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KeysFox
Joined: 05 Jan 2009
Posts: 137
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 Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 1:56 pm Post subject: Kikfox touring over size trailer |
 |
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Pete,
This is a great "question". It comes up routinely. It and related
questions deserve discussion.
Simply stated, most states list 102 inches as the maximum width UNLESS the
operator goes on line and obtains an annual oversize blanket permit. Each
state has its own laws in this regard of course. So you can trailer over
wide trailers.
Read on only if you care to. The permit process varies but in general in
the case or a slightly over wide trailer, permitting is the state DOT's
process to try to insure that folks are aware of what should be common
sense. Examples include, not towing oversize loads on unacceptably narrow
roads, night operation limitations, not towing on roads that do not allow
commercial vehicles or trailers such as parkways in New York, how to be
aware of old bridges built before current road width design criteria, as
well as to understand bridge vertical clearance issues. Of course trailers
have special equipment regulations, especially for brakes. It does not
mean that loads over 102 inches can not be towed on the state's roads but
more a matter of trying to assure that folks do it safely.
Having said that, in the real world towing something 108 inches in width
instead of 102 inches is generally much like driving a car at 60 mph in a
zone posted with a 55 mph speed limit. Unless your driving seems to be
hazardous to yourself or others the police don't seem to pay much
attention, although as we all know enforcement is largely at the
discretion of the officer.
Along coastal states, trailer boats well over 102 inches wide are fairly
common. In Florida as well as up and down I-95 thru Maryland the general
rule of thumb among those who trailer large sport fishing boats is that
rigs under 10 feet wide are not an enforcement issue. Because we get
rotten fuel economy, we see each other at gas stations off the interstates
a lot and compare notes. I have yet to run across anyone who still bothers
with an annual permit, if he is under 10 feet wide and not a commercial
hauler. Commercial haulers have to go thru commercial truck weigh
stations. As an aside, most of us avoid trailering when and where
congestion or road conditions might not be a good idea largely because its
a royal PIA to tow in those areas. If you have $200,000 in fancy
fiberglass in tow, you tend to exercise some degree of caution to protect
your own interests.
An ancillary question is , what about registering a 9 foot wide trailer?
If you read various state regulations, they generally make provisions for
oversize equipment that would be somewhat impractical to disassemble to
move on the road like a plane or boat. A common practice among experienced
trailer owners is to save money by registering their trailers in Maine and
Maine Trailer has repeatedly told me they have no problem registering a 9
foot wide trailer.
Lots of folks leave trailers in vacation areas or at second homes in
different states than their primary residence so police tend not to bother
with trying to determine if a trailer should be registered in the state of
primary residence.
Friends in the insurance business tell us that insurance companies
generally do not deny coverage if you are in an accident even if you broke
some law. Most accidents come with some sort of ticket for breaking a law
for at least one party involved. What insurance agents tell us is that if
someone costs an insurance company too much, or has too many claims the
company will raise premium or not renew the policy.
Bottom line, you can trailer a wide load. Getting annual permits MAY be a
good idea. Good trailering skills/techniques/judgement and good equipment
may be even more important.
One mans long winded opinion for what its worth.
BJ
| Quote: |
<pchristensen10(at)austin.rr.com>
BJ
I see your trailer is 108" wide. Is that width legal in every state?
Pete
Kitfox III, 912
Leander, Tx
On Dec 13, 2013, at 8:55 PM, bjones(at)dmv.com wrote:
>
>
> If I got Photo Bucket to work, not sure, there should be about 20 photos
> of the trailer used to take the Kitfox touring with tips in captions
> under
> the pictures for anyone interested in "Seeing The USA By Chevrolet And
> LSA".
>
> As time allows I'll try to get more photos up covering scenic flying
> places, tips on getting thru airports gates with a trailered plane post
> 911, tips on strapping and protecting the plane while towing, what to
> look
> for and avoid in motorhomes as tow vehicles, things to do to keep costs
> down while touring.
>
> BJ
> Kitfox IV 912 Warp Drive
> Roadtrek 190
> bjones(at)dmv.com
> http://s1205.photobucket.com/user/N154K/media/Kitfo%20Trailer/IMG_2761.jpg.html
>
|
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
_________________
B Jones
N154K
443-480-1023 |
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KeysFox
Joined: 05 Jan 2009
Posts: 137
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 1:56 pm Post subject: Kikfox touring over size trailer |
|
|
Pete,
This is a great "question". It comes up routinely. It and related
questions deserve discussion.
