Got pulled over at a weigh station by Pa.DOT.They are enforcing the combination weight licence requirments.They said that's it's be in the news papers and on the radio for the last 4 days,(never heard of it)If your combination weight exceeds the gross weight of your truck(regestered)then you must retitle and register your tow vehicle for your combination gross weight.If your gross weight exceeds 26,000 lbs then you also meed a CDL licence,if your trailer exceeds 10,000 lbs,you need a CDL licence.At any rate 90% of the truck/trailer combos are illegal and they will be enforcing the regulations.I got off easy,$1100 fine,I have a CDL,now I have to re-register my truck for the combo weight.They were nailing,horse trailers,open trailers,and box trailers.The state wants the extra revenue,now we must stop at all weigh stations,there is no more recreation/private use status unless your plated recreational or motorhome.Be aware.

WOW! That's hot news! Thanks for the heads up.

Steve

It's getting bad out there. Florida has a special rule too. We have never been pulled over, but I know others from out of state who have and they said they will never race in Florida again as a result.

I tried to tell alot in here in the past on a thread about this.. ....its going to get worse.. i have a trucking Co. and know most of the DOT laws in Florida and they change alot to.. but it fell on death ears I think... maybe they will listen to you Bob...

Jimmy (blown572dart) and me had convo. on the phone on this friday

The very pleasent DOT officer said this follows the federal transportation act guidelines. and if yor rig falls in the CDL requirements you must keep a log book.I will keep everyone informed as I go through the process and pending hearing and get more info.

So would a MH w/ an enclosed trailer get by?

I,am sure the motorhome will,the trailer might be another issue.Heck,I've been passibg the scales in most all states and usually if I get flagged in they just wave me through.Ever since a family was wipe out here in Pa. they have cracked down on all towed rigs.A drug head tree cutting guy didn't hook up his chipper properly,(no safty chains,lock pin,or breakaway)It came off hitting a van killing the entire family except one young twin.

Guys, I really don't have a lot of sympathy for you. This topic has been hammered numerous times here on moparts. And the usual response was "it doesn't effect me, why should i care?" Well it does effect you, and the way you protect YOUR rights is by protecting the other guys rights first. Well did anybody now complaining speak up for the other guy? No I didn't think so.

These basic laws have been around for years. They constantly increase enforcement as they slowly tighten the noose. Just because you get away with something, doesn't mean that it will be the case for long. You are dreaming. IMO it is possible with a very strick interpretation of the existing laws to make almost every single truck on the road today illegal. What kind of legal system is that?

Back to specifics, there is one area IMO that should be the line in the sand on this whole matter. Please pay attention. You as a us citizen has certain rights. They are very difficult to mess with as much as those in charge try. However a business, which is anything commercial has zero constituitional rights. Therefore if the government can get something classified as "commercial", any laws can be passed and then enforced with no rights to worry about. "Commercial" is usually defined as any endeavor to attempt to recieve financial gain. Those that fit this category, join the rest of us in business and bend over, it is not going to end. The rest of you guys, weekend racers and hobbyists, raise stinking bloody murder, and just don't think becuase your state ie currently lenient, its not coming, and its a lot easier to start stopping it now.

You guys have no idea what you are in for.


PS Any commercial trailer over 10,000lbs requires at least a driver with a Class "A" CDL, random drug tested, yearly medical exam ( no BP over 140/90) and if hauling ANY hazard materials ( race fuel), every 2? years a criminal background check, and a curent up to date/hr 8 day log book if you are 100+ miles from home base for starts

No, all my business trucks are "not for hire", just means you won't rent/lease them, but they are all for commercial use by me.

Getting away/under from the 10,000lb trailer is a huge benefit, as is getting under 26,000 combined gross weight ( trailer and truck loaded). Also keep in mind simpley hauling your personal items to a swap meet, whether you actually sell anything or not, is defined as commercial use, ie you were planning on reciving finacial gain. The usual solution to many of these laws is to simpley lie. Which I personally do not condone.

Well, you are now considerd illegal, join the crowd , be sure to keep that trailer under 9900 though. You will need to reregister, that will effect your truck insurance, might effect zoning laws if you take truck/trailer home, it never ends.
Reg US DOT guidelines, the pattern I believe is that many states adopt them, but it is not mandatory, and the reason is someone from another state enters PA and gets busted and says how is he supposed to know the laws of PA ( guess he never heard ignorance is not defense line), so we are rapidly in the US approaching a single state status anyway, with a national ID/DL card not for behind because of all the warnings from homeland security to keep the bad guys out

The big problem that has exist in Pa is that many of the enforcement people don't clearly understand the transportation laws for both inter and intra state as well as the agriculture exemptions,construction( Pa.tow behind act of 1981,and so forth)It has been up to the discretion of the enforcement offices at the time of incident.Now because of the public outcry for legislation(gov't to save us from our selves)do we find the noose tightening and states following the Federal guidlines.We are also in the constuction industry and was in to farming and can only say that the state regulations differ from the Federal regs,but when it comes down to legal interpitation the Federal takes president.

Yep, little by little, state by state, SC, PA, FL...if you think that's bad wait until CA starts pounding on this deal. Not only will all of the Fed Commercial Vehicle regs be required, and a CHP BIT inspection every 90 days, you should see what CA is requring for CARB (The clean air kunckleheads) are requiring in the next few years for commerical trucks. Side skirts, Airfoils, single wide tires, diesel engine complaince/retro fit...

...no idea what you're in for is right.