What is the max width

7thswan · #1 03/27/13, 01:08 PM

That can go down the road, legaly,without needing an escort? Thank you.

farmrbrown · #2 03/27/13, 01:27 PM

In most states, 102 inches.
Although in Michigan, it's 96.

http://www.AITAonline.com/Info/Road/...%20Limits.html

coolrunnin · #3 03/27/13, 01:27 PM

You will have to look up the state/s you intend to operate in for specific laws. But here are Michigan's rules.

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%2...cl-257-717.pdf

davel745 · #4 03/27/13, 01:28 PM

I think 101 or 102 inches

7thswan · #5 03/27/13, 01:45 PM

Thank you all. I've been reading up on Tiny Homes and small Log cabins. Got an idea in my head:-0

empofuniv · #6 03/27/13, 01:52 PM

An ODW (over dimensional wide) load may not need an escort (often called pilot vehicles) depending on how ODW it is. It may only need permits. In CA 102 is legal width. Permits are usually issued by state transportation boards/offices/bureau/ or state troopers or highway patrols. HOWEVER....every municipality may have regulations of their own. OD loads might be curfewed during rush hour (evening or morning), or after dark, or not allowed to move on certain days or through tunnels or on toll roads. Remember general rule of thumb: You are restricted by the restriction that restricts you the most.

And be sure any measurements are absolutely correct. AZ permits read (or used to): permit issued for load of xyz dimensions - NO LARGER NO SMALLER.

Don't rely on maintenance manuals for dimensions either. I learned that lesson when we discovered that the MM for a CH-60 helo had wrong dimensions for width and the helo we were trying to send to boneyard at Davis Monthan was 10" too wide. After chasis was lifted onto the lowboy we took the wheels off of it. Thank goodness driver had outriggers and we had plenty of dunnage.

That MM had been in use for many years and no one had ever discovered it had the width incorrect until we had crane and riggers and truck and pilot cars and police escorts and a permit that read NO LARGER NO SMALLER on hand.

grandma12703 · #7 03/27/13, 01:54 PM

Different states have different rules. Like the above poster stated you may not have to have an escort but you may need a permit. I think Michigan is 96"

Like another poster posted be sure and check with your dept. of transportation in your state.

rambler · #8 03/27/13, 03:23 PM

Depending on the state, if it is -farm related- here in mn you can be 20 feet without needing a permit or escort. There are restrictions tho.

Sounds like this would not be under the farm umbrella tho.

In some states you can push 10 feet, but there are rules to follow.

Paul

**Kris in MI** · #9 03/27/13, 03:47 PM

Tongue in cheek answer: depends on the roads you're planning to travel.

We once hauled a log cabin 'play house' on a flatbed trailer 25 miles from our old house to the one we currently live in. The play house overhung the trailer on each side and pretty much took up a lane and a half. But we went all back roads and only had to cross one 'major' intersection (it had a 2-way stop and a blinky light). The only traffic we encountered was crossing that intersection.

Bret4207 · #10 03/28/13, 06:24 AM

Never, ever, EVER ask a question like this on an internet forum and expect the correct answer. EVER! I spent the last 6 years of my law enforcement career in the Commercial Motor Vehicle field. Oversize stuff fell into that category. I suggest, in the strongest possible terms, you contact whichever police agency in your specific area deals with over sized loads and get you information, in writing, from them. Do it right, retain all paperwork, follow the law to the letter. As I used to tell the truckers, "It's not the $250.00 ticket from us you have to worry about. It's Grandma Bluehair crashing into whatever it is you're hauling and making a call to her nephew Seymour Goldfarb or Goldfarb, Dewey, Cheatum and Howe, Esq. you need to worry about!"

grandma12703 · #11 03/29/13, 11:33 AM

I think it is ok to ask on here to get references where you should check, etc. This is a great place to find the info to find what you are looking for. I think saying to NEVER EVER ask on here is a bit harsh. There are folks on here like you Bret that do know the answer or where to find the answer. Most people know not to just take an answer at face value but investigate the validity. Sometimes you just need a direction to head in to find answers.

7thswan · #12 03/29/13, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandma12703

I think it is ok to ask on here to get references where you should check, etc. This is a great place to find the info to find what you are looking for. I think saying to NEVER EVER ask on here is a bit harsh. There are folks on here like you Bret that do know the answer or where to find the answer. Most people know not to just take an answer at face value but investigate the validity. Sometimes you just need a direction to head in to find answers.

Correct, someone like me, dosen't even know what I'm asking,terms I'd have to use, so I learn alot from what others have to suggest.

Bret4207 · #13 03/29/13, 12:32 PM

Well, I certainly didn't mean to be harsh. If you call you local State Police of Sheriffs station and explain what you need to know, I'm sure they could figure it out. Your question in the OP was fine, I've heard the exact question 100 times back when I was gainfully employed. Cops, for the most part, aren't stupid and mean, and if you do run into the rare idiot, get his supervisor and on up the line till you get what you need.

The point is, that you can get all sorts of crazy and simply wrong answers on a forum like this. You need to give the exact specifics to someone who understands just what it is you want to do to get the correct info. Most states have exemptions for farmers or agricultural operations or for non-commercial moves. You are in Michigan, so the police in Michigan are where you really nee to start, IF the move you want to do is in Michigan only.

haypoint · #14 03/29/13, 01:12 PM

You need a permit for oversized loads. Call your local MDOT office. They can provide route information, too. You don't want to end up in a construction zone that your load won't fit.
I have hauled many over sized loads, most legal. Many years ago, I was buying Allis Chalmers combines and hauling them 300 miles north to sell to the grass seed farmers. I got permits a few times, required WIDE LOAD sign and red flags at the corners. But, then I did a few trips without the permit, but with the signage. I needed an escort to cross the Mackinac Bridge. No problem, until I made the trip on a weekend and discovered that MDOT doesn't issue oversized load permits on weekends. They helped me out, but I wouldn't risk it again.
Another time I bought some equipment east of Sarnia ON, that was 10 feet wide. I had to apply for a Canadian Commercial Truck Driver license, get their oversized load permit and the Michigan OSL permit. Customs at the Border wasn't a picnic either. Crossing the Blue Water Bridge was an event I won't soon forget.

My son works at a place that builds roof trusses. I know they can haul up to 16 feet wide, but that is with an escort. Anything over 13 feet 6 inches tall requires a permit, too. When you get close to the limits on height, the hitch height becomes critical, because you need a level load.

MDOT has offices all over. I know of one in Newberry, Grayling and Grand Rapids.