53 Foot Trailers in New York City
 

Did you know this is not allowed except to get to Long Island via the Throgs Neck Bridge?

http://dot.state.ny.us/info/faq.html


I have a copy of the New York Vehicle & Traffic Law and section 385 is 22 pages long. I guess it is clear enough if you get a magnifying glass. :roll:

Right. Correct me if Im wrong,but 53's are not allowed in New York City. That is why you never drive for anyone who has 48's :P

What??? Ive been to NYC in a 53'... sent there by the company!! I wouldnt do it for fun :)

More info
 

It's amazing what you find when you are looking for something else.


http://www.dot.state.ny.us/traffic/desig_hwy.html


I see a lot of 53' trailers in the city. I didn't know about this law and it surprised me when I found out. I have a CDL B so it doesn't affect me.

This seems to be another one of those "unenforced" laws which is so great. The people who comply lose the work and there is no penalty given to the violators.


By the way I am looking for New York Intrastate HOS regulations. I didn't work today because I was out of hours. (I guess I could have come in and drove the truck to a rest area and parked it.) The boss wasn't too happy when I told him. My work week is usually five days so it never came up before. I still can't seem to find anything so I am assuming they are the same as Interstate.

There are restrictions in the 5 Burrows in New York concerning length and width (I believe). I recall a few years ago hearing some owner operators and drivers telling me about them getting tickets with the 53' x 102" trailers. They don't always enforce the laws. I spoke to one guy who told me that he received tickets totaling several hundred dollars. :shock: I would double check before going into the city. I have never had a problem with a 53' trailer, but when they need to generate revenue, WATCH OUT!! :P

Say thousands! :)
But they very rarely enforce it, except in Manhatten.
Anyhow, i got a warranty from my company, that they will reimburse any money, in that case.
One of our company drivers, got over $2,000 worth of tickets in

Brooklyn! :shock:

I'm doing NYC(except Manhatten), once, or if i'm lucky(money is good :) ), twice a week, so far so good... :roll:

But, besides that, from GW to Troghs Neck(about 10 miles), you've got more chance of an accident, than crossing an entire states of PA and OH! :shock: :D

Over $2,000? Whoa!! :shock:

We go to Manhattan, Long Island, etc... all the time. With a 53 footer. Never been stopped. I hear you are supposed to get a permit for Manhattan. Heck- most of the cops out there don't know the laws...

Ya gotta get to Jacob Javitz somehow...

If one wants to be compliant in New York City, he must use a 48' or less trailer. I think the maximum width is 96".

The only way a 53' trailer is allowed through New York City to Long Island is via I 95 South from the Westchester County line to I 295 to the Throgs Neck Bridge to I 495 East. This would mean that the George Washington Bridge is a no no for 53 footers. Since there are a couple of posted clearances of about 12'9" on the Long Island Expressway, he must either use the service roads in a couple of spots or use a short trailer.

By the way, there are no warnings about these "low" clearances to exit and go around. I would be surprised if anyone did exit because the posted (legal) clearance is supposed to be one foot lower than the actual clearance.

Gotta love NY. :roll:


Are there any other cities with these kind of restrictions?

I was wrong about using the LIE service roads to go around a low bridge! When the designated route is used, I 295 dumps into I 495 via exit 27. There is no exit 28 on the eastbound side. There is a 12"10" posted clearance on a bridge that crosses over the Long Island Expressway a couple hundred feet west of exit 29. :?

Someone should check if 53' trailers 13 feet high or higher are allowed on the Port Jefferson Ferry. :lol: