Chapter Trans 260

Trans 260.09(4) (4) A permit issued for mobile homes and modular building sections having an outside-to-outside dimension exceeding 15 feet in width, not including roof overhang or having a maximum width for the bottom of the roofline of the towed unit equal to or exceeding 16 feet is subject to the permit conditions applying to 16 foot wide mobile homes and modular building sections in s. Trans 260.16.

Trans 260.09(5) (5) Vehicles and loads which when reasonably divided would not be oversize or overweight may not be transported under the permit.

Trans 260.09(6) (6) Loads which, when reasonably repositioned on the transporting vehicle, would not be oversize or overweight may not be transported under the permit.

Trans 260.09 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91; CR 01-093: am. (3) and (4), r. (5) to (7), renum. (8) and (9) to be (5) and (6), Register June 2002 No. 558, eff. 7-1-02.

Trans 260.10 Trans 260.10 Equipment requirements.

Trans 260.10(1) (1) Lighting. An oversize vehicle, or a vehicle with an oversize load operating during the hours of darkness, shall be equipped with the following additional lamps:

Trans 260.10(1)(a) (a) For a vehicle with a load which extends beyond the width of the vehicle:

Trans 260.10(1)(a)1. 1. At the outermost extremity of the foremost edge of the projecting load, an amber lamp visible from the front and side.

Trans 260.10(1)(a)2. 2. At the outermost extremity at the rearmost edge of the projecting load, a red lamp visible from the rear and side.

Trans 260.10(1)(a)3. 3. Any portion of an overwidth load extending beyond the width of the foremost or rearmost edge of the vehicle or load, shall be marked with an amber lamp visible from the front, both sides, and rear.

Trans 260.10(1)(a)4. 4. If the overwidth portion of the load measures 3 feet or less from front to rear, that portion shall be marked with an amber lamp visible from the front, both sides and rear, except that if the overwidth projection is located at or near the rear it shall be marked by a red lamp visible from front, side and rear.

Trans 260.10(1)(b) (b) For a vehicle with a load which extends more than 4 feet beyond the rear of the vehicle:

Trans 260.10(1)(b)1. 1. On each side of the projecting load, one red lamp, visible from the side, located so as to indicate maximum overhang.

Trans 260.10(1)(b)2. 2. On the rear of the projecting load, 2 red lamps, visible from the rear, one at each side; and 2 red reflectors visible from the rear, one at each side, located so as to indicate maximum width.

Trans 260.10(1)(c) (c) All required lamps shall be illuminated whenever a vehicle is operated during hours of darkness. All lamps shall be visible at a distance of 500 feet.

Trans 260.10(2) (2) Warning lamps. When required by a permit, warning lamps shall be operated as follows:

Trans 260.10(2)(a) (a) All mobile homes and modular building sections over 12 feet in width shall have an operating amber flashing or revolving warning lamp a minimum of 8 feet above the roadway at the rear of the towed unit near its center point, visible 500 feet to the rear, or 2 such operating amber flashing or revolving warning lamps, at the left and right rear extremities of the towed unit located a minimum of 8 feet above the roadway and visible 500 feet to the rear.

Trans 260.10(2)(b) (b) All amber flashing or revolving warning lamps shall have a reflector at least 6 inches in diameter and shall be bright enough to be clearly visible and attention-attracting at a distance of 500 feet under all conditions when the load is on the highway, except when visibility is obstructed by a hillcrest, a curve, or an object such as another vehicle.

Trans 260.10(2)(c) (c) All power units, when transporting a mobile home or modular building section over 81⁄2 feet in width shall have 2 amber flashing or revolving warning lamps mounted above the cab. Flashers shall be mounted at least 8 feet above the roadway and shall be visible to the front. When 2 lamps are provided, they shall be mounted at the same level, shall be separated laterally as much as possible, and shall flash simultaneously.

Trans 260.10(2)(d) (d) All warning lamps shall flash at a rate of 30 to 90 times per minute.

Trans 260.10(2)(e) (e) Strobe lamps may be used in lieu of flashing or revolving lamps.

Trans 260.10(2)(f) (f) Warning lamps may not be operated when a vehicle is not operating under the permit.

Trans 260.10(3) (3) Flags.

Trans 260.10(3)(a) (a) When a vehicle, load, or vehicle and load is overlength, a single flag shall be fastened at the extreme rear of the load if the overlength or projecting portion is 2 feet wide or less.

Trans 260.10(3)(b) (b) When a vehicle, load, or vehicle and load [is] overlength, 2 flags shall be fastened at the rear of the load to indicate maximum width if the overlength or projecting portion is wider than 2 feet.

Trans 260.10(3)(c) (c) When a vehicle, load, or vehicle and load is overwidth, a flag shall be fastened at each front and rear corner of the load. In addition, if any part of the load is more than 4 inches wider than the width of load or vehicle at the front or rear, a flag shall be placed at the widest point of the load.

Trans 260.10(3)(d) (d) Each flag shall be solid red or orange in color, and not less than 18 inches square.

Trans 260.10(3)(e) (e) In order to wave freely, flags shall be securely fastened by at least one corner or securely mounted on a staff.

