Retired JSO
Florida
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Many have questioned the ability to tow 2 trailers in Florida. Even our local DOT supervisor could not produce the statute. I see them all the time double towing so I guess the FHP looks the other way.
Today after a long search, I finally found the Florida double tow law regarding non commercial vehicles. FLA DOT LAW
Motor Carrier Compliance
Recreational Vehicles
Florida statutes require that non commercial vehicle combinations consist of no more than two units and such combinations may not exceed a total length of 65 feet.
F.S. 316.515(3)
Drivers of recreational vehicles are exempt from the requirement to obtain a commercial drivers license.
F.S. 322.53(2) (d)
Florida statutes are available at:
http://www.leg.state.fl.us
65' maximum length
Florida statute limits the overall length of a 'motor home' to 45 feet exclusive of bumpers and safety devices. F.S. 316.515 (15)
Florida statute limits the length of a 'private motor coach' to 50 feet, exclusive of safety devices. 316.515 (9) In combination, the vehicles' overall length cannot exceed 65 feet and only one trailer can be towed. 316.515(3)
Florida statute limits the length of a' travel trailer' to no more than 40 feet. 320.01 (1)(b)1
Florida statutes allow only one trailer to be towed. 316.515(3)
From the Statute
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The Texan
Summer: Cascade, Idaho - Winter: A Warm Climate
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Dot is not interested in RVs, except on certain roads, so that is why they ignore them. However, FHP is a cat of a different breed. Some Troops will enforce all laws on RVs with vengeance and then some could care less about RVs, but focus on some other sector of violators. I have watched FHP make a RV triple tow unhook, wait for a tow truck to remove the 3rd unit and then hand the RVer a citation. It all depends on the CO of each Troop and how gung-ho the trooper is. I have, over the years I was a LEO in Florida, seen DOT/FHP/CO/City combination safety/weight inspections include all RVs and in several instances, focus on RVs, so they are not immune, just because they are an RV.
Bob & Betsy - USN Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 & FT Class of 2002
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NORM WADDELL
PENSACOLA FL 32514
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It is very pleasant to see
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and not
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L NORMAN WADDELL
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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It's a very often ignored regulation in MOST states. Even if you can tow double legally the length often is NOT legal but it's somewhat rare to actually be arrested for it. Problem is that when you ARE you could have a real problem if you're a couple of hundred miles into the state in question when it happens.
2004 F-250 SCREW Long Bed (new)
OR 2004 F-150 HD (85,000 towing miles)
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Not that I ever plan to go to Florida (or anywhere else East of the Mississippi), but thank you for the statutory references. It is great to see facts instead of guesses and generalizations.
* This post was
edited 11/03/09 08:47pm by an administrator/moderator *
CM1, USN (RET)
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Specularius
Deville, La
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I just drove from the Orlando area to Louisiana this past Sunday. I witnessed 2 different 5th wheels with a small trailer with a golf cart loaded on it in tow behind the 5th wheel in Florida. One going south on I-75 and one going East on I-10. I was surprised to see them. The one on I-10 had just passed an enforcement area where six state troopers were pulling motorist over and the double tow made it past them with no problem.
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Medicine_Man
Lakeland, Fl 33803
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A 5er falls in a different category than TT because of the way it hooks to the TV. I think it can pull a trailer but has to stay within the gross length.
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wagon217
Florida
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Great bit of information! My vote would be to move this to the towing forum and make it a sticky.
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Medicine_Man wrote:A 5er falls in a different category than TT because of the way it hooks to the TV. I think it can pull a trailer but has to stay within the gross length.
Recreational Vehicles
Florida statutes require that non commercial vehicle combinations consist of no more than two units and such combinations may not exceed a total length of 65 feet.
F.S. 316.515(3)
That seems pretty clear, NO double towing in Florida.
Enforcement is something else, I won't go there.
Moderator, thanks for the clean-up.
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