How far can something hang off the back of a truck in Texas?
Texas generally does not allow a load to extend more than 4 feet beyond the vehicle's rear unless another law permits it. That maximum is separate from visibility equipment: daylight flags apply when the load extends more than 4 feet beyond the vehicle rear, while specified nighttime lamps and reflectors apply at 4 feet or more beyond the bed or body.
The standard maximum and daylight flag provision use the vehicle's rear. The nighttime equipment provision measures from the rear of the bed or body.
More than 4 ft beyond the vehicle's rear: red flags at least 12 in square must mark the load extremities and be placed where the lamps would be required.
At least 4 ft beyond the bed or body: two rear red lamps, two rear reflectors indicating maximum width and one red lamp on each side indicating maximum overhang.
A load generally may not extend more than 4 ft beyond the vehicle's rear, except as permitted by other law. Listed exceptions and oversize permits require separate review.
The boundary wording matters
Texas uses two different operators: the daylight flag provision says “more than four feet,” but the nighttime equipment provision says “at least four feet.” Exactly 4 ft therefore reaches the nighttime equipment threshold but not the daylight rear-flag threshold.
A visibility marker does not by itself make a setup legal. Maximum projection, total length, securement and exceptions remain separate checks.
Exactly 4 ft and 4 ft 1 in lead to different Texas decisions
The general rear maximum in §621.206 and the flag wording in §547.382 use the vehicle rear. The covered nighttime equipment uses the rear of the bed or body. Measure each named origin independently; this table does not assume the two are interchangeable.
| Measured projection | Origin | Meaning under the covered provision |
|---|---|---|
| Exactly 4 ft | Vehicle rear | General rear maximum reached; rear daylight flag threshold is not crossed |
| 4 ft 1 in | Vehicle rear | Exceeds the general maximum unless another law permits it; flags alone do not authorize it |
| Exactly 4 ft | Bed/body rear at lighting times | Specified nighttime lamps and reflectors are triggered |
| 3 ft 11 in | Bed/body rear at lighting times | Covered rear-load lighting threshold is not triggered; other equipment duties remain |
Why the night result leaves the Texas maximum for manual review
Consider hypothetical geometry where the legally verified vehicle-rear point lies 6 in behind the bed/body rear. Cargo ending 4 ft 3 in behind the bed/body would extend 3 ft 9 in behind that vehicle-rear point. The lighting threshold is triggered, but that vehicle-rear measurement does not exceed 4 ft.
This example does not decide where an open tailgate or extender legally belongs. It shows why applying the maximum to a bed/body measurement can produce a wrong answer. The calculator's night entry is for the lighting origin, so it asks you to check the maximum separately from the vehicle rear.
Check the complete Texas nighttime equipment arrangement
When §547.382(a) applies, it calls for two red rear lamps visible at least 500 ft, two red rear reflectors indicating maximum width and visible 100–600 ft under lawful lower beams, and one red lamp on each side visible at least 500 ft and indicating maximum overhang.
Read §547.302 for the applicable lighting times, including the specified poor-visibility conditions. At other times, §547.382(b) also addresses loads projecting beyond the vehicle sides. A rear-distance-only result does not evaluate those side conditions.
- Record the separate vehicle-rear maximum measurement before relying on a night result.
- Match the lamp directions, reflector visibility and load extremities, not simply the color red.
- If the general rear maximum is exceeded, identify the applicable authorizing law or permit before proceeding. Do not assume an exception for an ordinary kayak or lumber trip.
Checks the calculator cannot finish for you
- Confirm the relevant rear reference point for the time of travel.
- Verify whether another statute, listed load exception or oversize permit applies.
- Confirm total length, width, securement, vehicle class and route restrictions.
STATE PRESELECTED
Measure the actual setup, then review the rule result.
The calculator keeps unsupported cargo length separate from the legal projection named by the state rule.
Open with Texas selected →Texas overhang questions
Can I go past 4 ft in Texas if I attach a red flag?
A flag does not waive §621.206's general rear maximum. A load beyond that maximum needs applicable authority under other law; the marker requirement is separate.
Why does the Texas calculator show manual review after dark?
The night input is measured from the bed or body for lighting, while the general maximum uses the vehicle rear. The tool does not have that second measurement and cannot determine the maximum from the lighting input.
Is one red lamp enough for the Texas projecting-load rule?
The covered nighttime provision specifies two rear lamps, two rear reflectors and a red lamp on each side, with visibility and placement details. One generic lamp does not establish that the whole arrangement complies.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Rule information was last checked on Sep 8, 2026. Official pages and current law control if this summary differs.
Texas DPS · Extended Loads (Transportation Code § 621.206) ↗Texas Transportation Code § 621.206 ↗Texas Transportation Code § 547.382 ↗Texas Transportation Code § 547.302 · lighting times ↗