Hotshot length laws.

[@michaelmoss5492]

I see a lot of cab chassis 3500’s for sale that have aftermarket beds put on them such as CM truck beds that are flat on top but have storage boxes underneath and goose neck ball installed on top. Before I buy one of these I need to know if those type beds make them trucks and therefore have to meet the 65 feet restriction. After watching this video I stopped looking for dually trucks and started only looking for Chassis cabs and don’t want to make a mistake of getting one of these chassis cabs and later find out that since an aftermarket bed was put on it I’m now it’s considered a truck vs tractor. Thanks

[@pierrest.claire308]

This info and video are underrated! Good insight, legally sound and plenty of info to sink your teeth into.

[@therealtruckingguy]

Thanks for watching

[@bluexiong3492]

I'm looking to getting of big rig and getting into hot shot, this is good info

[@XSteele]

Cab / chassis or remove pickup bed, pull as long as you want (except Indiana). With PU bed intact, 65' limit (55' in Indiana) Bottomline

[@luisarodriguez9566]

We’re will you sleep if you remove the bed ??? Now you have another problem doesn’t you ? Why just not get a over length permit it’s like $250 for 3 months

[@khashaa1]

Good video! I appreciate the content about the business.

[@therealtruckingguy]

No problem thanks for watching

[@Sweatygaragemods]

Just purchased a 2021 Ram 4500 60” CA and plan on pulling a 45’ trailer . Tried the tractor route and FL is saying it’s not possible.

[@therealtruckingguy]

All u have to do is run with no bed on the truck and ur good

[@Sasquads]

A mega cab is the exact same length as a Ram long box crew cab.

[@bartman8876]

Mega cab is forced short bed to keep the length down. The crew cab and mega cab are same length

[@franksmythe6969]

Thank you. I was gonna leave the same comment.

[@eugenemorgan4407]

great info!

[@BrandonLeech]

Tow Piglet did a video awhile back on this. He figured out that Big Tex was the only brand he could find that made a 40 footer with a shorter 8 ft neck that kept it legal on the 65' law with a long wheelbase crew cab pickup truck. Most of the other trailer makers have a neck closer to 9 feet as I understand it which is asking for it. With a cab and chassis or tractor trailer setup I believe that increases your limit to 75 feet pretty much everywhere including Indiana. Not sure how they get around the 60 foot deal in IN or WI though. You'd have to chop the deck down to 34 or 35 feet or run a regular cab pickup so I think a lot of guys just scoot around that one carefully in those states. Too bad all states can't all just agree on such nonsense to make everybody's life easier. The other thing you have to be careful with is the CA bridge law. 40 feet from the kingpin to the center of the rearmost trailer axle and hotshot trailers all have fixed axles of course, so do your homework on that one before you buy anything if you plan to operate in CA (or RI). If your trailer is legal in CA or RI it's legal in all other states and this is part of the reason all 53 ft dry vans have sliding tandems.

[@michaeltaylor2631]

how does taking the bed off the truck make it shorter?

[@therealtruckingguy]

It doesn’t It’s just a stupid law where it makes it like a semi tractor instead of a pick up truck then

[@Tharealdreysonvoorheez]

Very informative video. Thx!!

[@caidenstyles2644]

Thank you thank you thank you 🙏🏻

[@therealtruckingguy]

Thanks for watching

[@ictpilot]

How's everything going Aaron? Still enjoying Florida? Just came across your channel.

[@therealtruckingguy]

Ya man still living life how u doing ?

[@ictpilot]

@@therealtruckingguy Hanging in there. Still doing the RV thing, got a 3/4 ton gas, towing with it, all I could find. Saving up for the new 1 ton diesel RAM. Tell the Boss I said hi and you come through my neck of the woods, beers on me.

[@taylor_81]

What about a 2022 Dodge Cummins crew cab with a 40' PJ Trailer? This is the setup I wish to run and I've been searching and searching this lenght but can not find anything on what that lenght might be. I do not wish to go the remove the bed and convert it with this truck, but future trucks I will.

