What are the federal overhang allowances for stinger-steered auto carriers?

Under the federal FAST Act (49 U.S.C. 31111), stinger-steered automobile transporters are permitted an 80-foot overall vehicle length, with cargo overhangs of up to 4 feet in the front and 6 feet in the rear without requiring oversize permits on designated highways.

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Stinger-Steered Auto Carrier Overhang & Height Restrictions

Complete operational manual covering federal FAST Act automobile transporter overhang provisions (4' front / 6' rear), 80-foot overall vehicle length, and 14-foot maximum height clearance management.

FAST Act Overhang Protections

Federal law protects stinger-steered carriers allowing 4 feet of front overhang beyond the bumper and 6 feet of rear overhang beyond the trailer tail deck on the National Highway System without oversize permits.

80-Foot Length Allowance

Stinger-steered combinations have a statutory minimum overall length limit of 80 feet (excluding authorized overhangs), providing 90 feet of effective carrying capacity for 9 to 11 full-size passenger vehicles.

14-Foot Height Envelope

Western states permit 14'0" loaded height, while eastern states restrict non-permitted height to 13'6". Hydraulic deck cylinder locks and precision height measuring sticks prevent catastrophic bridge strikes.

Stinger-Steered Dimension & Overhang Verification

Front Overhang Beyond Bumper (Feet)

Rear Overhang Beyond Tail Deck (Feet)

Maximum Loaded Vehicle Height (Inches)

FAST Act Regulatory Compliance Status:

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Automobile Carrier Configuration Comparison

Transporter Design	Federal Length Limit	Allowable Front Overhang	Allowable Rear Overhang	Exspeedite Automated Verification
Stinger-Steered Combination	80' Minimum (excluding overhang)	4 Feet (FAST Act)	6 Feet (FAST Act)	Total length calculation & routing check
Traditional High-Mount (Fifth-Wheel)	65' on Non-Designated Highways	3 Feet Standard	4 Feet Standard	State-by-state overhang permit alert
Enclosed Multi-Car Auto Carrier	53' Trailer (Standard Combination)	0 Feet (Fully Enclosed)	0 Feet (Fully Enclosed)	Tailgate lift deployment safety log
Driveaway / Saddlemount	97' Overall Length	0 Feet	0 Feet	Full saddle ball-mount mechanical inspection

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