Minnesota Transportation Manual for Modular Homes

From MBSAwiki

This article examines the laws and regulations governing the transportation of modular homes within the State of Minnesota and is available for use solely as a resource. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this article, use of the information contained on this page constitutes agreement and understanding that the Modular Building Systems Association (MBSA) is in no way responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information contained herein and that the MBSA is not responsible for any situations that arise from reliance on the within information. This includes errors, omissions or changes to any law or regulation that are not reflected in this document.

Detailed advice and assistance with transportation issues pertaining to the transportation of modular homes is available to members of the MBSA as part of their membership. If you require advice or consultation on the transportation of modular homes, please join the MBSA.

Contents 1 Legal Limits: 2 Permit Limits: 3 State Permit Fee: 4 Towing Vehicle: 5 Escort(s): 5.1 Civilian Escorts 5.2 Police Escorts 6 Signs: 7 Flags: 8 Lights: 9 Hours of Travel: 9.1 Summer Travel Hours 9.2 Winter Travel Hours 9.3 Holiday Travel Hours 10 Weather Conditions: 11 Miscellaneous Information: 11.1 Routes 11.2 Additional Considerations 12 Appendix & References

Legal Limits:

• Combination Length: 75’
• Mobile Home Length: 45’
• Width: 8’6”
• Height: 13’6”

Permit Limits:

• Combination Length: 103’ (truck toter and home)
• Mobile Home Length: 80’
• Width: 16’
• Height: Max permit height not listed

State Permit Fee:

• $15 for each single trip permit.
• $36 for each job permit.
  • A job permit may be issued for like loads carried on a specific route for a period not to exceed two months.
  • "Like loads" means loads of the same product, weight, and dimension.
• $120 for an oversize annual permit to be issued for a period not to exceed 12 consecutive months. Annual permits may be issued for:
  • mobile cranes;
  • construction equipment, machinery, and supplies;
  • manufactured homes

Towing Vehicle:

• 8’6’’ wide by 75’ long overall (car or truck and trailer combine) is legal and does not require a permit. The maximum legal length of a trailer is 45’. An Oversize Transportation Permit must be obtained when moving larger sizes.
• 8’6’’ wide by greater than 75’ overall length must be towed by a ¾ ton, or higher rated capacity, truck.
• 10’ wide must be towed by ¾ ton, or higher rated capacity, truck with dual wheels (4 tires) on the drive axle and at least a 100 inch wheelbase.
• 12’, 14’, and 16’ wide must be towed by a 2-ton, or higher rated capacity, truck with dual wheels on drive axle(s) and at least a 100-inch wheelbase

Escort(s):

Civilian Escorts

• The escort policy of loads 14'6" to 16'6" wide shall be a minimum of 1 escort vehicle on divided highways and a minimum of 2 escort vehicles on single lane highways. Loads in excess of 16'6" wide shall have a minimum of 2 escort vehicles.
• The escort policy for the movement of long loads shall have be as follows:
  • 95 feet and under - no escort required;
  • 95 feet to 110 feet - one escort minimum;
  • Over 110 feet - two escorts minimum.
• Escort vehicles are used to warn traffic of unusual conditions and the permit issuing authority will determine the need for such vehicles. Permittee shall yield the right of way to oncoming traffic and shall not encroach in the oncoming traffic lane unless escorted by a law enforcement vehicle operated in the manner prescribed by Minnesota Statute 169.20, Subd. 5.
• An escort vehicle may be a passenger car, station wagon or pickup truck in good operating condition. The escort vehicle driver shall be not less than 18 years of age.
• The appropriate "Oversize Load" sign shall be displayed on top of the escort vehicle. A minimum of one warning light, meeting the requirements specified under Warning Lights of this section, must be mounted on each side of the required sign and the sign message must be legible to the traffic it is warning.
• In some cases, including but not limited to route deficiencies in vertical or horizontal sight distance or narrow bridges, one or more escort vehicles may be required to warn and protect approaching and/or over-taking traffic. The escort vehicle(s), if required, shall precede the escorted vehicle by not less than 300 feet or more than 700 feet or, if required, shall follow the escorted vehicle at a safe distance but shall be close enough to be readily identified with the movement.
• "Oversize Load" signs, warning lights and flags shall be removed, covered, or turned off when not actively engaged in the movement of over size vehicles and loads.
• Each individual permitted vehicle shall have the required escort vehicle(s). The permitted vehicles and escort(s) must have radio communications with each other.

