Michigan Senate passes bill to allow 53-foot tridems

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (March 7, 2002) — The Michigan Senate has passed a bill to amend the state’s vehicle code to allow 53-foot tridem trailers starting next April.

The Senate voted 36-0 to approve its version of House Bill 5205, sponsored by Rep. Judson Gilbert, on March 5. The House of Representatives passed a similar bill Jan. 29, but now must approve a Senate amendment to delay implementation of the changes until April 2003. The Ontario Trucking Association, which lobbied hard for the bill, issued a statement saying it was confident the legislation would quickly pass the House and that Governor George Engler would sign it into law as early as this week or next.

Although the bill would allow an additional axle, it does not affect current gross vehicle weights.

The bill also would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to specify that all semi-trailers longer than 50 feet would have to have a wheelbase of 37.5 to 40.5 feet, plus or minus 0.5 foot, measured from the kingpin to the centre of the rear axle assembly. This amendment, which would take effect immediately, is designed to address a problem for those trucking companies doing business between Ontario and California and traversing Michigan with fixed wheelbase equipment.