Cartopping and Highway Permits

[ardee]

Has anyone anywhere in the Continental USA found they need a highway permit to cartop their single?

Loaded, my vehicle ius definitely oversize. I have found my State statute but am still not sure if I need a permit - am struggling to understand it! I live in Arizona, and don't particlualrly fancy visiting the local State Trooper Station - either to check it out or in handcuffs!

Wondering about others' experiences.

[Cyclist2]

I've cartopped boats along the east coast and here in Washington. I've never had a problem or even thought about a permit. I think the cops pay more attention to commercial loads/permits unless your tie down is not secure - there are laws about that that are enforced pretty well. Here, if the boat extends more than 4' past the front or rear of the car it needs a red flag. Other than that, I don't do much except make sure it is strapped on securely.

[ardee]

Tx u, tx u Mark.

To date I've never had an issue, but I know Az is a 'tough' state. My concern is that if G-d Forbid I was to get in to an accident, woudl I risk having my insurance negated. Have written my agent for clarification.

[Ripples]

I carry a 17-foot sea kayak on top of my Honda Fit. Strapped securely with with cam straps, bow and stern tie-downs and a red flag off the stern. No permits needed. Check your straps and tie downs regularly as you travel.

I don’t drive over 70 mph.

[Ombrax]

And whatever you do, don't ever forget that it's up there...

[ardee]

[Citroen]

And whatever you do, don't ever forget that it's up there...

http://11foot8.com/ is my favourite even after they dropped the pavement by eight inches (now 12' 4")

https://youtu.be/aBLH8qvaIFg

[Ombrax]

^^^^ I've seen those videos - darkly amusing, when you aren't the driver.

In general, kayaks and stuff we talk about here are pretty low and unlikely to be a problem, but for cyclists who put their bikes on top of the car it's a constant threat, whether pulling into the garage at home (top image) or in a hotel parking garage (bottom image). (neither of them mine)

[ardee]

For the white car (top) hitting its garage lintel it was clearly, "No LOOK!"

[Tsnor]

FWIW, one of the members of my club got ticketed for "excessive overhang" for cartopping a single (27 ft single on a 16 ft car). He went to court, Judge threw out the ticket. Judge also asked in court asked which officer wrote the ticket. This is in NY upstate. I suspect the ticket was both valid and Judge thought it was dumb, and dumb won. In Vermont you need to put flags on anything with more than a 4 ft overhang, and that's it (unless you have more than 15 feet of overhang, then you need an escort vehicle).

Also in NY the club recently welded some new parts on an old trailer so the shells extended less than 4 ft from the lights (say rather, the lights got pushed out to be within 4 ft of the end of the shells). Think that has been a national law for a while, and the trailer never got stopped.

Also see https://motorandwheels.com/truck-sticki ... per-state/