Longer combination vehicles - Florida

Combination: Truck tractor and 2 trailing units

LENGTH OF THE CARGO–CARRYING UNITS: 106 feet

OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS: All overdimensional and weight regulations of the Florida Turnpike Authority shall apply to such units unless specifically excluded under the terms of the Tandem Trailer Permit or these regulations.

WEIGHT: This combination must operate in compliance with State laws and regulations. Because it is not an LCV, it is not subject to the ISTEA freeze as it applies to maximum weight.

DRIVER: The driver must have a commercial driver’s license with the appropriate endorsement. Proposed drivers of tandem–trailer units shall be registered by the Florida Turnpike Authority prior to driving such equipment onthe turnpike system. For further information, see Rule 14–62.016 FAC.

VEHICLE: A complete tandem–trailer combination shall consist of a truck tractor, first semitrailer, fifth–wheel converter dolly, and a second semitrailer. The converter dolly may be either a separate unit or an integral component of the first semitrailer. The width shall not exceed 102 inches and the height shall not exceed 13 feet 6 inches. A tractor used in the tandem–trailer operations shall be capable of hauling the maximum gross load to be transported by a permittee at a speed of not less than 40 miles per hour on all portions of the turnpike system excepting that portion of the roadway, as posted in 1988, between mileposts 234 and 238 where a minimum speed of 30 miles per hour will be permitted.

Every tandem–trailer combination shall be equipped with full air brakes or air–activated hydraulic brakes on the tractor and either air or electric brakes on the dolly and trailers.

A tractor, which will be used to haul a complete tandem–trailer combination with a total gross weight of 110,000 pounds or more, shall be equipped with tandem rear axles and driving power shall be applied to all wheels on both axles. When the above tandem–axle tractor is required, a tandem–axle dolly converter must be used.

Every tandem–trailer combination shall be equipped with emergency equipment that equals or exceeds both the equipment requirements and the performance standards cited in Chapter 316, Florida Statutes and subpart H “Emergency Equipment” of 49 CFR 393.95.

A converter (fifth–wheel) dolly used in the tandem–trailer operations may have either single or tandem axles, according to its total gross weight. In addition to the primary towbar(s), the dolly vehicle must be equipped with safety chains or cables for connecting the dolly to the lead semitrailer and must be adequate to prevent breakaway.

Lamps and Reflectors. Each tractor, trailer, and converter dolly in a tandem–trailer combination shall be equipped with electric lamps and reflectors mounted on the vehicle in accordance with Chapter 316, Florida Statutes, and subpart B “Lighting Devices, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment,” of 49 CFR 393.9 through 49 CFR 393.33.

Coupling Devices. Coupling devices shall be so designed, constructed, and installed and the vehicles in a tandem–trailer combination shall equal or exceed both the equipment requirements and the performance standards established on 49CFR 393.70, except that such devices shall be so designed and constructed as to ensure that any such combination traveling on a level, smooth paved surface will follow in the path of the towing vehicle without shifting or swerving from side to side over 2 inches to each side of the path of the vehicle when it is moving in a straight line. (For further information see Rule 14–62.002; 14–62.005;14–62.006; 14–62.007; 14–62.008; 14–62.009; 14–62.010; 14–62.011; 14–62.012; 14–62. 013; and 14–62.015, FAC)

PERMIT: Tandem–trailer units may operate on the turnpike system under a Tandem Trailer Permit issued by the Florida Turnpike Authority upon application,except as provided in subparagraph (2) below.

(1) The Florida Turnpike Authority shall provide a copy of each such permit to the Motor Carrier Compliance Office.

(2) Tandem–trailer trucks of the dimensions mandated by the STAA of 1982 and operating in compliance with Rule Chapter 14–54, FAC, and under the provisions of section 316.515, Florida Statutes shall be exempt from the provisions of this rule chapter to the extent provided in Rule 14–54.0011, FAC.

(For further information see Rules 14–62.001; 14–62.022; 14–62.023; 14–62.024; 14.62026; 14–62.027, FAC)

ACCESS: Staging. Tandem–trailer combinations shall be made up and broken up only in special assembly (staging) areas as designated for this purpose. For further information, see Rule 14–62.017, FAC. Make–up and break–up of tandem–trailer combinations shall not be allowed on a public right–of–way unless the area is designated for such use or unless an emergency exists.

ROUTES:

LEGAL CITATIONS: Chapter 14–62, “Regulations Governing Tandem Combinations of Florida’s Turnpike,” Florida Administrative Code.