Simply stated, most states list 102 inches as the maximum width UNLESS the
operator goes on line and obtains an annual oversize blanket permit. Each
state has its own laws in this regard of course. So you can trailer over
wide trailers.
Read on only if you care to. The permit process varies but in general in
the case or a slightly over wide trailer, permitting is the state DOT's
process to try to insure that folks are aware of what should be common
sense. Examples include, not towing oversize loads on unacceptably narrow
roads, night operation limitations, not towing on roads that do not allow
commercial vehicles or trailers such as parkways in New York, how to be
aware of old bridges built before current road width design criteria, as
well as to understand bridge vertical clearance issues. Of course trailers
have special equipment regulations, especially for brakes. It does not
mean that loads over 102 inches can not be towed on the state's roads but
more a matter of trying to assure that folks do it safely.
Having said that, in the real world towing something 108 inches in width
instead of 102 inches is generally much like driving a car at 60 mph in a
zone posted with a 55 mph speed limit. Unless your driving seems to be
hazardous to yourself or others the police don't seem to pay much
attention, although as we all know enforcement is largely at the
discretion of the officer.
Along coastal states, trailer boats well over 102 inches wide are fairly
common. In Florida as well as up and down I-95 thru Maryland the general
rule of thumb among those who trailer large sport fishing boats is that
rigs under 10 feet wide are not an enforcement issue. Because we get
rotten fuel economy, we see each other at gas stations off the interstates
a lot and compare notes. I have yet to run across anyone who still bothers
with an annual permit, if he is under 10 feet wide and not a commercial
hauler. Commercial haulers have to go thru commercial truck weigh
stations. As an aside, most of us avoid trailering when and where
congestion or road conditions might not be a good idea largely because its
a royal PIA to tow in those areas. If you have $200,000 in fancy
fiberglass in tow, you tend to exercise some degree of caution to protect
your own interests.
An ancillary question is , what about registering a 9 foot wide trailer?
If you read various state regulations, they generally make provisions for
oversize equipment that would be somewhat impractical to disassemble to
move on the road like a plane or boat. A common practice among experienced
trailer owners is to save money by registering their trailers in Maine and
Maine Trailer has repeatedly told me they have no problem registering a 9
foot wide trailer.
Lots of folks leave trailers in vacation areas or at second homes in
different states than their primary residence so police tend not to bother
with trying to determine if a trailer should be registered in the state of
primary residence.
Friends in the insurance business tell us that insurance companies
generally do not deny coverage if you are in an accident even if you broke
some law. Most accidents come with some sort of ticket for breaking a law
for at least one party involved. What insurance agents tell us is that if
someone costs an insurance company too much, or has too many claims the
company will raise premium or not renew the policy.
Bottom line, you can trailer a wide load. Getting annual permits MAY be a
good idea. Good trailering skills/techniques/judgement and good equipment
may be even more important.
One mans long winded opinion for what its worth.
BJ
| Quote: |
<pchristensen10(at)austin.rr.com>
BJ
I see your trailer is 108" wide. Is that width legal in every state?
Pete
Kitfox III, 912
Leander, Tx
On Dec 13, 2013, at 8:55 PM, bjones(at)dmv.com wrote:
>
>
> If I got Photo Bucket to work, not sure, there should be about 20 photos
> of the trailer used to take the Kitfox touring with tips in captions
> under
> the pictures for anyone interested in "Seeing The USA By Chevrolet And
> LSA".
>
> As time allows I'll try to get more photos up covering scenic flying
> places, tips on getting thru airports gates with a trailered plane post
> 911, tips on strapping and protecting the plane while towing, what to
> look
> for and avoid in motorhomes as tow vehicles, things to do to keep costs
> down while touring.
>
> BJ
> Kitfox IV 912 Warp Drive
> Roadtrek 190
> bjones(at)dmv.com
> http://s1205.photobucket.com/user/N154K/media/Kitfo%20Trailer/IMG_2761.jpg.html
>
|
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
_________________
B Jones
N154K
443-480-1023 |
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| Back to top |
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SkySteve
Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 94
Location: Huntsville, UT
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 9:07 pm Post subject: Re: Kikfox touring over size trailer |
|
|
Pete,
Yes, great question.
