348.07(2)
(2) The following vehicles may be operated without a permit for excessive length if the overall length does not exceed the indicated limitations:
348.07(2)(e)
(e) No limitation for implements of husbandry temporarily operated upon a highway.
348.07(2)(f)
(f) No overall length limitation for a tractor-semitrailer combination, a double bottom or an automobile haulaway when such tractor-semitrailer combination, double bottom or automobile haulaway is operated on a highway designated under
sub. (4).
348.07(2)(fm)
(fm) No length limitation for a truck tractor or road tractor when such truck tractor or road tractor is operated in a tractor-semitrailer combination or as part of a double bottom or an automobile haulaway on a highway designated under
sub. (4).
348.07(2)(fs)
(fs) 75 feet for a tractor-semitrailer combination, except as provided in
par. (f) or
sub. (4m).
348.07(2)(g)
(g) 48 feet for a semitrailer or trailer operated as part of a 2-vehicle combination, except as provided in
par. (gv).
348.07(2)(gm)
(gm) 28 feet 6 inches for a semitrailer or trailer operated as part of a double bottom on a highway designated under
sub. (4).
348.07(2)(gv)
(gv) 53 feet for a semitrailer whose length from kingpin to axle does not exceed 43 feet and which is operated as part of a 2-vehicle combination, except as provided in
sub. (4m). The length limits in this paragraph do not apply to a trailer or a semitrailer that is authorized to operate under
par. (im).
348.07(2)(h)
(h) Sixty-six feet for articulated buses operated in urban areas.
348.07(2)(im)
(im) Seventy-five total feet for a 2-vehicle combination designed and primarily used for transporting livestock, if the trailer or semitrailer, measured as required by
sub. (3) (b), is not longer than 53 feet, the trailer or semitrailer is equipped with at least 2 axles, and the towing vehicle is not a motor truck, truck tractor, road tractor, or combination vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or actual gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
348.07(2)(j)
(j) 66 feet for an automobile haulaway plus an additional overhang of 4 feet to the front of the vehicle and 5 feet to the rear of the vehicle.
348.07(2)(k)
(k) Sixty feet for a single vehicle, and 120 feet for a 2-vehicle combination, used by a pipeline company or operator, public service corporation, municipal utility, or cooperative association described in
s. 196.01 (5) (b) 1., or by a motor carrier operating under contract with a pipeline company or operator, public service corporation, municipal utility, or cooperative association described in
s. 196.01 (5) (b) 1., for transportation of poles, pipe, girders and similar materials.
348.07 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
Trans 257, Wis. adm. code.
348.07(2a)
(2a) Tour trains consisting of 4 vehicles including the propelling motor vehicle may be operated as provided in
s. 348.08 (1) (c).
348.07(3)(a)(a) The overall length of a mobile home or recreational vehicle shall be measured from the rear thereof to the rear of the vehicle to which it is attached.
348.07(3)(b)1.1. Except as provided in
subd. 2., the length of a semitrailer or trailer shall be measured from the front thereof to the rear of the semitrailer or trailer or cargo, whichever is longer, excluding bumpers, stake pockets, air deflectors and refrigeration units.
348.07(3)(b)2.
2. The length of a semitrailer operated as the first trailing unit in a double bottom consisting of a truck tractor and 2 semitrailers does not include a frame extension bearing a fifth-wheel connection by which the 2nd trailing unit is drawn unless the frame extension is more than 8 feet in length. This subdivision does not affect the measurement of length from the front of the semitrailer to the rear of the cargo.
348.07(3)(c)
(c) The distance between a kingpin and semitrailer axle shall be measured as follows:
348.07(3)(c)1.
1. On a semitrailer having a tandem axle, from the kingpin to a point midway between the first and last axles of the tandem axle.
348.07(3)(c)2.
2. On a semitrailer not having a tandem axle, from the kingpin to the center of the rearmost axle.
348.07(4)
(4) The secretary shall, by rule, designate the highways to which
sub. (2) (f),
(fm), and
(gm) and
s. 348.08 (1) (e) apply. The designation of highways under this subsection may not be inconsistent with the designation of highways made by the U.S. secretary of transportation under
P.L. 97-424, section 411. The secretary may also designate additional highways by rule. In adopting a rule designating other highways, which may include 2-lane highways, the secretary shall specify the factors which resulted in the determination to designate the highways. These factors shall include, but are not limited to, safety, economics, energy savings, industry productivity and competition. Vehicles to which
sub. (2) (f),
(fm), and
(gm) and
s. 348.08 (1) (e) apply may also operate on highways not designated under this subsection for a distance of 15 miles or less in order to obtain access to a highway designated under this subsection or to reach fuel, food, maintenance, repair, rest, staging, terminal or vehicle assembly facilities or points of loading or unloading. The secretary may, by rule, designate an access route of more than 15 miles from a highway designated under this subsection when the longer route provides safer and better access to a location which is within the 15-mile limit. Household goods carriers may operate between highways designated under this subsection and points of loading and unloading.
348.07(4m)
(4m) The secretary shall, by rule, designate those parts of the state trunk highway system to which
sub. (2) (fs) and
(gv) do not apply. For each part of the state trunk highway system designated under this subsection, the secretary shall specify the factors that resulted in the determination to designate the part as not suitable to accommodate vehicle lengths as specified in
sub. (2) (fs) and
(gv). The secretary may, by rule, establish exceptions to the vehicle-combination length limitation specified in
sub. (1), including establishing any greater or lesser length limitation than that specified in
sub. (1), with respect to specific types of vehicles identified by the secretary or highways designated by the secretary, but the secretary may not establish under this subsection any length limitation inconsistent with
sub. (2) or
(2a) or
s. 348.08 (1).
348.07(5)
(5) As often as it deems necessary, the department shall publish maps required for its own use and for free distribution showing the highways designated under
subs. (4) and
(4m), those parts of the state trunk highway system not designated under
sub. (4m), and such other main highways and other features as the department deems desirable.
348.07 History
History: 1975 c. 279;
1977 c. 29 ss.
1487g to
1487m,
1654 (9) (b);
1977 c. 418;
1979 c. 255;
1981 c. 159,
176;
1983 a. 20,
78,
192;
1985 a. 165,
187;
1987 a. 30;
1991 a. 39,
72;
1995 a. 193;
1997 a. 27;
1999 a. 85,
186;
2003 a. 213,
234;
2005 a. 363,
365;
2007 a. 11,
93;
2011 a. 53, s.
2.;
2011 a. 54,
243.
348.07 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
Trans 276, Wis. adm. code.
348.07 Annotation
The state may not prohibit 65-foot double-bottom trailers. Raymond Motor Transportation, Inc. v. Rice,
434 U.S. 429 (1978).
348.08(1)(1) No person, without a permit therefor shall operate on a highway any motor vehicle drawing or having attached thereto more than one vehicle, except that:
348.08(1)(a)
(a) Two or 3 vehicles may, without such permit, be drawn or attached when such vehicles are being transported by the drive-away method in saddlemount combination and the overall length of such combination of vehicles does not exceed 75 feet.
348.08(1)(b)
(b) Two trailers used primarily as implements of husbandry in connection with seasonal agricultural activities or one such trailer and any other implement of husbandry may, without such permit, be drawn by a farm tractor if the operation of such combination of vehicles is exclusively a farming operation and not for the transportation of property for hire and if the overall length of such combination of vehicles does not exceed 60 feet.
348.08(1)(c)
(c) "Tour trains," as defined in
s. 340.01 (67m), may, without such permit, be drawn by a motor vehicle upon and along county and municipal roads and streets and across state trunk highways, and upon and along state trunk highways where there are no alternate municipal or county routes or streets for such operation. The following requirements and restrictions shall apply to "tour train" operations:
348.08(1)(c)1.
1. Tour trains shall operate within a radius of 10 miles from the situs of the beginning and ending of the excursion.
348.08(1)(c)2.
2. Tour trains shall operate only along those portions of the state trunk highway system approved by the department.
348.08(1)(c)3.
3. The towing vehicle shall be of such design and construction that it will safely tow the unit at speeds up to 35 m.p.h. and the towing vehicle shall in no case be a farm-type tractor, but shall be a motor vehicle originally designed and manufactured expressly for operation upon public highways.
348.08(1)(c)5.
5. Tour trains shall be equipped with head lamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, directional signal lamps and reflectors as provided in
ch. 347 and in compliance with these provisions as if the train were a single motor vehicle.
348.08(1)(c)6.
6. All hitches, couplings, safety chains or cables shall be in compliance with
s. 347.47.
348.08(1)(d)
(d) Two trailers transporting empty pressurized or nonpressurized tanks used for hauling or storing liquid agricultural fertilizer or 2 implements of husbandry, including 2 empty trailers used primarily as implements of husbandry in connection with seasonal agricultural activities, may, without such permit, be drawn by a motor truck or truck tractor if the overall length of such combination of vehicles and load does not exceed 60 feet. For purposes of this paragraph, "empty" means less than 20% full.
348.08(1)(f)
(f) A double bottom transporting dairy products from the point of production to the first point of processing may operate on any highway not designated under
s. 348.07 (4) if the overall length of such double bottom does not exceed 60 feet. If the double bottom operates on a highway designated under
s. 348.07 (4),
s. 348.07 (2) (f),
(fm) and
(gm) applies.
348.08(1)(g)
(g) Three trailers containing only warning signs used exclusively for highway maintenance or construction purposes may, without a permit, be drawn by a motor truck if the overall length of the combination of vehicles does not exceed 60 feet.
348.08(1)(h)
(h) Two new trailers or semitrailers to be used for transporting farm products or livestock may, without such permit, be drawn by a motor truck not exceeding 25 feet in length if each trailer or semitrailer is 28 feet 6 inches or less in length and the trailers or semitrailers are being transported directly from a manufacturer to a dealer or directly from a dealer to another dealer. The length of the first trailing unit does not include a frame extension by which the 2nd trailing unit is drawn.
348.08(1)(i)
(i) A 3-vehicle combination consisting of a towing vehicle and, in order by weight, with the lighter of the towed vehicles as the 3rd vehicle in the 3-vehicle combination unless not structurally possible, a recreational vehicle or camping trailer as the 2nd vehicle, and a recreational vehicle, camping trailer, or trailer carrying any vehicle for recreational use or carrying no load as the 3rd vehicle may, without a permit, be operated on a highway if the overall length of the combination of vehicles does not exceed 65 feet and, if the total weight, including any load, of all towed vehicles exceeds 3,000 pounds, one of the towed vehicles is equipped with brakes. No 3-vehicle combination may operate under this paragraph if highway or weather conditions include heavy snow, freezing rain, icy roads, high winds, limited visibility, or upon a highway that is closed or partially closed by the department due to highway conditions.
348.08(2)
(2) Whenever any train of agricultural vehicles is being operated under
sub. (1) (b), the train shall be equipped as provided in
s. 347.21 (1m) and
(2). Whenever any train of agricultural vehicles is being operated under
sub. (1) (d), the train shall be equipped as provided in
s. 347.21 (1) and
(2). The trailer hitches of a train of agricultural vehicles shall be of a positive nature so as to prevent accidental release.
348.08 Annotation
The state may not prohibit 65-foot double-bottom trailers. Raymond Motor Transportation, Inc. v. Rice,
434 U.S. 429 (1978).
348.09
348.09
Projecting loads on side of vehicles. 348.09(1)
(1) No person, without a permit therefor, may operate on a highway any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer carrying any load extending beyond the fender line on the left side or extending more than 6 inches beyond the fender line on the right side of the vehicle.
348.09(2)
(2) This section applies even though the total width of the vehicle and load does not exceed the maximum permitted under
s. 348.05.
348.09 History
History: 1999 a. 85.
