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Committee hears industry-backed clarification on fifth-wheel trailer length measurement
Summary
A substitute for SB 5824 would clarify how fifth-wheel travel trailers are measured (kingpin to rear extremity) so such trailers conform with the state's 46-foot overall length limit; RV dealers and associations testified that the change preserves safety while keeping Washington competitive with neighboring states.
The Senate Transportation Committee on Jan. 22 heard testimony supporting a proposed substitute to Senate Bill 5824 that clarifies how fifth-wheel travel trailers are measured for length under Washington law.
Brandon Popovac, committee staff, explained the substitute designates the distance from the kingpin to the rear-most point of the trailer as the measurement used to determine compliance with the state's vehicle-length standard and would explicitly authorize fifth-wheel travel trailers up to 46 feet under that method.
Industry witnesses — including Michael Oakes of the RV Industry Association, dealership owners LaDonna Meadows and John McLeod, and others — said the substitute resolves an inconsistency that has prevented some industry-standard models from being sold in Washington. "The changes being contemplated…will clarify the proper method by designating the distance from the kingpin to the rear extended extremity of the trailer as its length," Oakes testified.
Dealers and manufacturers argued the bill does not change current maximum allowable lengths on the road but aligns measurement practice to vehicle design and neighboring-state standards, preserving safety and competitiveness.
Why it matters: Supporters said the clarification prevents Washington dealers from being at a competitive disadvantage and improves regulatory clarity for manufacturers, law enforcement and consumers.
What’s next: Committee received multiple pro testimonies and a pro/con sign-in summary; no vote was taken at the hearing.