[@therealtruckingguy]

U will be over length in most states on the 65 but they really only give u a hard time in the 60ft states

[@fritzduval]

Hard cold facts....can you do a video regarding deleted tracks and if DOT will even care?

[@therealtruckingguy]

You bet

[@fritzduval]

@@therealtruckingguy my man!

[@Brad12887]

So even with a CDL, you still can’t be longer than 65 feet? Why? Is it because it’s not a semi? If I had a 3500 Ram dually mega cab with a 40 foot, would that be fine?

[@rouxdogee]

Thanks for taking the time to provide such detailed info. I'm currently waiting to take delivery on a 2 door ram 5500 with a 12' bed and a daimond C 48' step deck. My overall length is going to be 64' and some change. Staying under 65' can I still run a max 4' hang off the rear without a permit?

[@therealtruckingguy]

Yes

[@danielsmith406]

Can you do a cab and chassis set up for a stepdeck 53 ft

[@therealtruckingguy]

Yes

[@XSteele]

Absolutely

[@MrKThomas1976]

Thanks for the info 👍🏼

[@darrylm3627]

Great Tips Good Stuff 👍😀

[@rctjacksonville]

I run a 2019 F350 dually with an 8ft bed and pull a Lamar 40ft low flat deck drive over and it measures 65' 1", how? The Lamar has a short Gooseneck that is about 9.5 inches shorter than PJ, Big Tex, Gator Made(The longest Gooseneck) and others. I wish I could take credit for the search yielding that when I bought it, but it was just dumb luck it turned out Lamar is the shortest Gooseneck in a new 40ft.. I have not been officially measure by DOT or Troopers, but checked it myself when I saw Nattily from Hot Shot Adventures do a video on her new 2022 F350 being over length by about 4 inches. Clad guys like you are doing these videos, really helps the average Joe Hotshot.

[@therealtruckingguy]

Thanks for watching

[@kidjay76]

I’m at exactly 66ft but I like my bed Damn it😂

[@carolinasouthernoutdoors7192]

Me 2 bro!!!! 😂 I’ll just purchase the permits for Florida

[@JR-eq4pz]

Thinking bout getting a ram 5500 with the hauler bed setup. Would I be legal with that setup pulling a 40ft trailer?

[@therealtruckingguy]

If it has a bed that can haul something on it can be in violation in some states

[@rctjacksonville]

There is no real advantage in a 5500 if your running non-CDL Hotshot. You have to scale under 26K no matter what.A 3500 and a 40ft flatbed or low deck is going to have a GVWC and in most cases is only going to allow about 10K cargo. Most people buying 40s are de-rating them to 12K because a 3500 has a GVWR of 14K making for a GVWC of 26K. The 5500 as a GVWR over 19K which means your trailer can only have a GVWR or 6K, which can't happen as the trailer weight is more then that amount. If your a CDL HotShot on that 5500 your limit is going to be north of 45K GVWC, basically your a tractor trailer, so snatch the bed off if it has one. Here is another piece of experience, if you are non-CDL and getting into HotShot wondering if CDL is better, do the math. While there are some 40K trailers out there, most 350s and 3500 will be at the very max of what is capable to tow when you get that heavy. Even 4500 and 450 are maxing at that point. The jump to 5500 is very expensive and that 40K trailer is not given away either. Running under 26K also allows you to run safer, last longer, less fuel and in most cases the insurance is cheaper. This is why I say if your CDL, buy a semi and trailer, scale to 80K and make more money. If non-CDL run a 350/3500, de-rate a 14K ( Use a de-rated 21K) and enjoy the light weight and maneuverability creating less stress. No matter what you might hear, there is not that much more money in the heavier pick up based Hotshot business.

[@nateschisler]

I just bought a Ram 5500 C/C with the 204.5" wheelbase. If I'm hauling a 40' gooseneck, I'm running about 67' overall. You're telling me because it's a C/C that I'm not subject to the 65' rule? Maybe I don't know the right terminology or search criteria...but how can I verify that from a legality standpoint?

