noteven Posted October 27, 2018 Report Share Posted October 27, 2018 I have an older AmeriDeck lift in inventory. It fits crossways back of cab on the deck of my truck. I could carry a bike or two. This machine is 8’11”, with the 5” over on the right hand side. The bike(s) would not stick out either side - they would be completely fit behind the cab. Will I be thrown in jail for 5” overwidth equipment? "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big5er Posted October 27, 2018 Report Share Posted October 27, 2018 A smart is 106" . Doubt you would have anymore problem than everyone hauling a smart car. MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~ 2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 2014 smart Fortwo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkoenig24 Posted October 27, 2018 Report Share Posted October 27, 2018 The extra width on a Smart is 2" on each side. Putting 5" on one side will be more noticeable. If another driver some how "drifts" into you (regardless of on or off road), you can expect the overage will be noticed. You're not likely to be "thrown in jail" BUT, you're rig may well be sidelined until you get an over width permit. I'd be especially concerned in truck stops and rest areas where there's NOT a lot of space between vehicles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve from SoCal Posted October 27, 2018 Report Share Posted October 27, 2018 RV's are allowed to have shades extend from the side of a 102" coach body, the 5" may be well inside the mirror so not a big deal width wise in parking. If your truck has west coast mirrors they can stick out quite a bit, aero mirrors not so much. Steve 2005 Peterbilt 387-112 Baby Cat 9 speed U-shift 1996/2016 remod Teton Royal Atlanta 1996 Kentucky 48 single drop stacker garage project Pulls like a train, sounds like a plane....faster than a Cheetah sniffin cocaine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted October 27, 2018 Report Share Posted October 27, 2018 Mirrors are safety equipment and are exempted from the 102" limit. Steps and wheel nuts are also safety equipment. A load like the Smart is not. Please click for Emails instead of PM Mark & DaleJoey - 2016 Bounder 33C Tige - 2006 40' Travel SupremeSparky III - 2021 Mustang Mach-e, off the the Road since 2019 Useful HDT Truck, Trailer, and Full-timing Info atwww.dmbruss.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moresmoke Posted October 27, 2018 Report Share Posted October 27, 2018 I would be hesitant to install something on my truck that is over width. With the smart, or in my case a Gator, if you ever do get found out you can unload and get on with life. Any way the lift can be narrowed up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted October 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2018 Ya Moresmoke the platform itself can be shortened by 5” without having to alter the hoist section by sectioning the platform in the middle. I have the zip cutter skills but not the welding skill to weld the longitudinal frame tubing which is structural. All my “welders” are still occupied by a late harvest this year. This machine can load bikes, smart or atv or whatever up to 2000 lbs. "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted October 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2018 The 5” bit of platform is inside the mirrors and visible in the right hand mirror from the driver seat. As others mentioned it is hardly wider than the 8’6” plus awnings and grab handles trailer. I’m not a “see if I can fit” parker annyways I will park way over dere and enjoy a walk. "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted October 27, 2018 Report Share Posted October 27, 2018 5" too wide is 2.5" a side. Just about the same as a Smart. I doubt it would be noticeable, but if you shaved it down, then it can never be questioned. Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance A Lott Posted October 27, 2018 Report Share Posted October 27, 2018 Dont forget that 11" over in some states and local municipalitys, and is not something you can fix to get back on the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted October 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2018 8’11” overall width. The 5” is all out the right side. The left side lines up with the outside dimension of the truck body. "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad & Jacolyn Posted October 28, 2018 Report Share Posted October 28, 2018 If I had any concerns about it I would just wait for the 'welders' to become available and do it then. JMHO. Brad Brad and Jacolyn Tucker the Wonder dog and Brynn the Norfolk Terrier 2009 Smart "Joy" 2004 VNL630 "Vonda the Volvo" 2008 Hitch Hiker 35 CK Champagne Edition VED12 465 HP, Freedomline, 3.73 ratio, WB 218" Fulltiming and loving it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted October 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2018 19 hours ago, Lance A Lott said: Dont forget that 11" over in some states and local municipalitys, and is not something you can fix to get back on the road. Lance - are there roads limited to 8’ not 8’6”? My trailer is too wide then too. If I run the Garmin Deezil in truck mode it warns