long loads on a stepdeck

Depends where you run. Some jurisdictions get really upset when you overhang a 53', flat or step. Of course you can always permit your overhang.

 

In some states you can haul a non divisible load (with some restrictions) on a 53 ft step with some overhang. Most states like Oregon and Washington will not allow that without a permit. An example of which is I hauled a 70 ft windmill blade from Oregon to California and I was Oversize in Oregon (needing permit, flags, signs, lights and pilot car on certain highways and in California had to take off all the signs and leave the tail end flags with no permit required. A divisible load cannot extend beyond the rear of the trailer and in Wshington state cannot extend beyond the front or rear of the trailer with a divisble load. So the rules are pretty messed up depending on where you are and where you are going.

 

Non-divisible loads are almost always permit-able in all states, but divisible loads, like we haul, every state is different, I wish they would get one set rule, it can be expensive if you can't permit and have to "drop" a partial and then either go back for it, or send another truck.

Just some of the ones that come to mind,

Washington, nothing off a 53, however, you can get a permit for an extra 2', I think it's 10.00

Ohio, nothing off a 53, no permit, must break load at site of infraction

Michigan, basically same as Ohio

Wyoming, allowed up to 60' TOTAL load length, for instance 53' trailer, 3' off front, 4' off rear is max legal

Nebraska, can permit over 53' but in my experience they don't kill you on enforcement if you are a bit over.

Florida, nothing off a 53' but you can buy a permit.

Personally, I have not had much trouble in other states even though some do have a "no overhang law" but some don't seem to bother to much, if you are just over a bit.

I think that some of this is in relation to the car haulers that are using a 53' high mount trailer, and then they have extension on both front and rear.

I have been stopped for overhang and left go because the vehicle was "on the deck, at least the wheels" Hay,Straw,wood etc, maybe looked at differently.

This is just what I have seen.

Stan

 

We are in a bit of a niche, because of what we haul, mostly oversize vehicles(ambulances,firetrucks,shuttle buses, school buses, other stuff that doesn't fit well on an autohauler) we wind up in some goofy positions, we really aren't a stepdeck, more like a modified lowboy, and we really are not like a car hauler or wedge.

So sometimes we get thrown in one category or another, all depends on who's looking at it. But we are usually over at least one end of trailer, and most times both.