Maximum Trailer Carrying Width - The Hull Truth

Great Laker · 03-23-2004, 08:23 AM

The boat I'm looking at has a 9 foot beam. Anything over 8.5 your supposed to pull a permit. Is Michigan out of whack with a 8.5 foot limit? Where can I find a list of max. widths alowed by other States.

I'm not worried about yanking around another 6 inches unless I get in an accident where the extra 6 inches becomes an issue. What do you guys do?

I hope the boat of my dreams isn't flashing away before my eyes!!

Garett · 03-23-2004, 08:54 AM

What's the big deal in getting a permit? Life sure is easy when you are legal!

But on the other hand, we do speed at times.

So ................

Last fall I recall reading a handfull of threads in regards to oversized loads - by the sounds of it a lot of guys here are doing it.

SeaJay · 03-23-2004, 08:55 AM

Most people with a 9 foot beam do not pay any attention to the regulations limiting width to 8.5 feet. By and large no one encounters any difficulties with tickets or getting pulled over for the 6 inches extra. I have not yet heard of any accidents where the blame was placed solely on the fact that the trailer was 6 inches too wide.

Mike Boehler · 03-23-2004, 07:25 PM

I've done a lot of research here in NY on this. This doesn't apply to you at all though. I would bet that you can get an annual permit like here. I certainly wouldn't pass on the boat of my dreams because of a permit for sure. NY's overwide (to 10') cost about $350 annually. And that's NY!! We suck our citizens dry here like nobody's business.
Anyway, check out this site, it's a list of your states trailering laws.

http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/lake_laws.asp
Hope this helps.

Mike

Great Laker · 03-23-2004, 08:45 PM

Thanks for the info.......much appreciated.....

I guess if trailering a 9 foot beam isn't allowed on the weekends, I'll just need to spend another day fishing and that breaks my heart

......NOT!!!!

Mike Boehler · 03-23-2004, 08:53 PM

Laker;
I wouldn't assume that the overwide status eliminates weekends. Here you can be overwide up to 10' and still trailer on weekends. Over 10' and you miss holidays, both days on either side of the holiday and so on. I would bet if you called them tomorrow, they'll tell you the deal with flags, strobes etc. and I'll also bet you can go on weekends. But let us know, I'm just guessing based on my experience.

Mike

Great Laker · 03-24-2004, 11:51 AM

Click on the link (hopefully it works) to bring up the permit required in Michigan.

Anythin over 8.6 needs permit. As long as the boat is over 8.6 it doesn't matter if the trailer is only 8.6. Still need a permit.

About $30.00/year. No weekends, daylight hours only.

http://www.mdot.state.mi.us/webforms/public/2266.pdf

First Light · 03-24-2004, 07:34 PM

Seajay: Bad advice. If you DO have an accident your insurance will be null and void.