[@therealtruckingguy]

Check with trucking wins on KZbin and insta hes a dot officer and can explain but yes is uou have cab and chassis ur good thats all they want

[@jesserodriguez4082]

If im at 65ft turck and trailer but i have over hang am i over the limit? Or overhang doesn't take into consideration of overall length?

[@therealtruckingguy]

Over hang does not go into the count and can be permitted as oversize freight

[@michaelwilliams5854]

Is the length the same if you have cdl

[@therealtruckingguy]

Yes

[@jamesbartley5344]

If I get cdl do I still need cab andchassis set up with my dodge ram 8 foot bed and 40 foot trailer totaling 65 nine

[@therealtruckingguy]

They would not ticket you on that but they will over 66ft

[@fernandobonilla1444]

Can I run a cab and chassis set up and still run under 26000lb for non cdl setup?

[@therealtruckingguy]

Yes u can

[@fernandobonilla1444]

@@therealtruckingguy question with a cab and chassis set up what is the max length of the truck and trailer combined?

[@johnalvarez2454]

I have a 2021 ram 3500 daully crew cab long box.pull a Kaufman ez 4 47 ft trailer. Im under 65 feet .

[@johnalvarez2454]

Forgot to add its 5th wheel

[@tomscobra2003]

I have a Ram 5500 chassis Cab 84” CTA , I hade a CM hotshot bed installed , has 2 toolboxes and a deck, which I have a RDS 91gal auxiliary fuel tank Installed, will I have to remove the tool boxes because there considered as storage,

[@therealtruckingguy]

No they only care about the bed being able to hold stuff on top of it no the tool boxes

[@naginalf2342]

Please let me know if you're a lawyer and know I'm interpreting this wrong, but... If you are getting warned or ticketed for length violations that go on your record, and if you are running with a flatbed that has ramps for loading a vehicle (thus especially designed for hauling vehicles regardless of load), be sure to politely remind the officer of the law and/or take it to court if you have to because the law is pretty clear in all the states mentioned and it does not specify whether it is a truck or tractor pulling it... According to Indiana law 9-20-9-3: A combination of two vehicles coupled together, including load, may not exceed a total length of sixty feet, EXCEPT for the following: 1. Constructed to transport other vehicle or boats. ...and: Any number of vehicles in a combination coupled together: 1. that are especially constructed to transport other vehicles or boats; and 2. by the tow bar, saddle mount, or full mount methods ; may not exceed a total length of seventy-five feet. According to Missouri law 304.170 (which otherwise states a 65' limit): Automobile transporters, boat transporters, truck-trailer boat transporter combinations, and stinger-steered combination boat transporters having a length not in excess of seventy-five feet may be operated... and: Automobile transporters may transport cargo or general freight on a backhaul, as long as in compliance with weight limitations. Wisconsin only has a very general law of 70'.

[@therealtruckingguy]

Yes I would take it to court then but i and several people i know have had many violations with the length issues in those two states so idk what the answer is they don’t have a problem writing the tickets they write them all the time.

[@jeffreyulery2182]

@@therealtruckingguy print out the statue and put it in the glove box.

[@lisandrofernandez1503]

Hello, I have my CDL and I’m planning to buy a new f450 crew cab and a 40 foot trailer, I asked to another hotshot guys that have the same set up and a CDL and he told that I will be over the 65’ but that he never have an issue with the DOT for that, can you confirm that?

[@therealtruckingguy]

Yes you will have issues if you don’t take the bed off but its a small fine so you have to determine if its worth the risk for you. We have had a few tickets.

[@FlintSteel260]

Do you ever hear of anybody running a Ford Econoline Hot shoting?

[@therealtruckingguy]

No haven’t seen one.

[@RedskinzFan]

Incorrect about hangover needing a permit. Most states you can have 4 or 5 ft in most states, it all depends on total length of trailer. In Missouri, you can run a flat deck on your bed IF you have corners cut out

[@therealtruckingguy]

Not sure what you mean by corners cut out and it verys by state fl will get you over length every time coming in they have gotten us as well as Wisconsin

[@RedskinzFan]

I’m referring to the corners of the flatbdeck on bed of truck. My partner was told by MIZZOU DOT to cut the corners off and he did and hasn’t had any citations since . Don’t know how or why but maybe check into it

[@cesarescamilla8092]

I ordered a 2022 Ram dually mega cab with the short bed what trailer do I need to buy to be legal?