BJ,
Great answer(s), on both issues. That helps us other old timers. Having pulled many farm type trailers down the road most of my life I have learned the best approach is to just keep going down the road like you know all the laws and you are most often left alone.
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
_________________
Steve Wilson
Huntsville, UT
Kitfox Model 1- 85DD
912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive
Convertible Nosewheel & Tailwheel |
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KeysFox
Joined: 05 Jan 2009
Posts: 137
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 12:19 pm Post subject: Kikfox touring over size trailer |
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|
Pete, Steve,
When I tow cross country, particularly thru oil industry boom country, I
frequently pass by hugely over size stuff taking up a full 12 foot lane
plus part of the shoulder. The drivers usually know what they are doing
and we co-exist nicely. The real issue is good equipment, driver ability,
experience and attention to when, what route and how he/she drives.
Therein lies the safety part.
Our little plane trailers and tow vehicles are miniatures by comparison to
real oversize stuff. None the less, not every driver is cut out for
towing. As Dirty Harry said, "A man has got to know his limitations."
Oh, there is a little trick to getting a Kitfox into a tight 8'6" wide
trailer that I should share. If the plane is getting close too scraping on
one side, roll both main gear tires up onto two slabs of plastic (like two
sets of kitchen cutting boards), then the plane can be slid easily
sideways at the main gear to clear the trailer walls as it moves in. If
needed spray a little silicon spray between the two cutting boards on both
sides first. This little trick has saved me lots of time and wing rash, as
I am trying to move the plane in as a thunder storm is blowing in and rain
starting to pour down.
BJ
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
_________________
B Jones
N154K
443-480-1023 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
KeysFox
Joined: 05 Jan 2009
Posts: 137
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 12:19 pm Post subject: Kikfox touring over size trailer |
|
|
Pete, Steve,
When I tow cross country, particularly thru oil industry boom country, I
frequently pass by hugely over size stuff taking up a full 12 foot lane
plus part of the shoulder. The drivers usually know what they are doing
and we co-exist nicely. The real issue is good equipment, driver ability,
experience and attention to when, what route and how he/she drives.
Therein lies the safety part.
Our little plane trailers and tow vehicles are miniatures by comparison to
real oversize stuff. None the less, not every driver is cut out for
towing. As Dirty Harry said, "A man has got to know his limitations."
Oh, there is a little trick to getting a Kitfox into a tight 8'6" wide
trailer that I should share. If the plane is getting close too scraping on
one side, roll both main gear tires up onto two slabs of plastic (like two
sets of kitchen cutting boards), then the plane can be slid easily
sideways at the main gear to clear the trailer walls as it moves in. If
needed spray a little silicon spray between the two cutting boards on both
sides first. This little trick has saved me lots of time and wing rash, as
I am trying to move the plane in as a thunder storm is blowing in and rain
starting to pour down.
BJ
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
_________________
B Jones
N154K
443-480-1023 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dan(at)rdan.com
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 1:21 pm Post subject: Kikfox touring over size trailer |
|
|
BJ,
How long is your trailer ? Much room from tip to tail inside?
Sent from my iPad
| Quote: | On Dec 15, 2013, at 9:07 PM, "SkySteve" <Wilson(at)REinfo.org> wrote:
Pete,
Yes, great question.
BJ,
Great answer(s), on both issues. That helps us other old timers. Having pulled many farm type trailers down the road most of my life I have learned the best approach is to just keep going down the road like you know all the laws and you are most often left alone.
--------
Steve Wilson
Huntsville, UT
Kitfox Model 1- 85DD
912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive
Convertible Nosewheel & Tailwheel
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=415641#415641
|
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
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|
| Back to top |
|
|
SkySteve
Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 94
Location: Huntsville, UT
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 2:09 pm Post subject: Re: Kikfox touring over size trailer |
|
|
BJ,
Ah, yes. The ol' "Two Cuting Board" trick. You know Dirty Harry would be smiling with a great big .44 mag grin!  
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
_________________
Steve Wilson
Huntsville, UT
Kitfox Model 1- 85DD
912A / 3 Blade Warp Drive
Convertible Nosewheel & Tailwheel |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
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