RVIA Director of State Affairs Michael Ochs last week testified remotely before the Washington Senate Transportation Committee in support of state Senate Bill 5824.
The legislation would detail how to properly measure a fifth wheel to ensure the RV stays within the current 46-foot limit.
The bill would require the distance between the center of the kingpin and the trailer’s rearmost extremity to be 46 feet or less. If the legislation passes, state plan approvals will likely have to specify that a fifth wheel complies with the rule.
RVIA said by setting a fifth wheel measurement in state law, the plans should be able to be approved. Ochs said RVIA supports the legislation.
“The changes being contemplated by this proposed substitute will clarify the proper method by designating the distance from the kingpin to the rear extremity of the trailer as its length,” according to Ochs’ written testimony. “This method is very similar to a law in California that was passed several years ago to correctly measure the length of fifth wheel travel trailers, based on input from the state highway patrol.”
The bill was developed by RV dealers in the state. RVIA said dealers are concerned about selling all fifth wheels because the Department of Labor and Industries has disapproved some plans as being too long.
Four RV dealers also testified in support of the legislation, led by RVDA’s executive committee member LaDonna Meadows of Tacoma RV. Randy Edwards of RV Country, John McLeod of Camper’s Choice RV and Charlie Power of RV Country joined her.
Click here for video of the hearing (jump to 54:30 for the hearing on Senate Bill 5824).
RVIA testified in support of a companion bill, House Bill 2467, which was scheduled for a hearing in the House Transportation Committee.