[@therealtruckingguy]

U need a 40ft trailer to make any money but it not legal with out taking the bed off but that what everyone does

[@karcusman]

I've heard The Trailers guys will shorten your trailer tongue to make it legal, maybe its custom trailer order?

[@therealtruckingguy]

@@karcusman that would make the trailer hit the truck bed so i don’t think so.

[@karcusman]

@@therealtruckingguy Ok thanks, makes sense.

[@kalebdykstra8354]

@The Trucking Guy Hey Man great video! I NEW to this gig. I have a Ram 3500 Crewcab long box from IA... What do you think I should do for trailer 30+5? Or take off the box and do 35+5? I'd like to run all 48.

[@therealtruckingguy]

Must have a 40ft Minimum to make money

[@kalebdykstra8354]

Good point (thanks), So... with my truck and 35+5 I'm going to be at 67' do I get permits for the states I'm going to hual in? Or take off the bed? Or get a shorter truck? I'm not sure and could really use/appreciate your input.

[@therealtruckingguy]

@@kalebdykstra8354 take off the bed and ur good to go

[@mwdubinz]

@Kaleb Dykstra , I am also trying to figure out what trailer will not exceed 65'. What year Ram and how many inches does it measure from the front bumper to the front of the gooseneck ball?

[@therealtruckingguy]

@@mwdubinz fron of truck and u need a 40ft trailer to make money

[@foryouuugamingcoalition7110]

Does anybody actually know the expenses of registering as a tractor? Can't imagine registration and insurance fees.

[@therealtruckingguy]

It doesn’t change anything the insurance goes off vin number so it stays the same and the registration of the tag goes off the weight so it also stays the same it would only be charged as a tractor if it was registered at 80,000 pounds which is double what a hotshot is semi’s are roughly $1600 a year where a hot shot is $800 a year. You also have to get a 2290 heavy use tax for a semi which is $500 you don’t have to get those for a hot shot. Even if you change the abbreviation to a tractor all you’re doing is removing the bed and changing the abbreviation from truck to tractor that’s it. Not a big deal.

[@foryouuugamingcoalition7110]

@@therealtruckingguy alright alright, seems like a no brainer then .As much as i would like to keep a bed on my truck for the added feeling i am driving a truck not a semi, it is looking like it is the only way to go if you getting a trailer worth wild, allot of trailers seem to be at 36 or 40 , not sure why i haven't seen some 38/39 foot trailers. adding at least 13 feet to your legal limit is huge if you can legally pull the weight. I was also unaware until recent that you had to register your truck with the potential weight you might carry , i thought it was use just register truck and you can pull whatever. weight fees i guess.

[@flynlionrr]

@@therealtruckingguy Have not found any info on how to change that, do you know of any?

[@therealtruckingguy]

@@flynlionrr whats the question?

[@flynlionrr]

@@therealtruckingguy I bought my 3500 as a C/C but its registration has truck, can;t find any info on how to change it to tractor

[@Hawgwild66]

67 with my shocker hitch but I like my bed and keeping it lol

[@therealtruckingguy]

Ya most people don’t want to take it off lol

[@Djtruckin]

$90 to permit for the year,great right off...

[@andrewlotterman79]

Per state?

[@Djtruckin]

@@andrewlotterman79 per state that you drive in, that is correct.

[@carlitos817]

What’s the website for the over length permits

[@latricestevenson584]

What about height 🤔

[@therealtruckingguy]

13-6in is legal anything over needs a oversized permit

[@latricestevenson584]

@@therealtruckingguy thank you

[@HydrogenAgent129]

I'm 66 will cab and chassis fix this problem?

[@therealtruckingguy]

Yes

[@HydrogenAgent129]

I'm 66