Truck bed extender legality

[LD1]

I was wanting to make a truck bed extender that goes in the hitch like this

Truck Bed Extender

Amazing deals on this Truck Bed Extender at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

But what are the actual legal requirements.

Like anytime you leave a lumber yard with PVC or boards longer than the truck, they get flagged.

So is there a law or something that specifies a given distance or something?

I never see bike racks or cooler carriers that go in the insert get red flags.

Anyone know?

 

[LittleBill21]

put a flag on it, and don't worry about it.

 

[Thomas]

Our state allow 4' beyond tailgate than must be flag...may want to check your state rules.

 

[dlctcg]

As Thomas said... I would check your local state regulations...

But from the WEB:
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) require any commercial motor vehicle (CMV) transporting a load that extends more than 4 feet beyond the rear of the vehicle to be marked with a single red or orange fluorescent warning flag at the extreme rear if the projecting load is 2 feet wide or less, and two warning flags if the projecting load is wider than 2 feet. The flags must be located to indicate the maximum width of loads which extend beyond the sides and/or rear of the vehicle.

 

[LD1]

put a flag on it, and don't worry about it.

Thanks for your useless reply.

Our state allow 4' beyond tailgate than must be flag...may want to check your state rules.

As Thomas said... I would check your local state regulations...

But from the WEB:
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) require any commercial motor vehicle (CMV) transporting a load that extends more than 4 feet beyond the rear of the vehicle to be marked with a single red or orange fluorescent warning flag at the extreme rear if the projecting load is 2 feet wide or less, and two warning flags if the projecting load is wider than 2 feet. The flags must be located to indicate the maximum width of loads which extend beyond the sides and/or rear of the vehicle.

Upon a little further digging, I did find the same thing for my state.

The scenario I have is very odd and unique.

We have a local farm festival which includes a horticulture show. 40 or so categories like heaviest tomato, potato, sweet potato, etc etc. Longest ear of corn, cornstalk, tallest marestail, tallest giant ragweed, tallest thistle, etc etc.

So some of these plants like cornstalks and ragweed that I enter get ~14' tall or more. They are quite delicate and NOT something I want to red-flag. So I was asking for the distance that DOESNT require the flag to see if I can just keep the bed-extender inside that dimension if it will work for my needs and have no worry about flagging.

If it works, it keeps me from having to drag a trailer to the festival just hauling a couple cornstalks and a couple ragweeds....lol

 

[Ford850]

I would add a 2x4 a little longer than your weeds , and add the flag to the end of that board.

 

[bcp]

I was wanting to make a truck bed extender that goes in the hitch like this

Truck Bed Extender

Amazing deals on this Truck Bed Extender at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

If you make one like that, don't make it like that.

Make it like this to avoid scraping at every little dip or driveway.

Bruce

 

[LittleBill21]

Thanks for your useless reply.

Your Welcome,

I am available Monday- Wed and every other Friday, if you need more of them.

 

[Gee Ray]

put a flag on it, and don't worry about it.

He is not wrong. First you truck most likely is not a commercial truck. Second the product is an ag product and most officers are not going to stop ag production.

My question is how do you transport you plants with out any wind damage?

If you are super worried about it build the carrier so that is taller and your plants can be carried over top of the cab and stop at the 4 foot over hang past the tailgate.

 

[LD1]

He is not wrong. First you truck most likely is not a commercial truck. Second the product is an ag product and most officers are not going to stop ag production.

My question is how do you transport you plants with out any wind damage?

If you are super worried about it build the carrier so that is taller and your plants can be carried over top of the cab and stop at the 4 foot over hang past the tailgate.

I never said he was wrong. I simply said his reply was useless, which it was.

And First, my truck IS a commercial truck with a 9.5' flatbed. Second, this is a recreational festival, so I doubt it would even classify as ag related, and nothing else I do is ag related as I am not a farmer. But we all know what they say about assumptions...

As to wind damage.....I usually wrap the tops with some seran wrap and tape.

And finally, I am not "super worried" about it. I can simply hook to the trailer like I have done every year in the past. I just figured I ask what the requirements were for flag/no flag to see if it was a viable option to make something without dragging the trailer. I got my answer.....4' behind the truck

 

[LD1]

If you make one like that, don't make it like that.

Make it like this to avoid scraping at every little dip or driveway.

View attachment 713478


Bruce

I like that Idea ALOT. Such a simple and effective solution....and actually requires less material

 

[dlctcg]

Heck I agree.. it is simple enough to build... just build 4ft or under & then like @Ford850 recommended it your load goes beyond just use a 1by or 2by & run it just past your load with a flag on it... you'll have a useful carrier either way & you can leave the trailer at home...

 

[bcp]

I wonder...

Is the truck bed extender part of the truck, and you can go up to four feet past it without a flag?

What if the extender has a set of lights you plug into your trailer connector?

Bruce

 

[LD1]

I wonder...

Is the truck bed extender part of the truck, and you can go up to four feet past it without a flag?

What if the extender has a set of lights you plug into your trailer connector?

Bruce

If I put lights on it....would it not be considered like a trailer?

I know the red-flag law I read mentioned lights if at night. I wonder if lights overrule the flag and make it not required?

Then I wonder about other type of things towed that do NOT have lights (weather they are required I dont know). But like logsplitters? Or the towable air compressors? I never see them with lights and they are definitely more than 4' long

 

[RandyT]

If I put lights on it....would it not be considered like a trailer?

I know the red-flag law I read mentioned lights if at night. I wonder if lights overrule the flag and make it not required?

Then I wonder about other type of things towed that do NOT have lights (weather they are required I dont know). But like logsplitters? Or the towable air compressors? I never see them with lights and they are definitely more than 4' long

Logsplitters and portable air compressor are classified as mobile equipment and therefore exempt from license plates and lights,etc at least in some states. Just something to keep in mind that the tailgate extender like is being discussed could also be a violations for obstructed license plate.

The pull over people for ball hitches and bike racks, and those rear carriers like people put coolers and electric scooters if the license plate cannot be easily read.

 

[LD1]

It's done. Inside of the required 4'.

 

[ruffdog]

Do you plan to keep it in the hitch all the time or only when you are hauling something long?

 

[dlctcg]

Nice...

 

[the old grind]

#When 'usefulness' of a reply is directly proportional to the description of the situation or need mentioned in a title or first post.

Tough crowd some days. May help to include how it makes you feel when asking for or accepting suggestions.

btw, you guys are fine by me. It's people that rub me the wrong way.

 

[LD1]

Do you plan to keep it in the hitch all the time or only when you are hauling something long?

Only when hauling. OR on the way to/from hauling when I may be empty....it will stay in there for transport