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State DOT chasing small trailers now.
#15555
06/14/05 01:02 PM
06/14/05 01:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,227
Bloomington, IN
HoosierTA
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,227
Bloomington, IN
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I just learned that the guys who are assigned to make sure semi trucks are safe, have been tasked with checking small trailers, including car trailers. Seems with the boom of lawn care businesses, there is a problem with people not securing their ZTR's while going from job to job.
I was told there had been a few fly off the trailers, so now DOT is really cracking down. I'm afraid to pull my car on a trailer now, for concern about spot inspections.
'70 Challenger R/T 383
'16 Hemi Durango SSV (work vehicle)
'15 Ram Police SSV
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Re: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: HoosierTA]
#15556
06/14/05 01:03 PM
06/14/05 01:03 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,666
On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
amxautox
Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
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Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,666
On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
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If it's tied down properly then there would be no worries.
I loaned a guy one of my tiedowns when his car slid off the back of his trailer. He was using a small old chain and it broke, car was in neutral. He mailed it back to me later. He was going to the road race and I was going to the autocross. Didn't know him. Saw him on the side of the road with the car half off the trailer and stopped to help him.
Tom
"Everyone should believe in something; I believe I'll go fishing."
-Henry David Thoreau
Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths
author unknown
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Re: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: EV2DEMON]
#15560
06/14/05 01:22 PM
06/14/05 01:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,498
Minnesota
Hemi_Joel
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,498
Minnesota
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They are tring to force anyone with a truck an trailer at 10,000 combined gross weight to comply with all the regulations that over the road truckers have to follow. There is a whole giant book full of rules, it is CFR49. Do a google search on cfr49 to see it. If you have your vehicles tagged in a company name, if you have company or sponsor names on the truck or trailer, if you admit that you can win any money at the show/race that you are going to, they call it "commerce" and nail you. 
[img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img]31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum RS23J71 RS27J77 RP23J71 RO23J71 WM21J8A I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do. "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
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Re: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: Hemi_Joel]
#15561
06/14/05 01:35 PM
06/14/05 01:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,629
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart
Rhinotruck
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Rhinotruck
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,629
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
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Quote:
They are tring to force anyone with a truck an trailer at 10,000 combined gross weight to comply with all the regulations that over the road truckers have to follow. There is a whole giant book full of rules, it is CFR49. Do a google search on cfr49 to see it.
If you have your vehicles tagged in a company name, if you have company or sponsor names on the truck or trailer, if you admit that you can win any money at the show/race that you are going to, they call it "commerce" and nail you.
I weighed my trailer with my 69 D200 in it and it was 11,140 lbs! How does Indiana handle plates. In Illinois each level of trailer plate has a limit, then you have to buy the next size plate. The truck plate also has a limit and works the same way. Do they do that in Indiana or do they have plates like in Pennsylvania that correlate to the combined weight of truck and trailer that goes on the truck? I have seen people who paid hefty fines in PA for not following THEIR rules! 
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: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: HoosierTA]
#15562
06/14/05 03:06 PM
06/14/05 03:06 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 986
Indiana
MFR440
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 986
Indiana
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I believe that if a DOT officer wants to nail you, he will. But it helps to be "armed" with the law. If you know the law, you should be able to talk your way out of the situation. OR, you can buy a trailer with living quarters in Indiana and have it plated as an RV!!!  Here is an INVALUABLE link to the Federal DOT regulations. I suggest that anyone who pulls a car trailer should keep a copy of this in your rig. Here is a quote that is particularly germain to our situation: "Question 21: Does the exemption in 390.3(f)(3) for the "occasional transportation of personal property by individuals not for compensation nor in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise" apply to persons who occasionally use CMVs to transport cars, boats, horses, etc., to races, tournaments, shows or similar events, even if prize money is offered at these events? Guidance: The exemption would apply to this kind of transportation, provided: (1) The underlying activities are not undertaken for profit, i.e., (a) prize money is declared as ordinary income for tax purposes, and (b) the cost of the underlying activities is not deducted as a business expense for tax purposes; and, where relevant; (2) corporate sponsorship is not involved. Drivers must confer with their State of licensure to determine the licensing provisions to which they are subject." I have only once won enough money to claim as income, and I wrote off the same amount as expenses;, but the key is that I did not write off any more than I won, therefore the exemption applies. If you explain this type of thing to the officer, I'd be willing to bet that he would let you go. Disclaimer: This is in no way to be considered as legal advice. The text quoted is available in the public domain on the following internet site: FMCSA Question Page
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Re: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: Scat_Pack]
#15564
06/14/05 04:05 PM
06/14/05 04:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,120
City of Champions
Prostock
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,120
City of Champions
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Quote:
My uncle and I recently recieved 12 citations in iowa with a 1 ton dually and a small tandem axle trailer. They ranged from not having a fire extinguisher in the truck to not having a breakaway switch on the trailer and no trailer brakes, seems almost all the tandem axle trailers made not have no brakes on either axle and they are required in most states, now this was not a car trailer just a small light duty tandem axle trailer. They also wrote us up for no DOT tape on the trailer, no physical card also, they are considering them "hot shot" rigs now. 
