Towing in the ticket state NY some ??

[GMichaels]

Have done a lot of reading on towing here in new york. I have a unrestricted class A and was looking at making some extra money hauling. I could get a good tractor for 4k, a lot safer then a pick up when hauling 40k, but the kicker is insurance, 14k for 1 year. to steep for me, plus all the stickers.



Now I have a 93 dodge looking to pull 14k and insurance is 600. 00 and I can use the truck to get around in.



The other day I notice a dodge with a 20k trailer but no stickers (ita) , I walked up and he showed me a sticker on his truck. The sticker stated the truck was modified to carry the weight. I didn't have my glasses but it was a state issue sticker. he had to go, but not sure what the mods were.



Now i see these trucks pulling 15k all the time which exceeds the GVCW which someone quoted as 14k.



Does anyone know what the deal is?? I though as long as you do not exceed axle weight you were ok.



I guess its pay as you go cause the CVI's here won't talk with you.



Greg

 

[jimnance]

Registered weight and GVWR are two very different issues though they seem related. Registered weight is the states way of extracting additional registration fees based upon the maximum load you may be carrying. Carrying a load in excess of the registration weight, regardless of the GVWR may result in hefty fines. Registered weight has nothing to do with what is safe, or what the design limitation of the vehicle may be.



GVWR is the weight established by the vehicle manufacturer as the maximum weight that the vehicle may bear. It is not necessarily the maximum safe weight, as marketing clearly influences the GVWR as the manufacturer seeks to differentiate it's various product lines. The maximum safe weight could be higher, but is not likely to be lower for liabilty concerns. For practical purposes it I]is[/I] the weight you should consider as the maximum safe weight for the vehicle,



Each state handles the enforcement of registered weight and manufacturers weight ratings differently. Many states ignore RV's to a large degree for both issues, but expect that to change as our states look for ways to balance the budget. If you receive a violation it is possible that they might cite you for both infractions. In most states being registered at a higher weight does not exempt you from being violated for exceeding your GVWR or GAWR.



Happy trails.

 

[GMichaels]

Thanks for that explination. There are so many laws and no source for finding out what they are. So I will do what the pro's do if load is on the margin, haul at night in the rain.



Some NYS laws, No tinted glass, steel valve steems, haul for hire sign lettering have to be a certain sized based on area. I am sure there are hundreds more... ...

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

The insurance won't be $600 if you tell them you're a commercial hauler, it's gonna go up, way up, closer to the $14,000 a year and yes I do mean for your Dodge. Having the right insurance is going to be very important.

 

[jimnance]

Tim is correct. If you are hauling for hire different insurance is generally required. Also, most states require an intrastate authority permit to haul. If you are hauling Interstate (out of state) you must have DOT granted operating authority. Also, you will be subject to all the commercial regulations including hours of service requirements, maintaining a log book, and many more.



If you are contemplating "making some money on the side" carefully consider if it's worth it. If you are just hauling for friends you might get by. However, most commercial shippers will isssue or expect a shipping bill of lading. Once that has been issued you are clearly hauling for hire.

 

[GMichaels]

Yes I have been looking into this for some time. If I stay within stay within 300 miles of my home and no interstate haul, insurance is about 1200 per year with a goosneck, not a 5th wheel. they won't insure the 5th wheel.



I check with local NYS police, said I need to keep a log book, ita sticker; road tax,fuel tax. No authority sticker, which does seem odd to me, but I kept the officers name just in case I end up in court. Now that with no cargo insurance, but will have customer sign release, as most of my comp is doing the same thing.



I got next to nothing after this last year, so not much to loose. I did my homework, talked with other haulers, just doing what there doing.

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

I don't know if this site will help you out in your quest for information or not. Here it is to check out:

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/



Don

 

[Eric_77]

Federal fuel tax is only if over 26,001 and the paperwork and registration akes one hell of a leap and a jump up. SImple under 26,001 DOT motor vehicle authority cost me right at $500 with having someone else do the paperwork so it was done right. Insurance was a non-issue (we have to have over the limits for other work we do)but you do need a 1mil liabilty policy and it is registered with state and if it lapses then state is notified. If we did over 26,001 then it was going to be over $2000 in taxes/registration/fees.

 

[GMichaels]

I talked with my insurance company, long as its not a 5th and I am within 300 miles and not out of state its about 1200. 00



same deal with a tractor is 14k I asked him why, didn't have an answer. I want to go with a tractor cheaper then the PU and safer far as I am concerned, but 14k way to much for me...



Like i said my pocket is being picked 5 different ways, there is nothing left

 

[NIsaacs]

GMichaels;

You might check with some of the RV transport companys. They pay cargo insurance, all you furnish is bob tail liability. This is usually from $300,000-$500,000 coverage for about 5 or 6 hundred a year. Most of them have a very good network for back hauls. The main haul departures are out of Elkhart, Indiana, but there are other states. The nice part about hauling for them, would be the quick hook up with no loading or unloading time or effort. There is no trailer to buy or maintain. The pay is in the neighborhood of 75-85 cents per mile out of Idiana. The other pickup states pay less, as do most back hauls. The back hauls consist mostly of horse or cargo type trailers. The only drawback is most companys have a minimum year of tow truck, ususlly about 5 years old. Some companies are getting very busy with this type hauling so may be they will relax some. Some companies will also pay a surcharge for the high Diesel prices. I just thought you might be interested in this as you can be up and running without a lot of up front cash.



"IF IT AIN'T CUMMINS POWERED, IT AIN'T A TRUCK"



"NICK"

 

[Fastang]

I haul a 2 car wedge and a three car wedge and just got my class a cdl. Both of my truck and trailer combos are under 26k lbs. My insurance is $4000. 00 a year through progressive that includes full coverage for trucks and trailers and 100k of cargo insurance. I have no ifta problems under 26k and was okay without a cdl for the 2 car beause the trailer was tagged 9999lbs. Had to get a cdl when I went to the three car... .

 

[GMichaels]

Fastang



Good information, Do you do interstate hauling, and just cars or other types of loads? Is that a 1 mill lib? Could I talk with you more on your car hauling enterprize?



Oh one last question, what truck do you like better Dodge or the Ford??

 

[Fastang]

I do interstate hauling and only cars. I transport for dealers from around six new england auto auctions. I stay in CT,MA and RI 99% of the time. I don't have a million on my liability for the truck and trailer. Being a sole proprietor, I have a personal 3 million umbrella policy that covers me that way. I was the cheaper way to go and get more insurance. As far as the trucks go... Both have their highs and lows... Build quality, Ford all the way it has 313,000 miles on it with the original motor and auto transmission neither has ever been rebuilt. It's had 2 water pumps and a set of ball joints in all that time. (along with routine maintenance). And there is still barely a squeak or rattle to be heard. However the ford is lucky to get 10mpg average and the dodge is getting me 13. 6. The ford is a little better off the line the dodge is better on the top end but it does have a box on it... . And it's a six speed... I dunno... There's tradeoff's with both... Feel free to pm me with any questions you have or reply here... .