Will DOT Stop Me???

[markdixon]

Will DOT Stop Me??? I DID IT !!!

Ive got a job towing a 35 ft cabin cruiser. Boat and trailer wt some where around 15 to 16000 lbs. I was planning on pulling the permit and putting on the oversized load signs. boat is 12ft wide and on the trailer about 13 ft high. I have a trailer that holds 16000 lbs big tri axel and has brakes on all axels but the truck is only a 3/4 ton and I have one weigh station between me and my distination. What do you think.

 

[SRadke]

I think that really depends on the state and how much of an a$$ the weighmaster wants to be. I towed a 24 ft stock trailer at 27,000 gross last night and drive right by the scales. Last year I got flaged down at a scale in south Washington with an empty flat bed trailer. It just depends on the mood of the day I think. I can tell you 27K on a 3/4 ton strains 'em a little. She was sitting on the rubber stops.

 

[PaulCreamer]

most definatly

at least to check your permits



best of luck!

 

[EricBu12]

Over 26K and you better go in especially if you are overwidth. Better to take that slowdown into it and have the permits up than to pay a big fine. noth worth the risk. Don't know much about florida scales but I would do that... .

 

[BV]

If you have the signs and permit then yes you better stop or run the risk of being stopped shortly after.

 

[klenger]

From what I have been able to determine, the weight stations could care less what the ratings of the truck are. They are only interested in how much weight you are carrying vs the combined width of the tires.

 

[y-knot]

I think i'd pass on that job, They have you no matter what you do. You are way over the trucks gcwr, and at 12' wide you have to have a escourt in front and back, along with all the signage and flags. I think most states would love to see you comming down the road, they can contribute to there budget deficet.

 

[Fireman]

Depends on how far you have to go. I'd chance a short trip, but they'll probably get 'ya on a long one.



That's how I see it,

Fireman

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by y-knot

You are way over the trucks gcwr, and at 12' wide you have to have a escourt in front and back, along with all the signage and flags. I think most states would love to see you comming down the road, they can contribute to there budget deficet.

Several months ago I saw a guy hauling a DMI 5-shank (approx. 12. 5-13' wide w/leveler) subsoiler. He was pulling it with a Cummins powered 3500, and had the ripper on a gooseneck tandem dual wheel flatbed that was maybe 25' long. He only had signs and strobe lights on the truck cab and on the trailer. NO escort. But this was in Illinois, so Fl. may be a little different, don't know for sure.



You will most likely need a permit(s), strobe lights on the truck and trailer plus the overside signs and probably some red flags for the outer edges, minimum.



If the trailer is a gooseneck, your truck should be OK. Boss' dad and brother gross around 24k all the time hauling cattle with 3/4 ton Chevy trucks. If it is bumper hitch, I'd maybe be a little leary of that much weight (depending on tongue weight) on a 3/4 ton truck.

 

[78repowerwagon]

Farmers can usually get away with more. I will pull wide and not think twice about it. No way would I pull A 12 foot wide boat, that would make the DOT smile when they see you.

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by 78repowerwagon

Farmers can usually get away with more. I will pull wide and not think twice about it.

He didn't appear to be a farmer. Looked like he was hauling to/from a dealer or an auction.

 

[D6Diesel]

If over any of the critical specs (GCWR, front and rear GAWR) and there is an accident... ..... just think of the hassels discussing all the details with the lawyers. Check out the TDR issue in feb of 2002 on how to organize for safe towing. No sense in leaving yourself vulnerable.

 

[Gray 5.9]

I know DOT here in Florida has been crackin down. Guy I know of that has a small Excavating company, his son got busted haulin a Kawasaki 2YD front end loader on a goose neck 30' dually tadem behind his F-350 . Same goes for the cattleman, A 40' cow trailer goin to the meat market. Cows weighing in between 1500 and up, YOUV'E GOT A LOAD :--)

 

[RVPILOT]

oversize

All states require a permit for loads over 105 inches, oversize includes any tie down straps or binders. I believe that all oversize loads are required to stop at scales at least to check permits. as a oversize load pilot I am familiar with most state laws and when applying for permits you must describe the towing vehicle, trailer and load. The state permit writers don't always get it right and put in a disclaimer so you as driver are responsible for any bridge hits or wires down. nice huh? on the other hand you can always bootleg it and avoid the scales and hope you don't get caught. (big fine) good luck Stormy

 

[speedracer]

I pulled a 10. 5 ft wide boat back from florida(with the pickup) last winter with no oversize signs, just played dumb hauling my boat down the road. Never got looked at twice by the highway patrol. However, a 12 ft wide boat is visually quite a bit bigger than my 10. 5 footer.



If I were gonna try this, I would do it one of two ways. I'd either load it up with no signs or anything else and head on down the road, and hope for the best, or I'd do it all legal and by the book. No half measures, 'cause if you've got oversize signs and don't pull into the scales(which in my recent florida experience are mostly open), that'll be a red flag to the dot guys if they see you. And if you have oversize signs on and go into the scales, you'd better have all of your i's dotted and t's crossed, 'cause all oversize loads have to stop in the scales, go inside and show your permits. So if you're going to go that route, you need to do the research and make sure you have all aspects covered.

 

[TPCDrafting]

If ya do it, make sure to get some pics and post'em here.

 

[y-knot]

I never was much for playing STUPID

 

[markdixon]

Well I towed the boat yesterday loaded it up at 7:00 am put my banners,flags and lights on. I also pulled the permit. It was a rainy day it rained from Jupiter all the way to just north of Orlando I towed it to Daytona Beach. The trip was around 200 miles one way the truck towed it with out problem at 65 mph. Stoped at the Cat scale the combined weight was 24,240lb On the way back I stoped and fuled up the truck the fuel milage was 10. 5 miles to the gallon this is running fully loaded and on the way back running 70mph with the trailler combined weight of 9865lb and it was fairly windy the whole day. And I called Dot thay told me the weigh station was just north of Daytona. Thanks for all the input .

 

[RVPILOT]

oversize

congragulations, you know the people in charge are not always awake, remember 911? I guess the best place to rob will be next to a police station. I've been with oversize loads and off route and the nears never asked or suspected. rvpilot