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Re: Racers Who Tow with Motorhomes.. Read..
[Re: 440Jim]
#876281
12/12/10 01:22 AM
12/12/10 01:22 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,379
MD
Kevins493
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,379
MD
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Quote:
Quote:
It's simple, really...
They're going to force us back to towing an open car trailer with a pickup or van.   
That is all I have! LOL Budget racer here... 
See? we don't have to worry. Thus we are smarter! 
Actually I am considering stepping up to an enclosed for a few reasons, namely because the races are 3 hours away in some cases and I need to have all my spares with me.. and we sometimes have to tow in the rain for those 3 hours which kinda sucks because the car leaks a bit.
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Re: Racers Who Tow with Motorhomes.. Read..
[Re: Kevins493]
#876282
12/12/10 11:20 AM
12/12/10 11:20 AM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 674
Ripley
BryanRad
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 674
Ripley
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Regardless of how new or old the laws are they are difficult to find without doing numerous hours of research. I owned a 3/4 ton pickup and car trailer that were both licensed with the WVDMV here for well over 8 years before I found out that standard license plates did not make my truck legal when I had the trailer hooked to it. We actually have a B tag plate that you pay for based on the maximum amount you want your combo to be legal for. This probably had been on the "books" for a while but only was enforced when this hot shot business got big several years ago. You would think that someone at the DMV who looked at my info on the computer every time I went in there for 8 years in a row, would have said hey I see you have a trailer and pickup do you pull that trailer with that truck.
Another case in point is weight laws, the laws that are enforced on our Interstate network on commercial trucks are different in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia (at a minimum, I am sure there are several other differences). I understand the whole state's rights argument but how can anyone make a good point that states should be allowed to enforce different weight laws on the Interstate network which was built and maintained with almost exclusively federal dollars and is utilized for most "interstate" truck traffic. It would seem that it would just make sense that these "laws" be consistent.
Anyway, my point is unless you sit down and do extensive research on all the states you travel in, you are boned.
As far as what the guy pitted beside me chooses to bring to the track, I could care less.
I have 3 kids under 9 years old, I will probably bring a go cart to the track and I will probably have a motorhome too. Double stacker might be necessary in 7 or 8 years if the kids get into the racing as much as I am..... Didnt know there would be someone out there that actually resents someone for busting the hump and doing well for themselves.
I think you missed the point, noone is wanting to get off "cheap". The point is that states have CREATED laws which differ from state to state, it is not even remotely easy to find these laws, and the subsequent fine for your combo being 2' too long or the difference if you are hauling with an intent to make profit, etc. causes you to get a $1,000 + fine. You could probably be going 20 to 30 mph over the posted speed limit in these same states and get a 150 or 200 dollar fine. I think I know which scenario is endangering more people. Just another fine example of too many layers of government and elected officials focusing hours of effort on something only to make it more confusing and cumbersome.
Happy hauling and racing, if you're gonna go, go big.
Last edited by BryanRad; 12/12/10 11:30 AM.
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Re: Racers Who Tow with Motorhomes.. Read..
[Re: Blucuda413]
#876284
12/12/10 01:09 PM
12/12/10 01:09 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,226
Cookeville
Chilort
Will Work For Mopars
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Will Work For Mopars
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,226
Cookeville
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http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htmI'm with just a few others on this. If you drive something that big you need additional training and certification. If you have to get a special endorsement (and often additional training) to drive something smaller (motorcycle) that is similar to what most of us have been riding since we were children (bicycle, dirt bike) then you most certainly need that training for something much larger than what most people drive all day. Many state laws also apply to you the nanosecond you cross the border and you are responsible for knowing (conceal and carry law, helmet law, etc.). Ignorance does not preclude guilt. Maybe it is because I live in Atlanta (with one of the worst state driver education programs in the country) but I see someone do something amazingly stupid every day. And now that so many big rigs are captained by someone who can't read or write and can barely speak the English language things have gotten much worse in terms of how 4-wheelers try to interact with them on the highways. My  the laws aren't strict enough. I mean, how did your buddy blow out two tires at the same time ? (curb). Is it possible that a little more training, education, or possibly patience would have helped that?
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Re: Racers Who Tow with Motorhomes.. Read..
[Re: Chilort]
#876285
12/12/10 01:42 PM
12/12/10 01:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,541
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart
Rhinotruck
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Rhinotruck
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,541
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
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Quote:
http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm
I'm with just a few others on this. If you drive something that big you need additional training and certification.
