Hauling heavy trailers?

[khissong]

Has anybody actually looked into what it takes to haul a heavy trailer(21,000 GVWR)? Have you had any problems with Commercial Vehical Enforcement? I've started looking into it medical card, log book, class 2 license, DOT number. Any guidence would be helpful.

[boltonite]

Check w/ one of the race shops - Dave at dww.motorsports.com, Will (or Kevin Foote, Kevin Holmes) at turnermotorsports.com, Andy or Nick at flatout-motorsports.com. They all have experience hauling big loads/race trailers and would know about the regulations, issues, etc. 21K is a lot of weight!
hth.
FF

[jakesrodshop]

kurt, in maine it should be no issue with reg license. My 44 ft trailer is 18k gvw, and I haul it with my 05 ford f350 crew cab truck, I needed to register truck for weight it would haul including truck weight, you can register the truck up to 23,500 in maine, if truck and trailer go over that (does not matter what gvw is) you need class A license. my truck and trailer is 61 ft long when measured. I weight about 20-21k with 2 cars,trailer and truck.
jake

[khissong]

kurt, in maine it should be no issue with reg license. My 44 ft trailer is 18k gvw, and I haul it with my 05 ford f350 crew cab truck, I needed to register truck for weight it would haul including truck weight, you can register the truck up to 23,500 in maine, if truck and trailer go over that (does not matter what gvw is) you need class A license. my truck and trailer is 61 ft long when measured. I weight about 20-21k with 2 cars,trailer and truck.
jake

Thanks Jake. I asked for a little info from our shop fleet manager yesterday so he gave a call to a contact at the DOT. Here's what he found
1. Truck and trailer must be registered for their combined GVWR not the actual weight loaded. Example: If the trailers GVWR is 21000 and the trucks GVWR is 9200 then 30200 is what the DOT is going by. Even if the actual weight is 24500 loaded.
2. If the trailer and truck combination weighs more than 10000 then a medical card is required to travel outside of state (Maine).
3. If the GVWR combination is more than 26000 then a class B license is required.
4. If over 26000 and driver has a class B Commercial Vehicle Enforcement(CVE) can ask to see a log book.

Jake, Do you stop for weigh stations? Have you ever been stopped when load? What did they ask for?

Thanks in advance,
Kurt

P.S. Missed ya at the banquit. It was a good time.

[jakesrodshop]

uh, no i do not stop at weigh stations, I travel down south 4-5 times a year, to ga,tn,nc,oh etc no problems. The biggest thing I see is if your are hauling for money or hauling for hobby, if for commerce they throw the book at you, as far as laws etc. if your trailering for hobby, then its pretty much easy street. Once commercial, like you mentioned you need medical card,fire ext, safety flares/cones, etc etc etc
jake
p.s yeah sorry I did not make it, i paid and everything, but had something come up saturday and by the time I was done it was 4 30 and I would of never made it in time. I really really wanted to make it.
Jake

[khissong]

Jake, Do you have any lettering on your truck or trailer?

[breakaway500]

"it was 4 30 and I would of never made it in time"

You would have if you took the Camaro...

[jakesrodshop]

mark,lmao yeah I actually thought about it, if it wasn't going to start snowing I may have,lol. you **** would have died to see me roll up in that.

kurt, No I have no lettering on my truck or trailer. On purpose.

[StephanAlfa]

Jake, Do you have any lettering on your truck or trailer?

I have little experience in that.. but the little I know is that if you are hauling personal stuff and not "in commerce" (namely carrying stuff under a commercial agreement for someone esle) you don't require lettering, DOT etc.
Just my 2 cts fwiw but better check and when you do state it's not "in commerce" transportation.

[jakesrodshop]

when not "in commerce" they don't hammer you on all the dot stuff. That said i try to keep fire ext, safety triangles and etc with me. but it is well worth the effort not to have my trailer all lettered up.
Jake

[raceshopper_com]

You should read this thread (all of it):
http://sccaforums.com/forums/1/248664/ShowThread.aspx

FYI: you can see the DOT rules and the application of them is somewhat vague and inconsistent.
I'd print out whatever, and keep it with you when towing - since it may avoid some difficulties.

Happy towing!
~ER.

[breakaway500]

^Informative link! I thought this was a good post from the scca forum: I printed a copy and put it in my glove box.



I just got the final word from the DOT and it is not required as long as you follow the rules listed below in Question 21 from the DOT website.



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.



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It was HIGHLY suggested that we carry a copy of this with us at all times. Also here is the number to DOT licensing 1-888-877-2181 Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm EST. that you can call if you get pulled over and have a problem.



" Not for Hire " decal's can't hurt but don't mean s___ if the guy is looking for a potential DOT violator.

Knowing the law is the only thing that will help you.

Just some equipement suggestions they had in case we get pulled over.

1. Have road flares / or some kind of safety reflectors

2. Have a spare tire for both truck and trailer

3. Have a method of making the repair.

4. Don't have any sponsor decal's on the rig or trailer

5. Make sure the breakaway cable is attached properly

6.Make sure all lighting is functional

7.Vehicle and or trailer cannot be registered to a business ( I see many guy's towing with commercially used trucks , dump trucks, landscaping trucks etc.)

and most important of all now.....................

8. Have a copy of DOT question 21 !!!!!! and be prepared to answer question 1 & 2 correctly.