348.10
348.10
Special limitations on load. 348.10(1)
(1) No person, without a permit therefor, may operate on a highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles with any load thereon extending more than 3 feet beyond the front of the foremost vehicle, except as provided in
s. 348.07 (2) (j), and except that a vehicle carrying another vehicle equipped with a crane or boom which extends more than 3 feet beyond the front of the foremost vehicle may be operated without permit if the total length of the vehicle or combination of vehicles, measuring from the end of the foremost projection of the load to the rear of the rearmost vehicle, does not exceed statutory length limitations.
348.10(2)
(2) No person shall operate a vehicle on a highway unless such vehicle is so constructed and loaded as to prevent its contents from dropping, sifting, leaking or otherwise escaping therefrom.
348.10(3)
(3) No person may operate on a highway any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer carrying logs unless the logs are transported within a cargo body or are securely fastened to the vehicle by chains, steel cables or other attachment devices of equivalent strength whose safety is approved by the department.
348.10(3m)
(3m) No person may operate on a highway any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer carrying junk or scrapped vehicles unless one of the following conditions is satisfied:
348.10(3m)(a)
(a) Each junk or scrapped vehicle is securely fastened to the vehicle carrying the load by chains, steel cables or other attachment devices of equivalent strength whose safety is approved by the department. In this paragraph, "securely fastened" means that each tier of junk or scrapped vehicles is secured by at least 2 chains, steel cables or other attachment devices across the axis of its width.
348.10(3m)(b)
(b) The vehicle carrying the load is equipped with stakes which are securely fastened by chains, steel cables or other attachment devices of equivalent strength whose safety is approved by the department and the top of the load is lower than the top of the stakes.
348.10(3m)(c)
(c) The vehicle carrying the load is equipped with sides, sideboards or side stakes and with a rear endgate, endboard or rear stakes. These devices shall be of sufficient strength and height to prevent the cargo from shifting upon or falling from the vehicle. No device may have any aperture large enough to permit cargo in contact with one or more of the devices to pass through the aperture.
348.10(4)
(4) All other provisions notwithstanding, no person shall operate on a highway any trailer or semitrailer when the gross weight of the trailer or semitrailer exceeds the empty weight of the towing vehicle, unless the trailer or semitrailer is equipped with brakes as provided in
s. 347.35 (3) (a) and
(b).
348.10(5)
(5) The load imposed upon trailers, semitrailers, recreational vehicles, or mobile homes shall be distributed in a manner that will prevent side sway under all conditions of operation:
348.10(5)(a)
(a) All items of load carried by any trailer, semitrailer, recreational vehicle, or mobile home, except bulk material such as sand, gravel, dirt not in containers, shall be secured to, on or in the trailer, semitrailer, recreational vehicle, or mobile home in such manner as to prevent shifting of the load while the trailer, semitrailer, recreational vehicle, or mobile home is being drawn by a towing vehicle.
348.10(5)(b)
(b) Boats of any type transported on a trailer or semitrailer being drawn by a towing vehicle shall be secured in position at bow and stern by attachments of such strength and design as to prevent the boat from shifting its position on the trailer or becoming separated from the trailer while being transported thereon.
348.10(5)(c)
(c) The load carried by any trailer, semitrailer, recreational vehicle, or mobile home shall be so positioned that a weight of not less than 35 pounds is imposed at the center of the point of attachment to the towing vehicle when parked on a level surface.
348.10 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
Trans 307, Wis. adm. code.
348.11
348.11
Penalty for violating size and load limitations. 348.11(1)(1) Any person violating
s. 348.09 or
348.10 may be required to forfeit not less than $10 nor more than $200.
348.11(2)
(2) Any person violating
ss. 348.05 to
348.08 may be required to forfeit not less than $50 nor more than $100 for the first offense and may be required to forfeit not less than $100 nor more than $200 for the 2nd and each subsequent conviction within one year.
348.11 History
History: 1971 c. 278.
WEIGHT
Subch. III of ch. 348 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
Trans 312, Wis. adm. code.
348.15
348.15
Weight limitations on class "A" highways. 348.15(1)(1) In this section "class `A' highway" includes all state trunk highways and connecting highways and those county trunk highways, town highways and city and village streets, or portions thereof, that have not been designated as class "B" highways pursuant to
s. 349.15.
