BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 64
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CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 64 (Donnelly)
As Amended August 27, 2013
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: | |(May 16, 2013) |SENATE: |38-0 |(September 11, |
| | | | | |2013) |
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(vote not relevant)
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|COMMITTEE VOTE: |15-0 |(September 11, |RECOMMENDATION: |concur |
|(TRANS.) | |2013) | | |
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Original Committee Reference: TRANS.
SUMMARY : Permits a fifth-wheel travel trailer to be up to 48 feet
in length so long as the distance between the kingpin to rear axle
meets specific length requirements.
The Senate amendments delete the Assembly version of this bill, and
instead:
1)Make an exception to the vehicle length limits for fifth-wheel
travel trailers, allowing these specific types of trailers to be
up to 48 feet in length provided the kingpin-to-rear axle (KP-RA)
distance meets the following requirements:
a) Is no longer than 38 feet for fifth-wheel trailers with a
single axle; and,
b) Is no longer than 40 feet for fifth-wheel trailers with two
or more axles.
1)Require that a fifth-wheel manufacturer provide information in
the delivery documents that are used for registering a
fifth-wheel trailer, including the KP-RA distance and overall
length of the trailer. Stipulates that the dealer may reject
acceptance of the fifth-wheel trailer if the manufacturer fails
to provide the required information.
EXISTING LAW :
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1)Prohibits a vehicle from exceeding 40 feet in length.
2)Provides exemptions for length prohibitions on specific types of
vehicles, such as articulated buses or articulated trolley
coaches.
3)Defines "vehicle" as a device by which any person or property may
be propelled, moved, or drawn upon a highway.
4)Defines "fifth-wheel travel trailer" as a vehicle designed for
recreational purposes to carry persons or property on its own
structure and is constructed to be drawn by a motor vehicle by
means of a kingpin connecting device.
5)Allows the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans),
with regard to state highways, to lower the maximum KP-RA length
restriction to less than 40 feet, however specifically prohibits
Caltrans from lowering the length restriction to less than 38
feet.
6)Requires an applicant for a driver's license to take an
examination appropriate to the type of motor vehicle or
combination of vehicles the applicant wishes to drive. Requires
specific licensing requirements for the operation of fifth-wheel
travel trailer based upon the weight of the trailer as specified.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations Committee,
pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.
COMMENTS : KP-RA length requirements for semitrailers that operate
on the state highway system have been extensively studied and
evaluated over time. A kingpin is the main pin used to connect a
semitrailer or fifth-wheel trailer to a truck, which in the case of
a fifth-wheel travel trailer is usually a pickup. The KP-RA
distance determines the width of the turning radius of a
truck-trailer combination. Generally, any increase in the
wheelbase of any vehicle in a combination of vehicles will result
in the vehicle combination using more of a road to complete a turn.
In order to accurately assess the impact of a semi-trailer with a
specific KP-RA on the state highway system, Caltrans utilizes an
off-tracking computer model program. The off-tracking computer
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model program provides the maximum swept width (msw) for a vehicle
through a turn. An "msw" is defined as the maximum lateral
dimension between the path described by the front axle wheel
located on the outside of the curve and the non-circular path on
the rearmost axle wheel located on the inside of a curve. The
turning characteristics of vehicle combinations are quantifiable
and can be used as a measure of compatibility between vehicle size
and roadway geometry.
One important study to highlight was released in 1989 where
Caltrans conducted a study entitled "Truck Kingpin-To-Rear Axle
Length State Highway System Evaluation" as required by SB 2232
(McCorquodale), Chapter 1378, Statutes of 1986. In the study,
Caltrans warned that out of the 15,166 total miles of state
highway:
1) 22% (3,364 miles) could not accommodate trucks with 40 foot
KP-RA lengths.
2) 21% (3,185 miles) could not accommodate trucks with 38 foot
KP-RA lengths.
3) 18.6% (2,831) miles could not accommodate trucks with 30 foot
KP-RA lengths.
This bill, if enacted, would legally allow for more fifth-wheel
travel trailers to operate on many of these roads Caltrans
evaluated in this study.
In order to operate a fifth-wheel travel trailer, a driver must
meet all Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) licensing requirements.
For a trailer with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) between
10,000 and 15,000 pounds, the driver must have a Class C driver's
license and also obtain a DMV issued Recreation Trailer
Endorsement, which includes the driver passing the "Recreational
Vehicles and Noncommercial Class A Trailers Law" test, a vision
test, and pay any required fees. For trailers with a GVWR over
15,000 pounds, a driver must obtain a restricted noncommercial
Class A driver's license, which includes the submittal of a
physicians health report, passing the abovementioned written test,
and passing a driving test with the vehicle and trailer. The
provisions in this bill do not change the licensing requirements
for fifth-wheel travel trailers that exceed 40 feet in lengthas DMV
determines licensing requirements based on the weight of the
trailer, not on its length.
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However, inconsistency does exist in state law regarding the length
requirements for fifth-wheel travel trailers. State law limits the
length of any vehicle to 40 feet, with specified exceptions.
Furthermore, state law provides that semitrailers may have a
maximum overall length of 65 feet, provided that the KP-RA length
does not exceed 40 feet for a two axle semitrailer and 38 feet for
a single axle trailer. Because fifth-wheel travel trailers are
defined as vehicles (despite the fact they are designed and operate
similar to semitrailers), state law still limits them to no more
the 40 feet in length. As a result, persons who buy fifth-wheel
travel trailers of greater than 40 feet in length are not able to
operate them legally in California.
The author has introduced this bill to provide additional clarity
on the length requirements for fifth-wheel recreational trailers.
According to the author, fifth-wheel trailers "exceeding 40 feet,
measured from hitch to rear extremity, are being driven today on
California roads and are presently being offered for sale by
California RV dealers. This bill would make all known fifth-wheels
eligible for continued sale, registration, and operation on our
highways." By providing clarification on the KP-RA and overall
length requirements for fifth-wheel trailers, this bill will bring
the length requirements for these trailers into alignment with
similar requirements currently in statute for semitrailers.
Analysis Prepared by : Manny Leon / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093
FN: 0002794