Towing width rules?

Red Rider

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 10, 2002
Messages
124
For a number of years I have towed various boats between NC and Fla. I usually make five or six trips a year. The last two years I have been towing a 25' long with a 9'2" beam CC. No one (Police) has ever said anything about it. The three years before that, I towed a 27' cuddy with 8'6" beam.<br /><br />I have recently been looking at 25' Penn-Yan (fly bridge) with a 10'6" beam. (The wife and I are getting a little too old to be sleeping in sleeping bags under a canvas top and screen). Does anyone know where I can find out what the regulations are for NC, SC, GA, and FLA on the width I can tow.<br /><br />I am not worried too much about the weight. My Suburban and triple axle trailer will handle the load easily as 95% of the tow is on Interstate Highway.
 

bayman

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 2, 2000
Messages
669
Re: Towing width rules?

Oh boy, when I had a boat with a 10' beam I had to get a permit every time I towed it. What a pain!<br /><br />Here is where all of the updated boating laws are for every state:<br /><br /> http://www.nasbla.org/blas.htm
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,465
Re: Towing width rules?

You've Been towing Illegally for 2 Years..........<br /><br />The Federal Width Limit is 102"... 8'6"......
 

Red Rider

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 10, 2002
Messages
124
Re: Towing width rules?

bayman, thanks for the response, but theat site doesn't have the information I need.<br /><br />Bondo, you are mistaken. The federal width limit is a minimum for the designated system. States and provinces set their own size limits, for the non-desginated roads. Your state NY allows 102" on the non-designated state system, but many others only allow 96". <br /><br />And then there are always exceptions. Some of the midwest states allow farm equipment hauled on trucks exceed 102 inches without a permit or escorts. An example would be a farm tractor. If its "green" (farm use) there are few restrictions in Il. But if its "yellow" (construction) then restrictions do apply. This can be the case with the same model tractors, depending who ther are being shipped for/to. <br /><br />In some states you only have to have the load flagged (marked) up to 10 feet. Some places its up to 12 feet flagged and a permit. Over 12 feet you maye require an escort.<br /><br />These exceptions may also allpy to boats being trailered, which is what I am trying to find out about. I have been through the Weight /Ag Inspection stations in Florida and no one has every said a word about how wide the boat is. I have also had a SC State Trooper, park behind me on I-95 while I changed a flat tire on the boat trailer, that never asked either.<br /><br />But now for the good news. I have a gotten a copy of the regulations for the States, Provinces, and Mexico. It just covers the general regulations, but it has all the addresses for each jurisdiction as to get permits and farther information. I am going to write the following states and find out what they say. De, Md, Va, Tn, NC, SC, Ga, Fl, Al, Ms, La, and Tx, as I am now retired and I may hit the salt water tournement trail.
 

cc lancer

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 23, 2004
Messages
371
Re: Towing width rules?

Bondo, you are mistaken. The federal width limit is a minimum for the designated system<br /><br />Federal Law is 53'by 102", 99.5% of the semi-trailers now on the road are 102", the exception is some secondary roads in Ky., and I have not heard of anyone getting a ticket there.<br />Furthermore anything that hangs over the side of the 102" trailer must have banners on the front of the power unit and back of the trailer, and trip permits for each state.<br />Yes, states give lee-way for transportation of farm equipment, and commodities. Fla. is very liberal during peak season, concerning transpiration of produce.<br />From NC to Fla. the cops are very liberal on over width boats, from central Va. north to Canada it gets tough, unless it has changed, in the state of NY, tow chains must be crossed, But a lot of southern boys that go north get stopped.<br />If you like to dig, every thing is on FMCSA.gov,<br />web site, simple thing is to call one of the agency's that handle trip permits,they have all the info for each state and the cost.
 

NYMINUTE

Captain
Joined
Oct 6, 2003
Messages
3,298
Re: Towing width rules?

8'6" in most states without a permit last I checked.
 

broark01

Cadet
Joined
Jul 1, 2004
Messages
29
Re: Towing width rules?

And then there are always exceptions. Some of the midwest states allow farm equipment hauled on trucks exceed 102 inches without a permit or escorts. An example would be a farm tractor. If its "green" (farm use) there are few restrictions in Il.
Paint it green, you'll be fine... :D
 

bassnva

Cadet
Joined
Sep 5, 2004
Messages
25
Re: Towing width rules?

I know for a fact Georgia has a width of 96"...I got a ticket for this about 10 years ago pulling from Kinston NC to Lakeland Fla. I was at 100" back then ...only 4 inches over.
 

NYMINUTE

Captain
Joined
Oct 6, 2003
Messages
3,298
Re: Towing width rules?

I have found that the law enforcement is forgiving when the operator is observing and obeying the rules. Check with your state DOT for specifics.
 

piratedude

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 18, 2004
Messages
112
Re: Towing width rules?

pull trailer w/ a dually truck - the dual's make the a 11' boat look normal..
 

Expidia

Commander
Joined
Aug 26, 2006
Messages
2,328
Re: Towing width rules?

You are conversing with a 5 year old link here :)
 
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