Can you drive in CA with your set up


Flatbedpete

Drivers unite
Just had it out with CA DOT on a question about spread axle equipment. Don't know when it went into effect and they won't tell me, but was told you can no longer operate a tractor with a Michigan spread axle or any spread axle trailer that does not have a sliding axle to bring them close together to only allow the 34 gross on tandems. I am going to look into this a little further with NHTSA and Federal on trucking law. I think if this is true, we can all file suit to force CA to become compliant on Federal trucking laws or they will have to sacrifice Federal Funding if they don't. Land of fruits and nuts. Cut them off and send them out to sea
 

Just had it out with CA DOT on a question about spread axle equipment. Don't know when it went into effect and they won't tell me, but was told you can no longer operate a tractor with a Michigan spread axle or any spread axle trailer that does not have a sliding axle to bring them close together to only allow the 34 gross on tandems. I am going to look into this a little further with NHTSA and Federal on trucking law. I think if this is true, we can all file suit to force CA to become compliant on Federal trucking laws or they will have to sacrifice Federal Funding if they don't. Land of fruits and nuts. Cut them off and send them out to sea

MORE Reason YOU should TURN DOWN - CA freight...
Boycott the state.......................

Hell with these people Pete, Their Laws and regulations are running rampid!
the DAY in which we all say HELL NO I WONT GO, is the day those pencil pushing, Stain Tie Wearing Pricks get the point....

REFUSE TO GO.............
NO WORRIES..........

Keep on a TRUCKIN.....
:beep:
 
Well I just have to agree with you, but better yet if CA is going to make laws like this, I think we all should be compensated for restriction of trade in a major class action law suit
 
Well I just have to agree with you, but better yet if CA is going to make laws like this, I think we all should be compensated for restriction of trade in a major class action law suit

On top of that Pete, We should send CADOT the bill for RECONSTRUCTION of our equipment... After all they are giving GRANT moneys to intra state Carriers so to see that ( they ) are emissions compliant. Thanks to the HELP of OOIDA in writing such Regulations...

We've GOT 4 CALI boardering States they can come pick their S&!& up in... With their COMPIANT / LEGAL Intra State carriers...
 
Pete, can't remember when they made that law, but I do remember it being talked about here a few months ago.
 
Not much you can do about this. States are allowed to set up their own laws, and if they are stricter than the Federal laws, they must be followed. Laws like this suck.

I wish, just for the sake of this industry, that laws were required to be uniform across the entire 48, but that will never happen because States are allowed to operate independently on most things, and it would be virtually impossible to change this.

Kind of like pulling a 57 foot trailer. I can't count how many times I snuck into Arkansas because I didn't want to deal with the hassle of buying their "trip" permit to get the trailer in there.

All States are different on so many things regarding trucking.
 
States do have the authority to enforce stricter laws, but those laws may not be applied to the national highway network. If Cali has passed such a law...it only applies to state highways and roads...not the national network. This is stipulated within interstate transportation regulations.

Will have to do some research on this law before commenting further.

-ss-
 
States do have the authority to enforce stricter laws, but those laws may not be applied to the national highway network. If Cali has passed such a law...it only applies to state highways and roads...not the national network. This is stipulated within interstate transportation regulations.

Will have to do some research on this law before commenting further.

-ss-

Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 might be a good place to start.
Covers interference with interstate commerce and unfair practices regarding shipping rates and hidden charges and rebates. (For future ref. on TRUCC Act)
 
States do have the authority to enforce stricter laws, but those laws may not be applied to the national highway network. If Cali has passed such a law...it only applies to state highways and roads...not the national network. This is stipulated within interstate transportation regulations.

A law may apply to certain types of regulations, but there are obviously many situations where this doesn't apply, or trucking companies wouldn't be forced to comply with all these different laws.

Trailer Length, overall length, axle weights, vehicle combinations, and the list is endless. You even have to follow a different determination of when daylight and dark driving rules apply (some states go by the exact time, some 30 minutes after, some 30 minutes before).
 
we got the same problem up north here in BC single trailer max 53' and lead 32' and pup 28' then in alberta single max 53' lead 53' and pup 53' and ive seen trucks with 3 trailers but not sure how long
 
I've discovered the bs Cali is pulling regarding spread axles. In the state regulation regarding trailer requirements...the language in the regulation refers to tandem sets. There is no specific language regarding spread axles - everything is worded as tandem sets. If you are unable to slide your spreads together...they can technically violate you. They are using specific language of the state regulation to enforce this bs.

-ss-
 
Been doing a bit of research as well. Apparently you CAN still run spread axle in California. Found this....

King Pin and Spread Axle Laws in California

Q: I was wondering if you could answer my question. Can you have a 10'/1” spread on the trailer in California, or do you have to run a closed tandem axle? Thank you. Rick in Ont. Canada

A: Provided by Ofc. James Portilla, California Highway Patrol, Commercial Vehicle Section, Sacramento, California:
You would not need to run with a closed tandem. A 10’/1" spread axle is legal in California. The maximum weight allowed for a 10’/1” tandem would be 40,000 lbs. Also, if the trailer is over 48 feet, you would need to maintain a 40' king pin to rear axle setting in order to comply with CA length laws.

One of the screwed up things about how California applies this rule is the inspectors will either round up or round down the distance between the kingpin and axle. If it's 8'6", they round up to 9' and the max weight is 40,000 lbs. Of it's 8'4", they round down to 8' and now your max weight is 34,000 lbs.

I hate running in California and avoid it like the plague if I can. But I'm not one to turn down loads just because I hate the area I'm picking up or delivering to. Prefer to have the reputation of someone who gets the job done, rather than one who turns down loads. ;)
 
Let's identify who's providing this information, and who's doing the enforcing. This officer is speaking in relation to weight regulations, not Cali's equipment regulation. I have looked at the actual Cali regulation regarding equipment requirements, and there is no spread axle information...only tandem sets is specified in the language. An enforcement officer in the field can easily determine from the language of the law that a spread axle unable to slide closed is not legal in Cali. This seems to be the situation in this thread's original post.

Perfect example why gov't has public relations individuals.

-ss-
 
it may not be legal i dont no but they do have that law its called selective inforcement, and they stopped you cause you look like a desperado, ( GRIN) seriously it is the law there but they have so many its hard to keep track.THATS WHY I DONT RUN CALanymore never did like the land of fruits and nuts or where the damn ground shakes just aint worth the time , agravation, and money AZ is as far as i go.
J.R. HORTON
 

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