8'6" Beam????

[Wakeboarder83]

Hi everyone! I have a question about all this stuff I hear about not being able to trailer a boat if the beam is over 8’6”? is this true? And if it is how come I see so many boat’s being trailered around with beams larger than 8’6”? I’m looking for a 23-26’ center console fishing boat and most every boat that is over 24’ (with very few exceptions) is over 8’6”. Is there permits or something that you can get? <br />Anybody’s imput on this would be greatly appreciated.<br />Thanks, Brent

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 8'6" Beam????

102 inches (8'-6") is the maximum legal width for a vehicle and that includes the width of anything being hauled unless you have the proper permits. Check your state laws for other restrictions or buy a state trooper a cup of coffee and have him explain the rules.

 

[markvan]

Re: 8'6" Beam????

In Canada if you have farm plates on your vehicle and trailer you can tow just about anything you want, as long as you are able to convince the cops that your boat is used for farm business....maybe put the John Deere logo on it and give her a coat of green paint.

 

[beniam]

Re: 8'6" Beam????

W83<br />When going over 102 in wide-need a permit. In Pa that means a a route approved by the highway department,a flag vehicle in front of your vehicle, flags, travel during daylight only,wide load signs,time for approval before you get a permit.<br /> Be happy, enjoy life. Batavier

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 8'6" Beam????

Brent, I suggest you log onto trailerboats.com & read their towing guide. It's very helpful, if not a little overwhelming.<br />And yes, you see some boats over 8'6" wide being trailered, and most have special permits to allow this. But I am curious, where do you see "so many boats over 8'6"" being trailered? And how can you tell? In my experience, every cuddy or small cabin cruiser looks HUGE on a trailer, whether it is or not. Maybe you only think you are seeing overwides?

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: 8'6" Beam????

Most states require a permit for a wider beam. They need the revenue.

 

[JohnRuff]

Re: 8'6" Beam????

There is the law - and then there is the reality. <br /><br />The cops never stop you for hauling a boat that is too wide. But, if you have an accident, then you definately would be cited if a permit were required and you didn't have one.

 

[JohnRuff]

Re: 8'6" Beam????

2005 Towing Laws<br /><br />State Max. Towing<br />Speed (mph) Max. Trailer Length Max. Trailer Width Max. Trailer Height Max. Overall Length Weight Requiring <br />Trailer Brakes (lbs.) <br /> <br />Alabama 70 40’ 8’ 13’6” 57’ 3000 <br />Alaska 55 40’ 8’ 6” 14’ 75’ 5000 <br />Arizona 55 40’ 8’ 13’ 6” 65’ 3000 <br />Arkansas 65 53’ 6” 8’ 6” 13’ 6” 65' 3000 <br />California 55 40' 8'6" 14' 65' 30001 <br />Colorado 65 45' 8'6" 14'6" 70' 3000 <br />Connecticut 65 45’ 8’ 6” 13’ 6” 60' 3000 <br />Delaware 55 40’ 8’ 6” 13’ 6” 65' N/A <br />Dist. of Columbia 55 60’ 8’ 13' 6" 85' 3000 <br />Florida 65 40’ 8’ 6” 13’ 6” 65’ 3000 <br />Georgia 55 N/A 8' 6" 13’ 6” 60' 3000 <br />Hawaii 55 40’ 9' 14' 65’ 3000 <br />Idaho 65 48’ 8’ 6” 14’ 75’ 1500 <br />Illinois 55 60’ 8’ 13’ 6” 65’ 3000 <br />Indiana 55 40’ 8’ 6” 13’ 6” 65’ 3000 <br />Iowa 65 48’ 8’ 14’ 70’ 3000 <br />Kansas 55 45’ 8’ 6” 14’ 65’ N/A <br />Kentucky 65 N/A 8’ 13’ 6” 65’ N/A <br />Louisiana 70 40’ 8’ 13’ 6” 70’ 3000 <br />Maine 55 48’ 8’ 6” 13’ 6” 65’ 3000 <br />Maryland 65 40’ 8’ 6" 13’ 6” 55’ 3000 <br />Massachusetts 65 40’ 8’ 6” 13’ 6” 65’ N/A <br />Michigan 55 45’ 8’ 6" 13’ 6” 65’ 3000 <br />Minnesota 70 45’ 8’ 6” 13’ 6” 60’ 3000 <br />Mississippi 55 40’ 8’ 6” 13’ 6” 53’ 2000 <br />Missouri 70 N/A 8’ 13’ 6” 55’ N/A <br />Montana 65 N/A 8’ 6” 14’ 65’ 3000 <br />Nebraska 65 40’ 8’ 6” 14’ 6” 65’ 3000 <br />Nevada 65 N/A 8’ 14’ 70’ 3000 <br />New Hampshire 55 48’ 8’ 6" 13’ 6” N/A N/A <br />New Jersey 65 40’ 8’ 6" 13’ 6” 50’ N/A <br />New Mexico 75 40’ 8’ 6" 14’ 75’ 3000 <br />New York 65 48’ 8’ 13’ 6” 65’ 3000 <br />North Carolina 55 35’ 8’ 13’ 6” 60’ 4000 <br />North Dakota 70 53’ 8’ 6” 14’ 75’ N/A <br />Ohio 55 40’ 8’ 6” 13’ 6” 65’ 2000 <br />Oklahoma 65 40’ 8’ 6” 13’ 6” 65’ 3000 <br />Oregon 55 45’ 8’ 6” 14’ 65’ N/A <br />Pennsylvania 55 53’ 8’ 6” 13’ 6” 60’ 3000 <br />Rhode Island 65 48’ 6” 8’ 6” 13’ 6” 60’ 4000 <br />South Carolina 55 48’ 8’ 6” 13’ 6” N/A 3000 <br />South Dakota 65 53’ 8’ 6” 14’ 80’ 3000 <br />Tennessee 70 48’ 8’ 6" 13’ 6” 65’ 3000 <br />Texas 70 N/A 8’ 6” 13’ 6" 65’ 4500 <br />Utah 65 40’ 8’ 6” 14’ 65’ N/A <br />Vermont 65 45’ 8’ 6” 13’ 6” 65’ 3000 <br />Virginia 55 45’ 8’ 6” 13’ 6” 65’ 3000 <br />Washington 60 48’ 8’ 6” 14’ 60’ 3000 <br />West Virginia 65 40’ 8’ 13’ 6” 75’ 3000 <br />Wisconsin 65 48’ 8’ 6” 13’ 6” 60’ 3000 <br />Wyoming 65 45’ 8’ 6” 14’ 65’ N/A <br /> <br />1 Limit for trailer coaches and camp trailers is 1500 pounds.