Gonzaga Bay April 2014

[battleborn]

Good day all,
So after reading a post about a guy with a surf board having gotten a ticket in baja because he had 2 ft sticking out the back. Will this fly down there. I have hauled this way as long as I had the yak driving back and forth to SD to NV to AZ etc having been passed by CHP and local PD regularly and never had any issues. Do you think I will get stopped in Mex? Does anyone else transport this way?

[svendawg]

If it were me I would rig a tail light, brake light and florescent red flag to the end of your PA on the rear carry rail. You know the lights like the ones the tow trucks attach to the wrecks that they tow. You can find this at Harbor Freight for around $20.00 item#69626
Technically your rig is not legal in Calif, because you have too much overhang behind your lights.
Just because you have not been stopped yet don't assume your legal.

This might help. This is only for Calif. I can't give you any info on what Mexico traffic laws might be but in Calif the California Department of Transportation states:
"[...] whenever the load upon any vehicle extends, or whenever any integral part of any vehicle projects, to the rear four feet or more beyond the rear of the vehicle, as measured from the taillamps, there shall be displayed at the extreme end of the load or projecting part of the vehicle:
a solid red or fluorescent orange flag or cloth not less than 12 inches square, or
during darkness, in addition to the required taillamp, two red lights with a bulb rated not in excess of six candlepower plainly visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the sides and rear."

As for the length of overhang per California Vehicle Code Section 35410, "the load upon a vehicle, trailer or semitrailer shall not extend to the rear beyond the last point of support for a greater distance than that equal to two-thirds of the length of the wheelbase."

I hope this helps, if nothing else it will give you peace of mind while driving in Calif

[battleborn]

Originally Posted by svendawg

If it were me I would rig a tail light, brake light and florescent red flag to the end of your PA on the rear carry rail. You know the lights like the ones the tow trucks attach to the wrecks that they tow. You can find this at Harbor Freight for around $20.00 item#69626
Technically your rig is not legal in Calif, because you have too much overhang behind your lights.
Just because you have not been stopped yet don't assume your legal.

This might help. This is only for Calif. I can't give you any info on what Mexico traffic laws might be but in Calif the California Department of Transportation states:
"[...] whenever the load upon any vehicle extends, or whenever any integral part of any vehicle projects, to the rear four feet or more beyond the rear of the vehicle, as measured from the taillamps, there shall be displayed at the extreme end of the load or projecting part of the vehicle:
a solid red or fluorescent orange flag or cloth not less than 12 inches square, or
during darkness, in addition to the required taillamp, two red lights with a bulb rated not in excess of six candlepower plainly visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the sides and rear."

As for the length of overhang per California Vehicle Code Section 35410, "the load upon a vehicle, trailer or semitrailer shall not extend to the rear beyond the last point of support for a greater distance than that equal to two-thirds of the length of the wheelbase."

I hope this helps, if nothing else it will give you peace of mind while driving in Calif

Yes I usually have a bright red flag I got from NAPA that they use on semis on the back grab rail. I got those tail lights from HF they work pretty good so far. Man looks like I am almost there wheel base 139.8 I guess all the officers I see on the road either figure if someone runs into the banana the deserve a PA in their passenger seat or they are kayak fishing sympathizers The trick is to figure out what they consider the last point of support?
I have to wonder if the Mex officers will be as forgiving?

[svendawg]

I believe your last point of support is the top of your extender bar. If you drive at night,(not recommended in Mexico) you will need to have a taillight on the aft grab rail.

[battleborn]

Originally Posted by svendawg

I believe your last point of support is the top of your extender bar. If you drive at night,(not recommended in Mexico) you will need to have a taillight on the aft grab rail.

Thanks I usually have the extra lights on the extender bar. I will make mods.

Does triple A have mex insurance that is recognized. More importantly full coverage? First time trying to go that far inland and want to get everything in order excuse the newb questions.

[Sdspeed]

Originally Posted by battleborn

Thanks I usually have the extra lights on the extender bar. I will make mods.

Does triple A have mex insurance that is recognized. More importantly full coverage? First time trying to go that far inland and want to get everything in order excuse the newb questions.

Looks like AAA does.

https://www.calif.aaa.com/home/insur...insurance.html

[svendawg]

I got my annual Mexican insurance through a club called Vagabundos Del Mar at vagabundos.com
It costs $35.00 annual membership but even after I paid the membership their insurance was cheaper that any other place I got quotes for. You can also get your FMM and Mexican fishing license through them.
You can also get up to date driving conditions from their website.
The club has been around for a long time. They cater to us gringo's that travel to Mexico

[makobob]

Originally Posted by battleborn

Thanks I usually have the extra lights on the extender bar. I will make mods.

Does triple A have mex insurance that is recognized. More importantly full coverage? First time trying to go that far inland and want to get everything in order excuse the newb questions.

Yes AAA does, full year for my 2005 chevy truck was less than $300. And that was for their best policy.

Makobob