Interstate Towing

[JoeBioDiesel]

I am helping a buddy move from NY to Georgia. I've got a new 26' enclosed trailer I will be pulling, loaded with furniture etc. He's also got a BMW Izetta (2 stroke, 2 passenger car) that weighs about 500 lbs. We moved the car once by putting it in the back of a 1/2 ton truck, driving from Montana-NY without any troubles. We are planning to put the car in the back of my Dodge and pull the trailer as well. I searched this forum for hints on Interstate towing laws, hoping I wouldn't find a reason to not make the trip. The more I read, the scarier it looks. It seems some police and DOT guys prey on trucks with big trailers. I really don't need a big fine when I'm doing someone a favor.



So, I've got a few questions.



What potential trouble is there with pulling a 26' trailer, probably lighter than 10,000 lbs down the East Coast with a 2500?



Are there states to avoid?



Do I have to stop in the DOT truck check stations, or are they just for commercial trucks?



Am I looking for trouble putting 500 lbs in the bed and then adding a trailer of that size?



That BMW attracts quite a bit of attention, so flying below the radar screen is unlikely. I'd rather be safe and legal.



JoeBiodiesel

 

[matches]

Don't worry about the weight, that won't be the problem, as far as I know the weigh stations are for commercial only, if you get stopped just act dumb and pay the fee right there. You can always look up each states dot laws online just to make sure.

 

[MMiller]

I've been towing my gooseneck all over Iowa, Illinios, Minnesota, Missouri, and I never stop at the scales. I am always hauling my "toys" though too. If I were hauling hay, or backhoes then I would be in trouble.



Like above drive by the scales, if they want to talk to you they will let you know. If you stop then the possiblilty exists that they will be mad that you did that too. My dad has driven semi in the lower 48 and no matter what you do, somehow they will be mad.



You will be fine, have a safe trip, no excess speed and you will be "under the radar"



No worries



Michael

 

[klenger]

Most important thing is to make sure that (as far as the cops are concerned) you are hauling for private use and not being paid. If you are being paid, then you are commercial and need (to the best of my limited knowledge) a CDL, log book, insurance, etc.

 

[Eric_77]

As long as the trailer is owned by an individual and you are not doing it for hire (you can do a friend a favor and he pays fuel or whatever as long as it is not a business you are doing it for, no reason to mention it though ). DOT laws only come into play when you are over 10,000 pounds GCVW and are in the the furtherance of commerce. Some weigh stations say to pull in for all vehicles pulling trailers, all vehicles over X weight, rental vehicles, or there could be a weigh in motion scale and they pull vehicles in based on what they think may be an issue with a flashing sign, but if it only says "commerical vehicles must exit" or some variant of same based on your situation keep rolling down the road.

 

[moparguy]

I've read several times that some officers in the Carolinas are a bit nuts when it comes to towing and how they read the DOT regs.



Some of our horse camping, trailriding friends have said they would never go back due to problems with roadside safety checks and tickets.



Good luck, RJR

 

[PaulG]

First off drive the speed limit and you should be fine. i drive my buddies 30' enclosed car trailer with a vette and two motorcycles in the back with it and 1 bike in the bed of the truck up and down the ast coast when it's race season. i never had a problem and passed many of cops on the road side and have been passed also. just stay in slow lane follow posted speed limits and no worries. everyone has a horra story for you but they never tell you why they got pulled over in the first place

 

[BBarry]

I've towed plenty of times between mass. and florida and never had a problem. I came back from florida with a 43' boat trailer and didn't have any problems. Also know some people who haul boats commercially along I95 and never have any problems.

 

[Kennywould]

Towed that way many times to Florida, just make sure everything is good, chains, lights, registration stickers, etc... . don't give em a reason to stop you, you will be fine.....

 

[QRTRHRS]

Don't worry about the weight, that won't be the problem, as far as I know the weigh stations are for commercial only, if you get stopped just act dumb and pay the fee right there. You can always look up each states dot laws online just to make sure.

Except usually, you get caught over, you not only face a fine but they can and do make you correct the situation depending on the overage and the state.



Weigh your rig after you load out. If your legal, blow off the scales unless they actually wave you in. If you do get pulled over and the officer is on a fishing trip he will try to find out if your commercial which you are not. If you are over, consider running over the weekend when things are more quiet.

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

Everyone,

Thanks for the excellent feedback. I really apreciate it. I will definitely take the advice of weighing the truck before going too far. It's a good idea anyway. I'm looking forward to the trip.

Thanks again,

Joe

 

[QRTRHRS]

This thread got me thinking about an article in the November issue of a monthly horse paper called The Horsetrader. Returning from a cutting event, this man got pulled over in a town called Muleshoe, Texas. The officer proceded with the did you win questions and impounded the truck for ten hours (with horses). Because the driver admitted to winning money, he was charged with no log book, CDL, radar detector, no brakeaway on the trailer.



The drivers brother in law happened to be an attorney who stated that for one thing, his income should not have been questioned. Anyway, because he was under the 26k number and Texas does not honor the DOT 10k combination rating, he was not commercial.



The article goes on to say that it is common to find trailers with no brakeaway switch or a non functioning one. Commercial or not, any trailer with brakes needs one.

 

[klenger]

So based on what the cop believed, I am driving commercial when I commute to work because I get paid, or someone who full-times in an RV and relocates to another part of the country to work in a camp ground.

 

[KYLE4]

Just follow the standard operating procedures to avoid the man

 

[QRTRHRS]

So based on what the cop believed, I am driving commercial when I commute to work because I get paid, or someone who full-times in an RV and relocates to another part of the country to work in a camp ground.

No, the cop felt that because this man was hauling horses to a show and won money then he was a commercial operation. First of all, for the greater percentage of horse owner's like race car owners, more money goes in then comes out therefore, it would hardly survive as a business.



Driving a commercial or recreational vehicle just to go to your work place does not qualify unless (for most states) you are over 26k or you are hauling goods or people.



I just thought the article was interesting because it mentioned the radar detector. Other than CDL holders, who would have thought about that?