[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 23, Volume 1] [Revised as of April 1, 2002] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 23CFR658.5] [Page 253-255] TITLE 23--HIGHWAYS CHAPTER I--FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PART 658--TRUCK SIZE AND WEIGHT, ROUTE DESIGNATIONS--LENGTH, WIDTH AND WEIGHT LIMITATIONS--Table of Contents Sec. 658.5 Definitions. Automobile transporters. Any vehicle combination designed and used specifically for the transport of assembled highway vehicles, including truck camper units. Beverage semitrailer. A van-type, drop-frame semitrailer designed and used specifically for the transport and delivery of bottled or canned beverages (i.e., liquids for drinking, including water) which has side-only access for loading and unloading this commodity. Semitrailer has the same meaning as in 49 CFR 390.5. Boat transporters. Any vehicle combination designed and used specifically to transport assembled boats and boat hulls. Boats may be partially disassembled to facilitate transporting. Bridge Gross Weight Formula. The standard specifying the relationship between axle (or groups of axles) spacing and the gross weight that (those) axle(s) may carry expressed by the formula: [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC14OC91.011 where W=overall gross weight on any group of two or more consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds, L=distance in feet between the extreme of any group of two or more consecutive axles, and N=number of axles in the group under consideration. Cargo-carrying unit. As used in this part, cargo-carrying unit means any portion of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) combination (other than a truck tractor) used for the carrying of cargo, including a trailer, semitrailer, or the cargo-carrying section of a single-unit truck. The length of the cargo carrying units of a CMV with two or more such units is measured from the front of the first unit to the rear of the last [including the hitch(es) between the units]. Commercial Motor Vehicle. For purposes of this regulation a motor vehicle designed or regularly used for carrying freight, merchandise, or more than ten passengers, whether loaded or empty, including buses, but not including vehicles used for vanpools. Federal-aid Primary System. The Federal-aid Highway System of rural arterials and their extensions into or through urban areas in existence on June 1, 1991, as described in 23 U.S.C. 103(b) in effect at that time. Fullmount. A fullmount is a smaller vehicle mounted completely on the frame of either the first or last vehicle in a saddlemount combination. Interstate System. The National System of Interstate and Defense Highways described in sections 103(e) and [[Page 254]] 139(a) of Title 23, U.S.C. For the purpose of this regulation this system includes toll roads designated as Interstate. Length Exclusive Devices. For purposes of this regulation all appurtenances at the front or rear of a commercial motor vehicle semitrailer, or trailer, whose function is related to the safe and efficient operation of the semitrailer or trailer. No device excluded from length determination shall be designed or used for carrying cargo. Longer combination vehicle (LCV). As used in this part, longer combination vehicle means any combination of a truck tractor and two or more trailers or semitrailers which operates on the Interstate System at a gross vehicle weight greater than 80,000 pounds. Maxi-cube vehicle. A maxi-cube vehicle is a combination vehicle consisting of a power unit and a trailing unit, both of which are designed to carry cargo. The power unit is a nonarticulated truck with one or more drive axles that carries either a detachable or a permanently attached cargo box. The trailing unit is a trailer or semitrailer with a cargo box so designed that the power unit may be loaded and unloaded through the trailing unit. Neither cargo box shall exceed 34 feet in length, excluding drawbar or hitching device; the distance from the front of the first to the rear of the second cargo box shall not exceed 60 feet, including the space between the cargo boxes; and the overall length of the combination vehicle shall not exceed 65 feet, including the space between the cargo boxes. Motor carrier of passengers. As used in this part, a motor carrier of passengers is a common, contract, or private carrier using a bus to provide commercial transportation of passengers. Bus has the same meaning as in 49 CFR 390.5. National Network (NN). The composite of the individual network of highways from each State on which vehicles authorized by the provisions of the STAA are allowed to operate. The network in each State includes the Interstate System, exclusive of those portions excepted under Sec. 658.11(f) or deleted under Sec. 658.11(d), and those portions of the Federal-aid Primary System in existence on June 1, 1991, set out by the FHWA in appendix A to this part. Nondivisible load or vehicle. (1) As used in this part, nondivisible means any load or vehicle exceeding applicable length or weight limits which, if separated into smaller loads or vehicles, would: (i) Compromise the intended use of the vehicle, i.e., make