Police Escorts

• The term "Police" when used in this section shall be defined as a licensed law enforcement officer.
• A police escort is to be used to direct and control traffic.
• It shall be the prime responsibility of the permittee to determine the need for police escort; however, the permit issuing authority may require a police escort as necessary, included but not limited to route deficiencies because of vertical or horizontal sight distance or narrow bridges.
• The permittee shall be responsible for police escort fee.
• If the permittee is not able to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic or if vehicle will encroach into the oncoming traffic lane, the police escort shall be operated in the following manner as per Minnesota Statute 169.20, Subd. 5 for an authorized emergency vehicle(s).

EMERGENCY VEHICLE Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle equipped with at least one lighted lamp exhibiting red light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet to the front of such vehicle and, except where otherwise not required by law, when the driver is giving audible signal by siren, the driver of each other vehicle shall yield the right of way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the highway, clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in this position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer. The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle escorting the movement of a vehicle or load which is oversize or overweight need not sound an audible signal or siren but shall exhibit the light required by this paragraph. The driver of each other vehicle then shall yield the right of way, as required by this paragraph, to the emergency vehicle escorting the vehicle or load, which is oversize or overweight. This subdivision shall not operate to relieve the driver of authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of persons using the highways.

Signs:

• “Oversize Load” signs are required on all vehicles or loads that exceed 12’ wide.
• “Oversize Load” signs are required on all vehicles or loads the exceed 95’ long.
• "Oversize Load" signs shall meet the following requirements:
  • Be constructed of rigid material or mounted on a flat surface that makes the sign flat and legible to all approaching traffic.
  • Be a minimum size of 18 inches high by 84 inches long. (Minimum 12" wide by 60" long on escort vehicles.
  • The sign background shall be yellow.
  • Letters on Oversize Load signs shall be 10 inch series C with a 1 - 3/8 inch stroke and black in color.
  • The sign panels shall be lighted when used between the hours of sunset to sunrise. Lighting shall be such that it will enable reading the sign message from a distance of 500 feet.
• The sign shall be kept clean, legible, and in good repair when in use.
• The appropriate sign shall be mounted on or above the escort vehicle, cab of the towing vehicle, and on the rear of the trailing vehicle or load, not less than 5 feet above the ground.
• Signs shall only be displayed when escorting or moving an oversize load.
• The "Oversize Load" sign shall be the required sign on the towing vehicle, towed vehicle, and/or load. "Wide Load" and "Long Load" signs must be used on escort vehicles. Signs shall not extend beyond the line of the fenders on the left side nor more than 6 inches beyond the fender line on the right side of the escort vehicles.
• The permit issuing authority may require additional signs as may be deemed necessary to conduct a safe move.

Flags:

• Vehicle or combination of vehicles and/or loads exceeding 9' in width and/or 65' in length are required to display red, orange, or yellow day-glo warning flags that are a minimum of 18' square, mounted on brackets or standards or are otherwise securely attached at the widest point of the over legal width load and shall be clearly visible to approaching and overtaking vehicles.
• Whenever the long loads, beams, trusses, poles or pipe are transported using a pole dolly or steering dolly, warning flags shall be attached to the underside of the load, spaced not more than 20 feet apart.
• Warning flags shall be clean, in good repair, and shall have not less than two corners attached to the bracket or standard.
• Any projection extending more than 3 feet ahead of the front bumper or 4 feet or more to the rear of the bed of the vehicle shall display a red warning flag not less than 18 inches square. During those times (night) when lighted lamps on vehicles are required by Minnesota Statute, a steady red light or red lantern plainly visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the sides and rear shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of the load as per Minnesota Statute 169.51 and 160.52 in place of the yellow light.

Lights:

• Warning lights mean an electric light, operated by battery or other power source that is visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions.
  • Two simultaneously flashing warning lights, spaced as far apart as practical, shall show white or amber to the front and amber or red to the rear, and shall flash at a flash rate of 60 to 90 flashes per minute. The warning light lens shall be a minimum of 4” diameter or have a minimum lens surface area of 12.5 square inches.
  • Instead of a pair of warning lights that flash simultaneously, either one or two strobe light(s) or rotating beacon light(s) with amber or yellow lens may be used both to the front and to the rear of the vehicle.
• Amber or yellow lights must be used in lieu of or in conjunction with flags for night movements at all points that require flags for daylight movement. These lights are to be used in addition to any warning lights required for oversize loads.
• Two warning lights are required, front and rear, to be used in conjunction with the "Oversize Load" signs and these lights shall show simultaneous flashing white or amber to the front and either amber or red to the rear.
• The warning lights shall be mounted a minimum of 20 inches above the ground and shall be clearly visible to approaching and overtaking traffic.
• Warning lights must be turned off, covered, or removed when not escorting or moving a load.