348.15(3)
(3) Subject to any modifications made by a 1st class city under
s. 349.15 (3) and except as provided in
s. 348.17 (5) or
(6), no person, without a permit, may operate on a class "A" highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles unless the vehicle or combination of vehicles complies with the following weight limitations:
348.15(3)(a)
(a) The gross weight imposed on the highway by any one wheel or multiple wheels supporting one end of an axle may not exceed 11,000 pounds.
348.15(3)(b)
(b) The gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle may not exceed 20,000 pounds. In addition, the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of the steering axle of a truck tractor may not exceed 13,000 pounds unless the manufacturer's rated capacity of the axle and the tires is sufficient to carry the weight, but not to exceed 20,000 pounds.
348.15(3)(bg)
(bg) In the case of a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting exclusively milk from the point of production to the primary market and the return of dairy supplies and dairy products from such primary market to the farm, the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle may not exceed 21,000 pounds or, for 2 axles 8 or less feet apart, 37,000 pounds or, for groups of 3 or more consecutive axles more than 9 feet apart, a weight of 2,000 pounds more than is shown in
par. (c), but not to exceed 80,000 pounds. This paragraph does not apply to the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for that portion of USH 51 between Wausau and STH 78 and that portion of STH 78 between USH 51 and the I 90/94 interchange near Portage upon their federal designation as I 39.
348.15(3)(br)
(br) In the case of a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting exclusively peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise or in the case of a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting exclusively scrap metal, the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle may not exceed 21,500 pounds or, for 2 axles 8 or less feet apart, 37,000 pounds or, for groups of 3 or more consecutive axles more than 9 feet apart, a weight of 4,000 pounds more than is shown in
par. (c), but not to exceed 80,000 pounds. This paragraph does not apply to the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for that portion of USH 51 between Wausau and STH 78 and that portion of STH 78 between USH 51 and the I 90/94 interchange near Portage upon their federal designation as I 39.
348.15(3)(bv)
(bv) In the case of a vehicle or combination of vehicles used primarily for the transportation of septage, as defined in
s. 281.49 (1) (m), the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle may not exceed 21,500 pounds or, for 2 axles 8 or less feet apart, 37,000 pounds or, for groups of 3 or more consecutive axles more than 9 feet apart, a weight of 4,000 pounds more than is shown in
par. (c) or, for groups of 4 or more consecutive axles more than 10 feet apart, a weight of 6,000 pounds more than is shown in
par. (c) or, for groups of 5 or more consecutive axles more than 14 feet apart, a weight of 7,000 pounds more than is shown in
par. (c), but not to exceed 80,000 pounds. This paragraph does not apply to the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for that portion of USH 51 between Wausau and STH 78 and that portion of STH 78 between USH 51 and the I 90/94 interchange near Portage upon their federal designation as I 39.
348.15(3)(c)
(c) The gross weight imposed on the highway by any group of 2 or more consecutive axles of a vehicle or combination of vehicles may not exceed the maximum gross weights in the following table for each of the respective distances between axles and the respective numbers of axles of a group: [See Figure 348.15 (3) (c) following]
-
See PDF for table 
348.15(3)(d)
(d) Notwithstanding
par. (c), 2 consecutive sets of tandem axles may impose on the highway a gross load of 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance between the first and last axles of such consecutive sets of tandem axles is 36 feet or more.
348.15(3)(e)
(e) Notwithstanding
pars. (a),
(b) and
(c), in the case of a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting exclusively livestock, the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle or axle group may exceed the applicable weight limitation specified in
pars. (a),
(b) and
(c) by 15% if the gross weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles does not exceed the maximum gross weight specified for that vehicle or combination of vehicles under
par. (c). This paragraph does not apply to the national system of interstate and defense highways, except for that portion of USH 51 between Wausau and STH 78 and that portion of STH 78 between USH 51 and the I 90/94 interchange near Portage upon their federal designation as I 39.
