If you are a driver, you always know where to find the height of your trailer. Trailer heights are clearly marked on the edge of the trailers, allowing the driver to easily see the height when approaching potentially dangerous bridges. The U.S. Department of Transportation`s Federal Highway Administration recommends clearing at least 14 minutes for bridges that cross highways. This avoids problems with semi-trailers and other oil rigs that have to stay below 13` 6″. In the state of Hawaii, commercial vehicles are allowed on all highways of the following maximum width (unless otherwise indicated on the road by sign): Standard: 9 feet or 108 inches. Metric: 2.74 meters or 274 centimeters. Your motorhome builder will tell you the amount of official documents. However, always check it yourself. We`ve created a helpful map showing you the legal height restrictions for trucks in Canada, the United States, and Mexico so you can determine if your loads are within the legal height or if a special permit is required.
Many bridges have a bright yellow sign with black writing informing you of the height of the lowest point of the bridge. However, if a bridge is larger than 16`6″, it usually has no signs. While the overall range for trailer height is between 13 feet 6 inches and 14 feet, many states have exceptions. Some allow a higher cargo, others shorter depending on the type of route. For example, the legal height in Louisiana is 14 feet on designated highways, but 13 feet 6 inches on all other roads. What are “other routes” and “designated roads” and when should drivers pay the most attention to? The maximum width limit for commercial vehicles on the NN and reasonable access roads was initially set at 102 inches, except in Hawaii, where it is 2.74 m (108 inches). (See discussion on reasonable access on page 12.) In order to standardize the width of the vehicle internationally, the latitude limit of 102 inches was interpreted to mean the same thing as its approximate metric equivalent of 2.6 metres (102.36 inches) (Figure 1). If you follow the general 13-foot-6-inch guideline, your vehicle may be restricted on certain routes. Always check with national and local authorities before traveling to make sure the maximum height of the trailer is within legal limits. There are also many tools for drivers to help them plan their trips, such as: Apps and websites that allow you to set a route based on your load level. Semi-trailers of a maximum length which were actually and lawfully circulating in a tractor of a State on 1 December 1982 may continue to circulate after that date. In order to clarify what these lengths were for each state, “grandfathered” semi-trailer lengths were established by regulation (Table 1).
Then, write down the altitude and place it on your dashboard or somewhere you can easily see while driving. This can help if you need to remember the exact measurements. If you`re traveling to another country, convert it to metric. However, there is generally no consistency in the margin that the road authority includes in the amount indicated. If you have doubts, don`t take any chances. It`s not worth damaging your motorhome and deck. The U.S. Department of Transportation does not specify a federal height limit, but there are general guidelines based on state regulations. The maximum total height is between 13 feet 6 inches and 14 feet.
There are also other considerations, including special exemptions for roads and bridges with lower ground clearance and various types of trailers to facilitate the movement of goods without a permit. A camel is a box, bridge or plate mounted behind the cab and in front of the fifth wheel coupling on the engine frame of a tractor to transport goods (Figures 13 and 14). Semi-trailer tractors so equipped on 1 December 1982 shall, during their useful life, be subject to the same national length requirements as any other combination of tractors and semi-trailers. The burden of proof of this legal effect on 1 December 1982 lies with the operator of the installation. All states have their legal height restrictions. This is a combined or total height of the trailer and load. A 5` low loader can carry an 8`6″ piece, giving a total height of 13`6″. If the example was 14 feet in total, you could legally move to the western states, but the eastern states would need a permit for excess height. Although more specialized trailers like a Double Drop can pull larger loads, they have the same limits of limiting the total height. Therefore, states may have unique regulations for road clearance, which may vary depending on the region through which a state highway passes.
For example, check out the California State Route elevation clearances for different roads below. They go as low as 13 feet 4 inches and as high as 14 feet. In the United States, there are no height restrictions for federal vehicles. There is no federal vehicle height requirement for commercial vehicles. Therefore, states can set their own height restrictions. Most height restrictions range from 13 feet, 6 inches (4.11 meters) to 14 feet (4.27 meters), with exceptions for lower clearance on some roads. It is a side-access semi-trailer with a drop-down chassis, designed and used for the transport and delivery of beverages in bottles or cans. The top coupling plate may extend beyond the front of the semi-trailer, but not beyond a semicircle with a radius from the hindawn to the front corner of the semi-trailer (Figure 10).
The minimum and maximum length of the trailer is 8.53 m (28 feet) plus the length of the elongated top coupling plate. States may not specify an overall length for a tractor and beverage semi-trailer combination. The minimum length that States must provide for trailers and semi-trailers in these combinations on the NN is 28 feet (8.53 m) (Figure 3). States must also permit the continued use of 8.69 m (28 ft 6 in.) semi-trailers in service on 1 December 1982, provided that the total length of the combination does not exceed 65 feet (19.81 m). The maximum total length of freight units that can allow double trailer combinations if a subsequent unit is longer than 28.5 feet is determined by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA). You`ll want to find the highlight of your motorhome. This will likely be air conditioning, but it could include ventilation or solar panels, depending on your device. Measure the height of your RV on the ground, then add the measurement of the air conditioner or other device. Bridge height signs are generally not accurate.
However, they almost always have a small margin of grace. The actual height of some bridges may be slightly higher than what the signs indicate. The altitude standard is usually for interstate travel, where tractor-trailers and other large vehicles spend most of their time. It helps these large oil rigs navigate freely in the interstate system without having to worry about overhead clearance problems. Maximum laws are created to protect motorists and public property. Know the maximum values. It is important to know the height of your motorhome. This is especially true if you have travel plans that affect the Northeast. Low clearance can cause thousands of dollars in damage to an RV.
Looking for a drop-down deck trailer for sale? Do you need service or spare parts for your trailer? Do you have questions about height restrictions? Hale Trailer has a knowledgeable team of representatives at each of our 12 trailer rental locations to assist you with all your trailer needs.