Pole and utility vehicles/trailers – South Carolina

Length of vehicle and loads

The limitations regarding length of vehicles and loads stated in SC Code Ann. §§ 56-5-4070 and 56-5-4080 do not apply to a load upon a pole trailer, longwood trailer, or self-propelled pole carrier when:

• Transporting poles or logs.
• During daylight hours only, when transporting pipes or structural material which cannot be dismembered.

A pole, log, pipe, or other material exceeding 80 feet in length may not be transported unless a permit has been first obtained as authorized in SC Code Ann. § 57-3-130.

Utility company

The length of load provisions of SC Code Ann. § 56-5-4090 do not apply to a pole trailer or self-propelled pole carrier operated by a utility company when transporting a pole to replace a damaged one.

Key definitions

Pole trailer: Every vehicle without motive power designed to be drawn by another vehicle and attached to the towing vehicle by means of a reach or pole or by being boomed or otherwise secured to the towing vehicle and ordinarily used for transporting long or irregularly shaped loads such as poles, pipes or structural members capable, generally, of sustaining themselves as beams between the supporting connections.