of dimension issues. "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance A Lott Posted October 28, 2018 Report Share Posted October 28, 2018 AAA site lists Texas(, a mistake?), New York and Tennessee as 8'. Interstate and federally funded roads are 8'6" I just saw a good write up the other day but I don't remember the site it had to do with over size permits and referenced 8' local roads. I posted a link sometime ago to a better site but can't seem to find it. Some states seem to have smaller trailer size when pulling with a moter home than with a truck. my concern with a truck that is built over size is what do you do if the officer is having a bad day, I once gave a crying women on her way to her final divorcé hearing a speeding ticket because my training officer was standing behind me. When we got back to the car he asked me if I really had to give her the ticket. I looked at him and said now you say something? That was in the early 90's and I still feel bad. I think I found it. https://www.rvtripwizard.com/rv-info/state-road-laws.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyA Posted October 29, 2018 Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 Interesting data in the length. Many states in the rvtripwizard show the maximum trailer length as 28'6". From what I have seen of the trailers at rallies and in random campgrounds we are all over the length allowed in the trailer category for these states and in many cases exceed the maximum overall length. While one could get a ticket for exceeding these length figures I personally do not know of anyone non-commercial that has, for example, being written up in Virginia for pulling a 40' fifth wheel RV with the 28'6" maximum still on the books. I asked my LEO son about the trailer length restrictions. He gave me sort of a blank look and commented "off the record" those numbers come from outdated laws that the State Legislature just doesn't address unless a strong lobby comes forward with a campaign to change the old laws - the time and expense of changing the law exceeds the importance with all their new bills (laws) that they try to pass during each session. Therefore the old laws are simply ignored by the majority of LEO's. An example: In Memphis Tennessee, it is Illegal for a woman to drive a car unless there is a man either running or walking in front of it waving a red flag to warn approaching motorists and pedestrians (True - it is still on the books). Here is another law also still on the books (and, technically enforceable) in South Carolina: When approaching a four way or blind intersection in a non-horse driven vehicle, you must stop 100 ft from the intersection and discharge a firearm into the air to warn horse traffic. LOL, I can imagine what would happen if one did do that! It would make an interesting court case for sure! My guess is the 28'6" maximum trailer length law was written and passed in the '40's when a 30' travel trailer simply did not exist nor did the current Interstate highway system. (unless you were Lucile Ball and Ricky Recardo with the Long, Long Trailer 😀). As for the 8'11" width, I would bet money that you would not be stopped and ticketed unless you were involved in an accident and a lawyer decided to use the width against you to escape liability for the other party. IMHO, length issues are where things get scary with our rigs. An inch off of specs can shift the liability to our court very easily. But, I can ease your concerns by selling you a gallon of my invisibility paint at a reduced price of $800 (plus S&H of $99.97) Anything it is in or on will become invisible 😎. Randy, Nancy and Oscar "The Great White" - 2004 Volvo VNL670, D12, 10-speed, converted to single axle pulling a Keystone Cambridge 5th wheel, 40', 4 slides and about 19,000# with empty tanks. ARS - WB4BZX, Electrical Engineer, Master Electrician, D.Ed., Professor Emeritus - Happily Retired! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big5er Posted October 29, 2018 Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 43 minutes ago, RandyA said: My guess is the 28'6" maximum trailer length law was written and passed in the '40's when a 30' travel trailer simply did not exist nor did the current Interstate highway system. (unless you were Lucile Ball and Ricky Recardo with the Long, Long Trailer 😀). Randy, the law on 28 1/2 ft trailers is alive and current...not an antigue. Look here and here for the 28 ft trailers. All I can speak for is Texas and the Federal regs. Texas limits commercial trailers to 59 feet.....OR....a pair of 28 1/2 foot'ers, but there is no overall length for the combination of trailer(s) and tractor (commercial vehicle). The Fed Regs also allow the pair of 28 1/2 ft'rs and have a list of grandfathered single trailer lengths by state. In Texas non commercial trailers are not restricted by trailer length since the entire non commercial combination is limited to 65ft. MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~ 2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 2014 smart Fortwo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve from SoCal Posted October 29, 2018 Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 54 minutes ago, RandyA said: In Memphis Tennessee, it