it unable to perform the function for which it was intended; (ii) Destroy the value of the load or vehicle, i.e., make it unusable for its intended purpose; or (iii) Require more than 8 workhours to dismantle using appropriate equipment. The applicant for a nondivisible load permit has the burden of proof as to the number of workhours required to dismantle the load. (2) A State may treat emergency response vehicles, casks designed for the transport of spent nuclear materials, and military vehicles transporting marked military equipment or materiel as nondivisible vehicles or loads. Saddlemount combination. A saddlemount combination is a combination of vehicles in which a truck or truck tractor tows one or more trucks or truck tractors, each connected by a saddle to the frame or fifth wheel of the vehicle in front of it. The saddle is a mechanism that connects the front axle of the towed vehicle to the frame or fifth wheel of the vehicle in front and functions like a fifth wheel kingpin connection. When two vehicles are towed in this manner the combination is called a double saddlemount combination. When three vehicles are towed in this manner, the combination is called a triple saddlemount combination. Safety Devices--Width Exclusion. Federally approved safety devices accorded width exclusion status include rear-view mirrors, turn signal lamps, hand-holds for cab entry/egress and splash and spray suppressant devices. Although not normally considered a safety device, load-induced tire bulge is also excluded from consideration in determining vehicle width. Single Axle Weight. The total weight transmitted to the road by all wheels whose centers may be included between two parallel transverse vertical planes [[Page 255]] 40 inches apart, extending across the full width of the vehicle. The Federal single axle weight limit on the Interstate System is 20,000 pounds. Special Mobile Equipment. Every self-propelled vehicle not designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons or property and incidentally operated or moved over the highways, including military equipment, farm equipment, implements of husbandry, road construction or maintenance machinery, and emergency apparatus which includes fire and police emergency equipment. This list is partial and not exclusive of such other vehicles as may fall within the general terms of this definition. Stinger-steered combination. A truck tractor semitrailer wherein the fifth wheel is located on a drop frame located behind and below the rear-most axle of the power unit. Tandem Axle Weight. The total weight transmitted to the road by two or more consecutive axles whose centers may be included between parallel transverse vertical planes spaced more than 40 inches and not more than 96 inches apart, extending across the full width of the vehicle. The Federal tandem axle weight limit on the Interstate System is 34,000 pounds. Terminal. The term terminal as used in this regulation means, at a minimum, any location where: Freight either originates, terminates, or is handled in the transportation process; or Commercial motor carriers maintain operating facilities. Tractor or Truck Tractor. The noncargo carrying power unit that operates in combination with a semitrailer or trailer, except that a truck tractor and semitrailer engaged in the transportation of automobiles may transport motor vehicles on part of the power unit. Truck-tractor Semitrailer-Semitrailer. In a truck-tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination vehicle, the two trailing units are connected with a ``B-train'' assembly. The B-train assembly is a rigid frame extension attached to the rear frame of a first semitrailer which allows for a fifth wheel connection point for the second semitrailer. This combination has one less articulation point than the conventional ``A dolly'' connected truck-tractor semitrailer-trailer combination. Truck-trailer boat transporter. A boat transporter combination consisting of a straight truck towing a trailer using typically a ball and socket connection. The trailer axle(s) is located substantially at the trailer center of gravity (rather than the rear of the trailer) but so as to maintain a downward force on the trailer tongue. [49 FR 23315, June 5, 1984, as amended at 53 FR 2597, Jan. 29, 1988; 53 FR 12148, Apr. 13, 1988; 53 FR 25485, July 7, 1988; 53 FR 48636, Dec. 2, 1988; 55 FR 22762, June 1, 1990; 55 FR 32399, Aug. 9, 1990; 59 FR 30419, June 13, 1994; 63 FR 70652, Dec. 22, 1998; 64 FR 48959, Sept. 9, 1999] Effective Date Note: At 67 FR 15109, Mar. 29, 2002, Sec. 658.5 was amended by revising the definition of ``Length Exclusive Devices'', removing the definition of ``Safety Devices--Width Exclusion'' and adding the definition of ``Width Exclusive Devices'', effective Apr. 29, 2002. For the convenience of the user, the revised and added text is set forth as follows: Sec. 658.5 Definitions. * * * * * Length Exclusive Devices. Devices excluded from the measurement of vehicle length. Such devices shall not be designed or used to carry cargo. * * * * * Width Exclusive Devices. Devices excluded from the measurement of vehicle width. Such devices shall not be designed or used to carry cargo.