The common one is the break away switch. Mandatory on all trailers over 3000gvw, no matter when it was made.
Quote:
Do they do that in Indiana or do they have plates like in Pennsylvania that correlate to the combined weight of truck and trailer that goes on the truck? I have seen people who paid hefty fines in PA for not following THEIR rules!
PA also required brakes on BOTH axles.
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Re: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: Scat_Pack]
#15565
06/14/05 06:00 PM
06/14/05 06:00 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,666
On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
amxautox
Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
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Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,666
On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
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what's a 'dot tape'?
what's a 'physical card'?
what's a 'hot shot rig'?
My trailer has everything but those and I've never heard of any of those 3.
My car trailer was built by a commercial trailer building place. Brakes on both axles and a breakaway. 7,000 rated.
Tom
"Everyone should believe in something; I believe I'll go fishing."
-Henry David Thoreau
Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths
author unknown
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Re: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: amxautox]
#15566
06/14/05 06:39 PM
06/14/05 06:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,523
Branson, Southwest MO
Scat_Pack
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,523
Branson, Southwest MO
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Quote:
what's a 'dot tape'? It is the red and white reflective tape you see on big trucks.
what's a 'physical card'? It is like a health card, like if your blood pressure is too high they will not pass you to drive what they are considering a commercial vehicle, I dont really know how they are getting away with this one but they are doing it.
what's a 'hot shot rig'? Hot Shot rigs are usually like the one ton trucks you see pulling say a 48' or a 53' flat bed trailer, owners of these trucks started out doing this to get around the DOT rules, like log books and such, plus you could get into one of these alot cheaper.
My trailer has everything but those and I've never heard of any of those 3.
My car trailer was built by a commercial trailer building place. Brakes on both axles and a breakaway. 7,000 rated.
1941 ford coupe Chopped 6"
1966 VW Chopped 6"
1966 plymouth Belvedere II special order 999 paint code Petty Blue
1964 Dodge dart GT convertible
1971 340 Cuda
3 1969 Superbee's
"Anyone can restore a car, it takes a real man to cut one up!"
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Re: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: Scat_Pack]
#15568
06/14/05 11:39 PM
06/14/05 11:39 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 986
Indiana
MFR440
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 986
Indiana
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Quote:
My uncle and I recently recieved 12 citations in iowa with a 1 ton dually and a small tandem axle trailer. They ranged from not having a fire extinguisher in the truck to not having a breakaway switch on the trailer and no trailer brakes, seems almost all the tandem axle trailers made not have no brakes on either axle and they are required in most states, now this was not a car trailer just a small light duty tandem axle trailer. They also wrote us up for no DOT tape on the trailer, no physical card also, they are considering them "hot shot" rigs now.
What were you carrying? Did you fight the charges? PM me for a link to another racing board with a very similar situation. It might help your cause.
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Re: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: MFR440]
#15569
06/15/05 12:08 AM
06/15/05 12:08 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,523
Branson, Southwest MO
Scat_Pack
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,523
Branson, Southwest MO
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We were empty. and have already payed the fines. It totaled about $750. We did not fight it, but should have.
1941 ford coupe Chopped 6"
1966 VW Chopped 6"
1966 plymouth Belvedere II special order 999 paint code Petty Blue
1964 Dodge dart GT convertible
1971 340 Cuda
3 1969 Superbee's
"Anyone can restore a car, it takes a real man to cut one up!"
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Re: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: AeroMonte]
#15571
06/15/05 09:36 AM
06/15/05 09:36 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,629
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart
Rhinotruck
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Rhinotruck
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,629
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
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A breakaway switch is a seperate battery operated switching mechanism that is on the trailer and activates the electric brakes in case the hitch seperates from the tow vehicle. You attach a wire from the switch to your hitch everytime you hook-up. The tape needs to be placed on the bottom sides of the trailer on all four sides I believe. You must have (4) brakes, two on each axle!  I has 7 citations once, missing plate, no breakaway, no tape, overloaded, load not balanced, no inspection sticker, and wrong weight of trailer plates. Basically they were "fix-it" tickets. When I went to court I proved that I had fixed all the problems, and only got one fine ($75) for being overloaded. The cop was a real a$$ and made me follow him to a scales. He was PO'd when the judge let me off with just a single fine! 