Trans 260.10(4) (4) Signs.

Trans 260.10(4)(a) (a) When a vehicle, load, or vehicle and load is more than 10 feet in width or is overlength, 2 warning signs shall be displayed. One sign shall be fastened at the front of the power unit and the other at either the rear of the towed unit or at the rear of the load.

Trans 260.10(4)(b) (b) Each sign shall state, in black letters on a yellow background,“OVERSIZE LOAD,” and may not be less than 7 feet long and 18 inches high. The letters of the sign may not be less than 10 inches high with a brush stroke of not less than 1.4 inches.

Trans 260.10(4)(c) (c) The sign message may not be displayed when the vehicle is not operating under the permit.

Trans 260.10(5) (5) Truck weight and tires. Unless otherwise specified in a permit:

Trans 260.10(5)(a) (a) A vehicle towing a mobile home or modular building section more than 81⁄2 feet in width but less than 12 feet in width shall be a truck of not less than 16,000 pounds manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating. The power unit shall be equipped with dual wheels on the drive axle and the minimum size of the tires shall be 10 ply 8.25 x 20, or equivalent.

Trans 260.10(5)(b) (b) A vehicle towing a mobile home or modular building section 12 feet in width, but not more than 16 feet in width, shall be a truck of not less than 19,200 pounds manufacturers’ gross vehicle weight rating. The power unit shall be equipped with dual wheels on the drive axle and the minimum size of the tires shall be 10 ply 8.25 x 20, or equivalent.

Trans 260.10(6) (6) Mudguards. Mobile home and modular building sections and the power unit operating under a permit shall be equipped with rear fenders or mudguards of such material and constructed and placed as to restrict to a minimum the splashing of water, mud, stones, and other material which may be thrown up by the rear wheels. If mudguards are provided, they shall be at least as wide as the tire and shall cover the tire or multiple tires they are guarding starting at the top from a line drawn vertically through the center of the axle and extending rearward and downward so that the fender or mudguard under any condition of operation or loading of the vehicle has a ground clearance of not more than 1/3 of the horizontal distance from the center of the rearmost axle to the fender or mudguard.

Trans 260.10 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91.

Trans 260.11 Trans 260.11 Times of operation.

Trans 260.11(1) (1) Except as otherwise specified in a permit, no vehicle, or vehicle combination operating under a permit that is equal to or less than 12 feet in width, 131⁄2 feet in height, and 100 feet in length, may operate:

Trans 260.11(1)(a) (a) Between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Trans 260.11(1)(b) (b) Between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Friday between the 4th Friday in May and Labor Day.

Trans 260.11(1)(c) (c) Between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on any holiday, or, when Independence Day falls on Sunday, on the following Monday.

Trans 260.11(1)(d) (d) Between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on the day before any holiday, except that this restriction does not apply to Independence Day when it falls on a Sunday.

Trans 260.11(2) (2) In addition to the conditions provided in sub. (1), no vehicle combination operating under a permit that exceeds 12 feet in width, 131⁄2 feet in height, or 100 feet in length, may be operated:

Trans 260.11(2)(a) (a) During the hours of darkness.

Trans 260.11(2)(b) (b) During the period beginning at 12:00 noon on the day preceding and continuing until sunrise on the day following every Sunday and holiday.

Trans 260.11(3) (3) In addition to the conditions provided in subs. (1) and (2), no oversize vehicle or vehicle combination may operate on any part of the Milwaukee county expressway system constructed pursuant to s. 59.84, Stats.:

Trans 260.11(3)(a) (a) Between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday.

Trans 260.11(3)(b) (b) Between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Sunday.

Trans 260.11(3a) (3a) Subsection (3) does not apply to U.S. highway 45 between West Florist Avenue and West Hampton Avenue or to interstate highway 94 between the Waukesha county line and 108th Street.

Trans 260.11(4) (4) An issuing authority may issue a permit for times other than those specified in subs. (1), (2), or (3), under extraordinary circumstances when, in the opinion of the issuing authority, public health and welfare is better served, and may impose additional conditions to promote the safe operation of the vehicle and load.

Trans 260.11 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91; am. (3) (intro.), cr. (3a), Register, July, 1991, No. 427, eff. 8-1-91; correction in (3) (intro.) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.

Trans 260.12 Trans 260.12 Route limitations.

Trans 260.12(1) (1) A permit is valid only on the route specified in the permit.

Trans 260.12(2) (2) No permit allowing the dimensions of a vehicle or load to exceed 11 feet in width, 131⁄2 feet in height or 100 feet in length is valid on any part of the Milwaukee county expressway system constructed pursuant to s. 59.84, Stats., except on U.S. highway 45 between West Florist Avenue and West Hampton Avenue and on interstate highway 94 between the Waukesha county line and 108th Street.

Trans 260.12(3) (3) A permit issued by an issuing authority authorizes the use of any of the highways of the state, subject to the limitations stated in [the] permit.

Trans 260.12(4) (4) An oversize vehicle may not be operated on a highway, whether loaded or empty, at any time that the permit is not valid.

