(a) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 35401, a combination of vehicles designed and used to transport motor vehicles, camper units, or boats, which consists of a motortruck and stinger-steered semitrailer, shall be allowed a length of up to 70 feet if the kingpin is at least 3 feet behind the rear drive axle of the motortruck. This combination shall not be subject to subdivision (a) of Section 35411, but the load upon the rear vehicle of the combination shall not extend more than 6 feet 6 inches beyond the allowable length of the vehicle.

(b) A combination of vehicles designed and used to transport motor vehicles, camper units, or boats, which consists of a motortruck and stinger-steered semitrailer, shall be allowed a length of up to 75 feet if all of the following conditions are maintained:

Ask a traffic law question, get an answer ASAP!
Thousands of highly rated, verified traffic lawyers.
Parking violations, accidents, DUI/DWI, licensing, registration, and more
Protect your vehicle and your rights with expert legal help now
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In California Vehicle Code 35401.3

  • axle: is a structure or portion of a structure consisting of one or more shafts, spindles, or bearings in the same vertical transverse plane by means of which, in conjunction with wheels mounted on said shafts, spindles, or bearings, a portion of the weight of a vehicle and its load, if any, is continuously transmitted to the roadway when the vehicle is in motion. See California Vehicle Code 230
  • camper: is a structure designed to be mounted upon a motor vehicle and to provide facilities for human habitation or camping purposes. See California Vehicle Code 243
  • motortruck: is a motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property. See California Vehicle Code 410
  • semitrailer: is a vehicle designed for carrying persons or property, used in conjunction with a motor vehicle, and so constructed that some part of its weight and that of its load rests upon, or is carried by, another vehicle. See California Vehicle Code 550
  • vehicle: is a device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn upon a highway, excepting a device moved exclusively by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks. See California Vehicle Code 670

(1) The distance from the steering axle to the rear drive axle of the motortruck does not exceed 24 feet.

(2) The kingpin is at least 5 feet behind the rear drive axle of the motortruck.

(3) The distance from the kingpin to the rear axle of the semitrailer does not exceed 34 feet except that the distance from the kingpin to the rear axle of a triple axle semitrailer does not exceed 36 feet.

This combination shall not be subject to subdivision (a) of Section 35411, but the load upon the rear vehicle of the combination shall not extend more than 6 feet 6 inches beyond the allowable length of the vehicle.

(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 860, Sec. 11. Effective January 1, 2001.)