is Illegal for a woman to drive a car unless there is a man either running or walking in front of it waving a red flag to warn approaching motorists and pedestrians (True - it is still on the books). I think that law is darn good and still should apply! Steve 2005 Peterbilt 387-112 Baby Cat 9 speed U-shift 1996/2016 remod Teton Royal Atlanta 1996 Kentucky 48 single drop stacker garage project Pulls like a train, sounds like a plane....faster than a Cheetah sniffin cocaine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big5er Posted October 29, 2018 Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 3 minutes ago, Steve from SoCal said: I think that law is darn good and still should apply! Steve But Steve, that's a damn good way to get run over MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~ 2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 2014 smart Fortwo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dollytrolley Posted October 29, 2018 Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 4 hours ago, Steve from SoCal said: I think that law is darn good and still should apply! Steve Steve.....that law was passed by a ex-wife....... gulp 🙃 Drive on......(wave that flag fast....) 97 Freightshaker Century Cummins M11-370 / 1350 /10 spd / 3:08 /tandem/ 20ft Garage/ 30 ft Curtis Dune toybox with a removable horse-haul-module to transport Dolly-The-Painthorse to horse camps and trail heads all over the Western U S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted October 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 It should be amended to be “ driving and texting/checking Facebook” anyhoo... I’ve towed 8’6” wide trailers all over the western US with my foreign plates you would think I would be a target for a chat at least. So far my only personal interaction with on duty US law enforcement inside the county has been showing up at a full restaurant while riding my bike and having 3 CHP motor officers ask me to share their table and talk motorcycles. Maybe truck patrol is on the lookout for Orange bobtails and paint horse multi vehicle convoys so I am slipping through the dragnet? "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance A Lott Posted October 29, 2018 Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 I doubt theres any dragnet. Most goverments dont wont to be known as antie tourist. Of course you might run into a officer whose dog ran off to his wifes boyfriends and he found it in his camper and by the time he got the dog back he was late for his shift. And then he saw you. I dont know if you hsve to have your vehicle inspected or not but the shop I use is run by friends of over 40 years and I would never ask them to put a sticker on a vehicle I knew to be illegal. They would spot 5" anyway and not inspect it. Then it would be expensive to fix. In Vermont if you fail a inspection the reasons are entered into a computer that every inspection station is connected to as well as every police department. They have to certify that the reason for failure has been fixed even if the station was not the one who failed you Where it might cause you a problem is if you are stoped for something else.Some officers seam to think once they are out of the car they might as well make it worth there while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted October 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 Well I think I will shelve this configuration and project till after snowbird season. After all I would never venture near Chad or Phil’s neck of the woods without making radio contact to grab a coffee or lunch. And there we would be, awkwardly looking at a blatant example of a flagrant flaunting of regulations, while making small talk... I couldn’t put them in that position....🙃😀 "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance A Lott Posted October 29, 2018 Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 I am sure this verys but what is the consequence for a oversized vehicle? Is it the same as oversize load? Cival or criminal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyretired Posted October 29, 2018 Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 In the commercial world driving an oversized load without a permit is very expensive if caught. I suspect the same is true for recreational uses. Randy 2001 Volvo VNL 42 Cummins ISX Autoshift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big5er Posted October 29, 2018 Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 3 hours ago, noteven said: Well I think I will shelve this configuration and project till after snowbird season. After all I would never venture near Chad or Phil’s neck of the woods without making radio contact to grab a coffee or lunch. And there we would be, awkwardly looking at a blatant example of a flagrant flaunting of regulations, while making small talk... I couldn’t put them in that position....🙃😀 If you buy me enough Dr. Pepper you might could sneak away while I go to the restroom MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~ 2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 2014 smart Fortwo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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