Hours of Travel:

• Vehicle/Vehicle Combinations that are 10’ wide or less, 75’ long or less, and 14’ high or less are allowed to travel during rush hours.
• Vehicles being only overweight (and within all other legal limits) are allowed to travel during rush hours. All others must follow the restricted hours of movement

This schedule is for loads that exceed 9’ wide, 14’ high, 85’ long.

Summer Travel Hours

• Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend
  • Sunday & Friday 2am-2pm
  • Monday—Thursday & Saturday 2am-10pm
• No Movement in the Twin Cities Metro Area during Rush Hours
  • Monday—Friday from 6am-8:30am & 3:30pm-6pm
• No Movement in the Duluth City Limits during Rush Hours
  • Monday—Friday from 7:30AM-8:30am & 4:00pm-5:30pm

Winter Travel Hours

• Labor Day Weekend to Memorial Day Weekend
  • Sunday—Saturday 2am-2pm
• No Movement in the Twin Cities Metro Area during Rush Hours
  • Monday—Friday from 6AM-8:30am & 3:30pm-6pm
• No Movement in the Duluth City Limits during Rush Hours
  • Monday—Friday from 7:30AM-8:30am & 4:00pm-5:30pm

Holiday Travel Hours

• Day before Weekday Holiday, or Friday before Holiday That Falls On:
  • Saturday, Sunday or Monday, Travel Allowed 2am-2pm
• Day of Weekday Holiday or Saturday, Sunday, Monday of Holiday Weekend: ==
  • Travel Allowed 2am-6am

Weather Conditions:

Movement must not begin if less than a ¼ mile of visibility or if highway surface conditions are hazardous. If movement has already begun, and adverse conditions, such as fog, heavy rain or snow, high or gusty winds, icy or other hazardous driving conditions develop, then movement must be halted until conditions improve and/or permission to proceed has been given. Mobile home movement is not authorized when winds exceed 25 mph.

Miscellaneous Information:

Routes

• The permittee must stop movement immediately before the permitted vehicles will enter and exceed posted weight limits.
• Towed unit wheels must be kept off shoulders, but home may overhang shoulder.
• Unless a lead and rear police/LPA vehicle is used, the permittee must not encroach into oncoming or adjacent traffic lanes.
• The permittee must have approval of local highway authority for movement off the State Trunk Highway System, which consists of Interstate, U.S., and Minnesota designated routes.

Additional Considerations

• A few states require license plates on USED Mobile Homes. This Permit has no bearing on license reciprocity agreements. The applicant should contact the Department of Public Safety, Prorate & Reciprocity Section at (651) 405-6161.
• When moving new Mobile Homes, all “for hire haulers” must use the Drive Away-In Transit (DIT) license. This does not apply to a manufacturer who may be issued “NEW VEHICLE IN TRANSIT” Plates if they are also a licensed dealer in the state. License plates are not required on either new or used Mobile Homes owned by dealers.
• Tax clearance from county auditor (delinquent tax) & treasurer (current tax) is required before a move of a used Mobile Home may be authorized. It is only required when the move originates in Minnesota. It is required, even if home is on a dealer’s lot or if it moves within only one county. Mn/DOT can accept verbal confirmation if the permittee furnishes the names of the people in the auditor & treasurer office, who gave the tax clearance plus the date and time.
• Whether used or new, Mobile Homes may be moved on Single Trip, or Annual permits.
• In order to be issued an Oversize Only Annual Permit, the towing vehicle must have a Minnesota base plate or be registered with Minnesota under the I.R.P. Prorate System. Single Trip Permits can be issued to any properly licensed vehicle.
• A private owner of a Mobile Home may apply for and be issued a permit if all requirements are met.
• The serial number is the prime identification of a Mobile Home. At a minimum, the last four digits of the serial number must be listed on ALL permits. On Oversize Only Annual Permits, the serial number must appear on the Annual Permit Log Sheet with make and size under “Load & Size.”
• Mobile Home and Modular Home permits will be issued for over legal height when loaded on a low-slung trailer or undercarriage. Routes normally closed to 14’ and 16’ wide homes, may not be opened to permits, solely to accommodate an over legal height home.
• “Park Model” trailers will be moved under the same requirements as Mobile Homes.
• When moving in zone(s) that is/are posted during spring road restrictions, homes over 14’6’’ wide are subject to a permit fee of $135.00.

Appendix & References