Last edited by Rhinodart; 06/15/05 09:39 AM.
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: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: HoosierTA]
#15572
06/15/05 09:48 AM
06/15/05 09:48 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494
Western Colorado High Desert
moparmarks
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494
Western Colorado High Desert
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Iowa is really cracking down on pick-ups and campers with trailers. All pick-ups with trailer must go through the port of entry.
I got hit in Texas while towing two cars and spent an hour in his cruser getting schooled. Nation wide, the weight limit is 24100#. I weighted 20080#. But if you cross state lines for business, the limit falls to 10100#. I made the mistake of letting the officer know that I do Mopars for a living and the book came out. He said that I didn't have to have a CDL but had to meet the requirements of one. He checked truck weight limits, trailer weight limits, tire weight limits, all lights, lug nuts, break away brakes, fire extinguisher, roadside markers. All which I passed. Got hit for not having my truck DOT inspeced and not running a truckers log. 280.00 bucks. Got a warning for not having a medical card, no US DOT number, no license plate lamp on the trailer. Seems if your in state, you should be ok but it's when you have out of state tags that they'll hit you the most.
72 Satellite Sebring Plus 440, 72 Dart 5.9 4-spd, 68 Valiant, 73 W200, 78 D100 sb, 78 D200, 98 DAKOTA, . Moparmarks Parts & Restorations Desert Mopar Metal Grand Jct. CO 970-261-7039 http://moparmark.com/motormangj@gmail.com
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Re: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: Rhinodart]
#15575
06/15/05 11:33 AM
06/15/05 11:33 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494
Western Colorado High Desert
moparmarks
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494
Western Colorado High Desert
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Quote:
On the way out to Cali from Illinois this spring I didn't stop at the ports in Iowa, but on the way back I sure did because of the storied I heard while out west!
All now it's not that bad out here. Iowa is not a western state. I think it's the out of state plates thing. A buddy of mine from Missouri was pulling 2 cars though CO and got pulled over cus of his out of state plates as was my case in Texas. The Texas state trooper told me that he would not have pulled me over if I had Texas plates. Maybe the way around that is to be like James Bond and have revoling plates.
Yes the port of entry is the scales that the truckers have to go though.
Last edited by moparmarks; 06/15/05 11:41 AM.
72 Satellite Sebring Plus 440, 72 Dart 5.9 4-spd, 68 Valiant, 73 W200, 78 D100 sb, 78 D200, 98 DAKOTA, . Moparmarks Parts & Restorations Desert Mopar Metal Grand Jct. CO 970-261-7039 http://moparmark.com/motormangj@gmail.com
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Re: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: Rocpar]
#15577
06/15/05 05:18 PM
06/15/05 05:18 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494
Western Colorado High Desert
moparmarks
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494
Western Colorado High Desert
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My trailers have running light all around so I don't think reflective tape is needed. All axles need brakes. States will post if trucks with trailers have a diff speed limit such as in IL. where they can only go 55. Out here semi's can go 75 and 80 the same as cars. In Iowa, it's posted at ports of entry that pick-ups with trailer must go through the port. Only state that I know of this. I've been through all the western and midwestern states and have not had a problem except in Texas that one time. In those states, a trooper will pull you over if he feels the need. Sounds like your on the right track and shouldn'd have any problems even if pulled over. Just don't be over weight or they can hold you till you can somehow lose the extra weight. I'm fixing to travel 2000 miles each way to Carlisle and just go back from a 3800 mile trip to Indy and Ohio. Didn't have any problems on that one.
Last edited by moparmarks; 06/15/05 05:22 PM.
72 Satellite Sebring Plus 440, 72 Dart 5.9 4-spd, 68 Valiant, 73 W200, 78 D100 sb, 78 D200, 98 DAKOTA, . Moparmarks Parts & Restorations Desert Mopar Metal Grand Jct. CO 970-261-7039 http://moparmark.com/motormangj@gmail.com
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Re: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: 05dakota]
#15579
06/15/05 05:56 PM
06/15/05 05:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,629
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart
Rhinotruck
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Rhinotruck
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,629
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
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You bet they do. You can buy license plate covers here in Illinois but if you use one you will get a ticket! You can also put anything you want dangling from your review mirror, but they can use that to stop you and check the rest of your vehicle because the law state you are ubstructing your vision! Just because things are legal in some states doesn't make it legal in others. Pennsylvania is the toughest state AFAIK about trailer towing, so be careful, Tony!  BTW, I have been towing through there for the last 9 years going to Carlisle with nary a problem, now where is the wood to knock on..... 
