| Towing in California [message #237258] |
Fri, 24 January 2014 09:00  |
Larry
Messages: 2875
Registered: January 2004
Location: Menomonie, WI
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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For those of you that live in California or have towed in California, what is the speed limit for us towing a car. The signs posted along the interstate and other high traveled roads says something like this..."Cars with trailers, and Trucks" Speed limit 55mph. I'm not driving a car, I'm not a truck, and I'm not pulling a trailer....or am I? What does CHP say about us? The area that I am about to travel is 7% down grade and is heavily patrolled, and I don't really want to get into it with the CHP.
Thanks.
Larry 
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
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| Re: Towing in California [message #237270 is a reply to message #237258] |
Fri, 24 January 2014 10:25  |
George B.
Messages: 213
Registered: February 2012
Karma: 1
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In Calif. if you are towing the limit is 55 period! Without a trailer we get into the question does a GMC have 3 axles? If so the speed limit is 55. If not, same as a car.
I drive my GMC over 55 most of the time (well, if it lets me) and have never been stopped but that is just my experience. However, I have been ticketed driving over 55 with a trailer.
Now the huge tour bus guys must have an exemption as they are always at the max posted limit or above!
George Butts
Las Vegas Nevada
73 "Custom 26' Q" & 76 23' Birchaven
71 Honda 600 Coupe & 01 Tracker Toads
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| Re: Towing in California [message #237285 is a reply to message #237258] |
Fri, 24 January 2014 12:32 |
gbarrow2
Messages: 765
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lake Almanor, Ca./ Red Bl...
Karma: 3
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Larry,
I regularly tow a trailer or toad with the GMC in California.
55 is the law, however, what Manny said fits with my experience.
I once asked a neighbor CHP officer about exceeding 55 while towing. His opinion was that "most" officers wouldn't stop a towing motorhome unless they exceeded 65.
On 2 occasions I have had a CHP officer overtake me while towing at about 65 with the GMC.
One officer on a bike on 99 pulled up beside the driver window and signaled me to slow down and then went on his way.
The other time a CHP cruiser on I-5 passed me on the left and just as he pulled ahead he stepped on brakes to light up the lights. I slowed and he went on his way.
It was early morning just after sun up no other traffic at that point. Cold outside. He probably wouldn't have gotten out of that cozy, warm car for anything less than a major felony.
I've been lucky. Never met Jim Hupy's irrational officer.
I think CHP cuts some slack for motorhomes.
Have a safe trip.
Have a safe trip
Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing in California [message #237339 is a reply to message #237285] |
Fri, 24 January 2014 19:12 |
Ron77
Messages: 91
Registered: August 2012
Karma: 0
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I been to court over this, ticketed for being in the wrong lane (3rd from
right) and 63 mph towing. I had been forced out of my lane (second from
right) by a truck who reached a temporary construction site and moved over
without warning. Traffic was moving so fast on my right that I sped up to
try to get a chance for an open spot to get 63 feet of stuff back into the
second lane. The CHP gave me a ticket, I went to court. The CHP told his
story, I told my story including I mentioned that the 55 mph sign said "cars
towing or trucks" (I had a picture of the sign which I gave the Judge) and I
was neither. The Judge asked the CHP what the overall speed limit was and
the CHP said 65. The Judge said "The speed limit was 65 and you ticketed him
for 63". The CHP said Yessir. The Judge thought for a minute and said "Not
Guilty" on both counts. I think at 62 you're probably okay, but todays
semi-traffic is generally just under 60 to save fuel as well as stay clear
of speeding tickets. The advice to follow the semis is good advice, it's
less stressful than trying to pass all of them as well and your mileage will
be marginally better holding a steady speed..
Ron Johnson
77 Eleganza II
Escondido, CA
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of gene barrow
Sent: Friday, January 24, 2014 10:33 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Towing in California
Larry,
I regularly tow a trailer or toad with the GMC in California.
55 is the law, however, what Manny said fits with my experience.
I once asked a neighbor CHP officer about exceeding 55 while towing. His
opinion was that "most" officers wouldn't stop a towing motorhome unless
they exceeded 65.
On 2 occasions I have had a CHP officer overtake me while towing at about 65
with the GMC.
One officer on a bike on 99 pulled up beside the driver window and signaled
me to slow down and then went on his way.
The other time a CHP cruiser on I-5 passed me on the left and just as he
pulled ahead he stepped on brakes to light up the lights. I slowed and he
went on his way.
It was early morning just after sun up no other traffic at that point. Cold
outside. He probably wouldn't have gotten out of that cozy, warm car for
anything less than a major felony.
I've been lucky. Never met Jim Hupy's irrational officer.
I think CHP cuts some slack for motorhomes.
Have a safe trip.
Have a safe trip
--
Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach
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| Re: Towing in California [message #237373 is a reply to message #237258] |
Fri, 24 January 2014 22:16 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Larry, It sounds like you already got your answer, but I checked with Steve Ferguson, former San Diego County Sheriff's Deputy, and he said 55 is the limit for towing. Armand Minnie, who is also at the Saguaro Jetset rally at Casa Grande, and a former CA resident, said the same thing.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Towing in California [message #237392 is a reply to message #237258] |
Sat, 25 January 2014 00:21 |
Larry
Messages: 2875
Registered: January 2004
Location: Menomonie, WI
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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OK, Thanks all for the many responses. Looks like I will be driving at or under 60mph while in CA. It's OK, we really booked it coming out here trying to stay ahead of a below zero cold front that followed us. Looking forward to taking it easy for a while. I know the rest of the country is suffering, but here in Yucca, CA. the temps have been in the 60 & 70's. Just beautiful!!
Thanks again to all....
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
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