The Real Legal Trailering Width

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 7:55 am

So, the way I read it in the brochure is that the Macgregor is legal in all 50 states with the 7'10"beam. Are there really states that have a maximum 8' towing width? Here in B.C., Canada the legal width is 8'6", and with a permit which is easy to get, I believe it goes up to 10', after that it gets complicated. Many people do tow those humongous 10' wide powerboats around and one guy told me he does it without a permit and has not been stopped yet, (gotta wonder what would happen if he got into an accident). Anyway I got to wondering how many extra inches would be available for the Mac beam if Roger took it it to the max. An 8'6" beam would provide an extra 8" and lilkely put an end to the heal-toe stepping between the head and forward port seat on the M. An extra 4" in the dinette seat would provide room for a set of wider shoulders as well. It may not sound like a big increment but 8" just might help make life in the boat more bearable, any thoughts? What is the max in your jurisdiction?

mallardjusted · Post by **mallardjusted** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 10:06 am

Terry,

I agree with you. I wonder who doesn't have the 8'6" allowance. That's what we have in Washington state (and with a permit I think it goes up to 9 1/2 or 10').

I wonder if the actual reason really has to do with fitting into standard shipping containers? I don't know what the standard width allowances are for them.

A little more width would be awful nice!

Matt

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 10:22 am

8 feet in the Empire state (NY) per the DMV website - you can trailer up to 112 inches with a permit, but the roads you can use are limited.

DLT · Post by **DLT** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 10:54 am

Kansas is 8'6", before you need a permit.

FreeStyle · Post by **FreeStyle** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 6:01 pm

Georgia is 8.5 feet exclusive of mirrors and accessories.

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:40 pm

There is a list put out by the NTB and as I recall about 1/2 limit it to 8' . I also believe / I'm guessing really,
it makes them easier to ship in trailers ?
AS for cheaters and cheating ?? Well not for me. Though I see people lying in front of their kids all the time and then they wonder why their kids are liars.

I also wonder how much weight that would add you would need a double axel for sure and cost additional for the boat.

Post by **Hamin' X** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 3:31 pm

While some states still list 8' as the max width, Federal law mandates that all interstate highways and most secondary roads must allow for 8'6" width, under threat of loss of Federal highway funds. The standard commercial trailer width is 8'6" and I doubt that there are many places that don't get truck traffic. There may be some local restrictions, though.

The containers are normally 8'6" outside width. Allowing for the depth of corrugations on the sides and for a wall liner inside, The interior width is probably closer to 8'.

Rich

Lease · Post by **Lease** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 4:34 am

Legal trailering width in all States in Oz is 2.5m (8'4"). I have heard of cops getting out the measuring tape.

Seems a bit odd that states would have different widths, particularly given the need to standardise truck freight.

Still, it was only back in the sixties that one had to change trains at the border between New South Wales and Victoria, because of the different track gauges.

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 6:58 am

Lease wrote:Legal trailering width in all States in Oz is 2.5m (8'4"). I have heard of cops getting out the measuring tape.

Seems a bit odd that states would have different widths, particularly given the need to standardise truck freight.

Still, it was only back in the sixties that one had to change trains at the border between New South Wales and Victoria, because of the different track gauges.

Well it goes back to each states right to govern itself . . . .there was quite a stir about 140 years ago about just that. . . .and some are still fighting it . .

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 1:49 pm

NY has completely different regs for trucks, pleasure trailers, and commercial trailers, so the Federal funds thing probably isnt an issue.

This is not an area to skirt regs imho....once you have that "one incident", all the regs will rear their ugly heads...

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 6:42 pm

I fine this PDF and site very helpful, used 2005 and now they have 2006!!!

http://www.trailerboats.com/images/elem ... _tow06.pdf

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

The Real Legal Trailering Width

The Real Legal Trailering Width