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I have a dumb question concerning trailer length

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by J. Patrick, May 19, 2011.

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  1. May 19, 2011 #1
    J. Patrick

    J. Patrick Bobtail Member

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    I'm finally upgrading to a 53' reefer and having done extensive research via the internet (and general observation) I've run into a dilemma.
    No where in my research have I found that is a Federal Law that says I must mark my trailer as a 53'---but through observation I've noticed that virtually most of the reefers out there have a big 53 on both sides of the trailer on the sides/both front and back.

    Now I"m not in favor of randomly putting stuff on my truck and trailer and much prefer the "clean" look.
    Can anyone point me in the right direction (and not just opinions please) of the law, ANY LAW, that says I have to do it?

    Many thanks. J. Patrick
     
    J. Patrick, May 19, 2011
    J. Patrick, May 19, 2011
    #1
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  3. May 19, 2011 #2
    Tankergirl80

    Tankergirl80 GangstaGirl

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    The only LAW I know of (keep in mind I know very little) is NY. I know NY requires you to have 53 on the trailer.
     
    Tankergirl80, May 19, 2011
    Tankergirl80, May 19, 2011
    #2
  4. May 19, 2011 #3
    123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    That 53 foot marking law is a has been.

    No longer required, to my knowledge.
     
    123456, May 19, 2011
    123456, May 19, 2011
    #3
  5. May 19, 2011 #4
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Yeah, years ago, prior to 53' ers, we had 48'ers. Well, when 53's were allowed by the feds and the states HAD to allow them, some eastern states demanded that they be marked as 53'ers. So since then, even though that rule has been discontinued, most manufacturers still put the 53' number on them. But check more, since the above poster says something about N.Y. still requiring it. Also, Tx. used to have some dumb rule about requiring "fish" on a trailer that hauled fish. Every so often, you'll see an old trailer still running around with "fish" on the back door.
     
    Allow Me., May 19, 2011
    Allow Me., May 19, 2011
    #4
  7. May 19, 2011 #5
    otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    I heard it was NY, CT, and PA....but I can't find anything supporting that...just know it was before...say 16 years ago when I first started driving these big trucks.
     
    otherhalftw, May 19, 2011
    otherhalftw, May 19, 2011
    #5
  8. May 19, 2011 #6
    Tankergirl80

    Tankergirl80 GangstaGirl

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    I found out about it years ago as well. I was driving for some crazy outlaw canuck out of ON and the trailer didn't have the 53 on it and I got yelled at a toll booth on the Thruway for it. But this was maybe '03-'04.
     
    Tankergirl80, May 19, 2011
    Tankergirl80, May 19, 2011
    #6
  9. May 19, 2011 #7
    BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

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    This is like putting the VIN number on truck. It is not required but some states like CO pull up your info from VIN first and if you only have DOT they have to go to a different screen. So it saves them time. Same with KY.

    Also pulled into a Kmart DC with MT and they would only take 53' trailers and it was not marked on trailer so the security gaurd took out his 10' tape measure and checked it.
     
    BigBadBill, May 19, 2011
    BigBadBill, May 19, 2011
    #7
  10. May 19, 2011 #8
    otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    Just the opposite of the rookies that buy a 75 foot tape to make sure the kingpin is at 40'...right?:biggrin_2552:
     
    otherhalftw, May 19, 2011
    otherhalftw, May 19, 2011
    #8
    123456 Thanks this.
  11. May 19, 2011 #9
    USMC379 PETE

    USMC379 PETE Bobtail Member

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    I was going to make a smart ###### comment that it is like the trailers that have "13'6" " backwards on them just in case you forgot how tall you were you can just look in the mirror.

    You could always just run it till you get pulled over for not having it on there then tell them to show you the law :biggrin_25512:
     
    USMC379 PETE, May 19, 2011
    USMC379 PETE, May 19, 2011
    #9
  12. May 19, 2011 #10
    Tankergirl80

    Tankergirl80 GangstaGirl

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    I was gonna say PM Dieselbear... but I see you can't. I'll hit him up and see if he's got any insight.
     
    Tankergirl80, May 19, 2011
    Tankergirl80, May 19, 2011
    #10
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