Trans 260.12 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91; correction in (2) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.

Trans 260.13 Trans 260.13 Power unit change. In the event of a breakdown or unavailability of the power unit listed on the application and permit, another power unit may be substituted, provided that the make and vehicle identification number, or license number and state, of the substitute power unit are written on the permit. The issuing authority shall be advised by telephone prior to operating the substitute power unit with the oversize load. Changes in the terms of the permit other than the identification of the power unit require a written request and a written amendment to the permit authorizing the change. The driver of a vehicle operating under a permit shall have the amended permit in his or her possession prior to the movement of the load.

Trans 260.13 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91.

Trans 260.14 Trans 260.14 Insurance and liability conditions.

Trans 260.14(1) (1) In applying for and accepting a permit, permittee agrees to:

Trans 260.14(1)(a) (a) Pay any claim for any bodily injury or property damage resulting from operation under the permit for which the permittee is legally responsible.

Trans 260.14(1)(b) (b) Hold the state, its subdivisions, officers, employees and agents harmless from any claim which may arise from operation over public highways under the permit.

Trans 260.14(2) (2) Whether or not insurance, bond, or deposit as set forth in sub. (7) is required, the permittee shall be liable for all damages which any highway or its appurtenances may sustain by reason of any operation under the permit.

Trans 260.14(3) (3) An issuing authority may waive insurance requirements for permits issued to government.

Trans 260.14(4) (4) Where a certificate of insurance is required, no insurer may cancel the certificate of insurance without providing the issuing authority 10 days advance written notice of the cancellation.

Trans 260.14(5) (5) An issuing authority may require a permittee to provide more bodily injury and property damage liability coverage than is set forth in sub. (6).

Trans 260.14(6) (6) The following insurance amounts are required:

Trans 260.14(6)(a) (a) When the permitted power unit and mobile home or modular building section combination does not exceed 12 feet in width, and 131⁄2 feet in height or 100 feet in length:

Trans 260.14(6)(b) (b) When the permitted load exceeds the size limitations in par. (a):

Trans 260.14(7) (7) A permittee shall certify, and may be required to present satisfactory written evidence, that the amount of insurance coverage given in sub. (6), or a bond in a form satisfactory to the issuing authority, will be in effect for the vehicle and load designated in the permit while operating on the public highway, unless this requirement is expressly waived by the issuing authority.

Trans 260.14 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91.

Trans 260.15 Trans 260.15 General conditions and requirements.

Trans 260.15(1) (1) A permittee shall comply with all applicable statutes, ordinances, rules and policies of any state agency or subdivision of the state, unless they are modified by the conditions of the permit.

Trans 260.15(2) (2) When a vehicle operating under a permit is overheight, the permittee shall give prior notice to the owners of overhead wires, cables or other facilities which may be affected.

Trans 260.15(3) (3) A properly equipped escort vehicle as described in ch. Trans 252 shall accompany a vehicle and load:

Trans 260.15(3)(a) (a) When any part of a vehicle or load extends beyond the left of the roadway centerline on 2-way roadways,

Trans 260.15(3)(am) (am) When the maximum width of a mobile home or modular building section, not including roof overhang, exceeds 15 feet, or the maximum width for the bottom of the roofline exceeds 16 feet,

Trans 260.15(3)(b) (b) When any part of a vehicle or load extends beyond the left edge of the right hand lane on highways with more than 2 lanes, or

Trans 260.15(3)(c) (c) On a highway designated in a permit.

Trans 260.15(4) (4) A vehicle and load that does not require an escort vehicle may, when safe, move to the left of the centerline or beyond the left lane line while crossing a bridge or railroad crossing, but only after yielding to all other traffic.

Trans 260.15 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91; CR 01-093: cr. (3) (am), Register June 2002 No. 558, eff. 7-1-02.

Trans 260.16 Trans 260.16 Single trip 16 foot wide mobile home and modular building sections.

Trans 260.16(1) (1) On routes other than on state trunk highways, a permit for a 16 foot wide mobile home or modular building section may be issued only upon presentation of written approval from the authority maintaining the highway, or oral approval in the form of a telephone call from the authority maintaining the highway to the department.

Trans 260.16(2) (2) When transporting a 16 foot wide mobile home, the power unit shall be stopped when necessary by the driver to allow traffic to pass from either direction without delay.

Trans 260.16(3) (3) The wheels of a 16 foot wide mobile home or undercarriage shall be operated as close to the right edge of the shoulder as possible in order to provide minimum interference with the left lane of traffic. However, to minimize damage to the shoulder in the area immediately adjacent to the pavement, the right wheels may not be operated on the shoulder within 2 feet of the edge of the pavement except to cross this area.

Trans 260.16(4) (4) The maximum speed of a 16 foot wide mobile home or modular building section operating on highways without paved shoulders shall be 35 miles per hour.

Trans 260.16(5) (5) In addition to the amber flashing or revolving lamps specified in s. Trans 260.10 (2), each 16 foot wide mobile home or modular building section shall be equipped with a similar lamp visible from the front of the vehicle when operated on 2-way roadways.