If you have to get a special endorsement (and often additional training) to drive something smaller (motorcycle) that is similar to what most of us have been riding since we were children (bicycle, dirt bike) then you most certainly need that training for something much larger than what most people drive all day. Many state laws also apply to you the nanosecond you cross the border and you are responsible for knowing (conceal and carry law, helmet law, etc.). Ignorance does not preclude guilt.
Maybe it is because I live in Atlanta (with one of the worst state driver education programs in the country) but I see someone do something amazingly stupid every day. And now that so many big rigs are captained by someone who can't read or write and can barely speak the English language things have gotten much worse in terms of how 4-wheelers try to interact with them on the highways.
My the laws aren't strict enough.
I mean, how did your buddy blow out two tires at the same time ? (curb). Is it possible that a little more training, education, or possibly patience would have helped that?
What really needs to happen is greater training for the 4-wheelers instead of more restrictive laws. I cannot understand why each State just gives away licenses to anyone who can walk!  I was at the DMV this year to finally get my CDL and there was an old guy who could not see well enough to renew his license. As I was sitting there, the clerk kept asking him to go up the chart until he could actually see the letters and numbers, then he passed!  As far as blowing out two tires, it happened to me on I-10 90 miles from El Paso. One tire came apart and took the next one with it, happens all the time.  There is so much junk and potholes on the roads nowaday due to States NOT having the money to fix/clean-up the roadways it is only going to get worse...
The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.
JB Rhinehart, Realist
A-Body's RULE!
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Re: Racers Who Tow with Motorhomes.. Read..
[Re: BryanRad]
#876287
12/12/10 05:37 PM
12/12/10 05:37 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,177
ill
dennismopar73
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,177
ill
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not really trying to bust anyones chops out here but it just to funny that some out go from 'just a pickup pulling open trailer' to something bigger than ocean liner queen capt, stacker and say to his-self same laws apply i should be esemtp form lenght, weight, size license weights have been in style since before 1965, and as for diff states if you are legal in youre state on lenght , height, plates and license grades you will not have problems other states but if youre running it as a buisness then you have to know the laws and what it takes to be legal stickers lenght breath , weight and what roads to be on and not be on ignorance is not an excuse to make , you build youre race cars knowing exactly what rules to follow but yet you could care less about saftey of getting you ,youre family,, and other families that travel the same roads as you by the way i was a cop for over 10 years worked in saftey dept for a large trucking co, for another 5 years ,, saftey is the basic factor in all these issues the fines are because people want to get by the cheapest way out then blame the state ,, police, because they get caught doing what they know was wrong to begin with if i make you mad im sorry but thats the truth 
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Re: Racers Who Tow with Motorhomes.. Read..
[Re: dennismopar73]
#876288
12/12/10 05:42 PM
12/12/10 05:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,363
Las Vegas
Al_Alguire
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,363
Las Vegas
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Just wanted to throw this point out there too..Sonce there is plenty of points being made about how these laws are from the Feds..
Try convincing the IRS that your racing is a business. See how far that gets you in an audit. For the most part 99% of racers will claim ANY income earned as normal income on there 1040, filing as a business. Just more of the inconsistency that exists.
Oh yeah FWIW in Cali if you want to drive a motorhome and trailer you will need a NON COMMERCIAL class B license. IF you are stopped by a trooper here and do not have a license from what ever state that meets this states requirement you will be ticketed. Kinda stupid but that is how it is. I am sure most states are similar.
"I am not ashamed to confess I am ignorant of what I do not know."
"It's never wrong to do the right thing"
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Re: Racers Who Tow with Motorhomes.. Read..
[Re: jnkgal]
#876290
12/12/10 07:07 PM
12/12/10 07:07 PM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 674
Ripley
BryanRad
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 674
Ripley
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Regardless of what I have had or what I may to plan or look forward to having in the future, once again you totally missed the point again. And FYI, I have earned everything I have had and will have (the good old american/non socialist way).
Again, I have no issue with safety whatsoever. I do have an issue with governmental agencies having the ability to create and enforce different laws on an INTERSTATE highway network. With your enforcement and safety background, I would hope you would agree that a guy with a motorhome and trailer that is 1 or 2' over length in a state and isnt aware is not near of a safety risk to the travelling public as a guy doing 20+ mph over the speed limit. The fines in some states absolutely do not reflect this.