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: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: Rhinodart]
#15580
06/15/05 07:00 PM
06/15/05 07:00 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494
Western Colorado High Desert
moparmarks
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494
Western Colorado High Desert
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Quote:
You bet they do. You can buy license plate covers here in Illinois but if you use one you will get a ticket! You can also put anything you want dangling from your review mirror, but they can use that to stop you and check the rest of your vehicle because the law state you are ubstructing your vision! Just because things are legal in some states doesn't make it legal in others. Pennsylvania is the toughest state AFAIK about trailer towing, so be careful, Tony! BTW, I have been towing through there for the last 9 years going to Carlisle with nary a problem, now where is the wood to knock on.....
Really, Pennsylvania? Good to know. Do we have to go through the port or do they just pull you over?
72 Satellite Sebring Plus 440, 72 Dart 5.9 4-spd, 68 Valiant, 73 W200, 78 D100 sb, 78 D200, 98 DAKOTA, . Moparmarks Parts & Restorations Desert Mopar Metal Grand Jct. CO 970-261-7039 http://moparmark.com/motormangj@gmail.com
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Re: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: moparmarks]
#15581
06/15/05 09:05 PM
06/15/05 09:05 PM
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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We run past all of the scales. You get in the left lane in amongst other cars and keep going.  Stopping is only looking for trouble. We're legal except for the log book. But like what was said previously, if they want to cite you they'll find something. Just on the trip from Sioux City Iowa to Las Vegas, I must have blown past 8 open Ports Of Entry in Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada.
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Re: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
#15583
06/15/05 09:23 PM
06/15/05 09:23 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494
Western Colorado High Desert
moparmarks
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494
Western Colorado High Desert
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Quote:
We run past all of the scales. You get in the left lane in amongst other cars and keep going. Stopping is only looking for trouble. We're legal except for the log book. But like what was said previously, if they want to cite you they'll find something. Just on the trip from Sioux City Iowa to Las Vegas, I must have blown past 8 open Ports Of Entry in Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada.
Agreed. I blow past the ports in Iowa also. Your not required to stop in those other states.
72 Satellite Sebring Plus 440, 72 Dart 5.9 4-spd, 68 Valiant, 73 W200, 78 D100 sb, 78 D200, 98 DAKOTA, . Moparmarks Parts & Restorations Desert Mopar Metal Grand Jct. CO 970-261-7039 http://moparmark.com/motormangj@gmail.com
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Re: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: moparmarks]
#15584
06/15/05 09:32 PM
06/15/05 09:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,887
USA
CrAlt
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,887
USA
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I wonder what PA says about U-haul car trailers...I know the last time I was in PA I was WAAAAAAYYY over the rating of my little D150 with one of their trailers. Had a RR on the thing loaded with car parts and a 383 in the trunk..and a 440/727 in the bed of the truck. Log book? For what? I could have made the book up in 2 seconds.. Got gas Left CT Got to PA Got Gas Left PA My book would have 5 lines in it for the round trip.
I was asked to contribute money to help solve the civil unrest in Egypt, but I suspect it's some sort of pyramid scheme.
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Re: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: CrAlt]
#15586
06/15/05 10:56 PM
06/15/05 10:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,120
City of Champions
Prostock
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,120
City of Champions
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Quote:
I wonder what PA says about U-haul car trailers...I know the last time I was in PA I was WAAAAAAYYY over the rating of my little D150 with one of their trailers. Had a RR on the thing loaded with car parts and a 383 in the trunk..and a 440/727 in the bed of the truck.
Log book? For what? I could have made the book up in 2 seconds..
Got gas
Left CT
Got to PA
Got Gas
Left PA
My book would have 5 lines in it for the round trip.
If they would have take you to the scales, or used the portable ones they carry, you'd be impounded.
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Re: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: fastmark]
#15587
06/15/05 10:57 PM
06/15/05 10:57 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 910
North East Texas
TexasPowerRam
super gas
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super gas
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 910
North East Texas
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Fastmark just so you can get your facts straight, all that revenue goes to the county in which you are ticketed (i.e. you pay the justice of the peace) All of DPS funding comes from our budget set by the legislature (which you voted for, or could have) More tickets written do not mean more money for the state.
John
2008 Ford F250 XLT 4x4 Crew Cab
1990 Ford Crown Victoria LTD, Ex TXDPS
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Re: State DOT chasing small trailers now.
[Re: moparmarks]
#15588
06/15/05 10:58 PM
06/15/05 10:58 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,427
S.E. Missouri
AeroMonte
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,427
S.E. Missouri
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Quote:
I made the mistake of letting the officer know that I do Mopars for a living and the book came out.
Sounds like it would be easier to tell them that you just bought the car or your taking it to a relative in whatever state your going to. That would make you exempt if I'm understanding all this.
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