[Musicman]

I know I could do the research myself, but I know I’ll get expert advice if I ask sooooooooo…

Besides California where I have to have my 10’1” spread axles closed to be legal with my 53’ step deck, are there any other states that have restrictions? If so, what states and what are the restrictions?

[GMAN]

You should not have a problem in any state other than California.

[mgfg]

They don't have to be closed in CA IF your trailer meets bridge.

Now your wagon will look like a dog humpin' a football but there are trailers running around with a 10' spread that are CA legal.

[Maniac]

In Ca its the king pin setting they look at, 41' seems to stick in my mind for some reason

[GMAN]

If you have a 53' trailer you will need to close the spread or move the tandems to meet their king pin requirement. As I recall, it is 41', Maniac. They measure to the rear axle. With a 53' trailer you will need to move the rear axle forward in order to make it legal in California.

[Musicman]

California is 40' from the king pin to the center of the rear axle with standard tandems. I believe it would be the same with a spread. I know Reitnouer advertised my trailer as CA legal with the spread closed… I haven’t measured, but will just for fun sometime in the next couple days.

I was wondering if FL would also be a problem because while many folks don’t know about it, and it is seldom enforced, FL is 41’ from the king pin to the center of the rear axle GROUP. I have no idea what that measurement would be with the axles spread, but I would think it would be in the neighborhood of 45 feet.

[Musicman]

Originally Posted by mgfg

Now your wagon will look like a dog humpin' a football but there are trailers running around with a 10' spread that are CA legal.

I think it makes sense to keep the spread closed as much as practical. I know it looks a lot cooler with the spread open, but it also chews up tires. If the load can be scaled without the open spread, I say leave it closed and save the rubber.

[Maniac]

Florida will let you be 68,000 on the four rear most axles, whether it is a spread or not, basically 12,000 on the steer and then 68,000 on the rest, never been bothered with my spread down there, I will say this though, IF you are overweight (gross) in Florida, you pay the fine at the scale, at least I had to and so did the others in the scale that day.

[GMAN]

Originally Posted by Musicman

I think it makes sense to keep the spread closed as much as practical. I know it looks a lot cooler with the spread open, but it also chews up tires. If the load can be scaled without the open spread, I say leave it closed and save the rubber.

I keep my tandem closed unless I need it to handle the weight.

[rank]

Originally Posted by Musicman

Besides California where I have to have my 10’1” spread axles closed to be legal with my 53’ step deck, are there any other states that have restrictions? If so, what states and what are the restrictions?

I asked this question back in '07 when I spec'd my first 53 from Wilson. The salesman sent me a "vehicle sizes & weights manual"...not sure of the source. I was only concerned with the north east states....and I'm sorry to say they are all different. And some of the wording is confusing (are we surprised?). FWIW, I spec'd the trailers with fixed 121" spread with a wheelbase of 41' from KP to center of spread. So far so good.

CT: You are allowed to travel max 1 mile off specified routes if you have a max of 43 from KP to center of the rearmost axle that has wheels in contact with road.
PA: 41' from KP to center of rearmost axle group on trailer.
NY: 43 from KP to center of rear axle group. Restricted to designated hwy system. Not allowed in NYC.
MD: 41 from KP to center of rear axle assembly. Also requires wide right turn signs on trailer. Rear overhang, as measured from the center of the rear tandem axles to the rear of the semi trailer must not exceed 35% of the trailer wheel base.
MA: No stipulations.
VA: 41 max from KP to center of tandems.
WV: max 37' from tractor rear axle to trailer first axle
NJ: 41 max from KP to center of rear tandem or center of rearmost axle.

Now for Canada:
NB requires a $50 annual permit for spreads over 72".
Any province west of Ontario hates spread axles the last I heard. Manitoba will let you permit 10'-1" for $20. Limited to 20,000 (10,000 per axle) even with permit

That's all I know. Head hurt yet?