I think you need to go back and reread what I wrote, in no way shape or form did what I wrote say a guy with a 1/2 ton pickup and open trailer should have the same regulations as a 40' motorhome pulling a double stacker. If you read my second post on the subject, I actually agreed with another member that stated there should be some sort of training, additional licensure requirements for someone drving such a vehicle.
Again, in case you missed it the second or third time. My point is that these laws should be more consistent from state to state and easier to keep track of and conform to.
Oh by the way, I am not mad. Takes a lot more that a post on a web board about something so trivial to get me mad.
Last edited by BryanRad; 12/12/10 09:52 PM.
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Re: Racers Who Tow with Motorhomes.. Read..
[Re: Eric]
#876294
12/12/10 08:12 PM
12/12/10 08:12 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,667
Arizona
Chris'sBarracuda
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,667
Arizona
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Quote:
No offense guys but at the length of some of these rigs a CDL probably would'nt be a bad idea...  ....Whats a standard big rig...53' plus the tractor?....I'm sure most are able to handle what they tow...but there are exceptions... 
I agree.. I wasn't posting this because I thought that people should be able to drive rigs like that without endorsements. 
I think you should have some training in this area. I was merely telling you guys out there that they are ticketing Motorhomes now, among other things. They aren't just letting you slide anymore. 
My friend who got the ticket.. We have been telling him for years to get a CDL and be done with it, but he never got one, so now he's being forced to.
Chris.. 
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Re: Racers Who Tow with Motorhomes.. Read..
[Re: Rhinodart]
#876296
12/12/10 09:08 PM
12/12/10 09:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,363
Las Vegas
Al_Alguire
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,363
Las Vegas
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Many states you dont have an option, it is a CDL or else. Keep in mind a CDL has plenty of requirements to obtain, physicals etc. In states with no motorhome provision how does one go about taking a skills test without a qualifying vehicle, in many states a motorhome will not qualify. How does one go about btaining one? Rent a truck, without a license  I have been on both sides of this issue, while I agree something has to be done there needs to be some sort continuity. That was my point. One federal agency says you are not a business another says you are, then get the states involoved, Nevada says if you race for money you ARE a business, no matter how big your rig(yes a pickup and open trailer count)you technically need the fuel and use permits. CA says your not. As pointed out it is a money grab as much as anything else. Not worth fighting, it cost to much, they know that as well. So the question is what the heck is a guy to do.
"I am not ashamed to confess I am ignorant of what I do not know."
"It's never wrong to do the right thing"
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Re: Racers Who Tow with Motorhomes.. Read..
[Re: Chris'sBarracuda]
#876298
12/12/10 10:34 PM
12/12/10 10:34 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,363
Las Vegas
Al_Alguire
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,363
Las Vegas
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Well all i can tell you is IF you are towing through Nevada and you are towing a racecar they consider you a business. Thus the permits are needed.
"I am not ashamed to confess I am ignorant of what I do not know."
"It's never wrong to do the right thing"
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Re: Racers Who Tow with Motorhomes.. Read..
[Re: Chris'sBarracuda]
#876299
12/12/10 10:37 PM
12/12/10 10:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,699
Newport, Mi
Evil Spirit
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,699
Newport, Mi
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A few observations.
Lettering "Not For Hire" on the motorhome, tractor, etc. and keeping all the racing decals and company logos on the trailer goes a long way to not getting pulled over as a commercial vehicle. Also, a vehicle plainly marked "Not For Hire" should be given a break on the registration fees, since they are not being used to generate income. Whether or not you actually make money racing is an IRS issue, not the DMV's.
As to common laws - does anybody really think a 90' rig that would be fine out West belongs in the mountains of West Virginia? Individual state roads and geography dictate safe lengths of vehicles.
Lobby state Department of Motor Vehicles to release a 50 state guide on what the laws are - the better people are informed, the safer it is for ALL drivers.
I don't have a problem with motorhomes, carhaulers, etc. needing the same inspections and driver CDL's as any similar sized rig - all 70', 40,000lb vehicles should have the same safety and drivers requirements, no matter what they carry. They should least have yearly inspections and updated license requirements.
Free advice and worth every penny...
Factory trained Slinky rewinder.........
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Re: Racers Who Tow with Motorhomes.. Read..
[Re: Al_Alguire]
#876300
12/12/10 10:38 PM
12/12/10 10:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,394
Quicktree
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,394
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Quote:
Well all i can tell you is IF you are towing through Nevada and you are towing a racecar they consider you a business. Thus the permits are needed.
what if you are not going to a race? don't see how they can consider you doing anything if they don't have proof?
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