Pomona Bound - CA Towing Tips

[Lenny5160]

I have two friends racing in the Summit runoffs in Pomona. We are coming down with both cars in a pickup/53' trailer. My rig is virtually identical and I've towed a lot of miles, but I'm nervous about CA. I do have a CDL and health card, and will be doing a log book so we shouldn't be completely stuck if trouble arises.

We are looking into the Motorsports Exemption Permit which will help on vehicle length, if we can get it. There are designated major routes for this, and we aren't planning to tour around anyway. We'll enter on 40 from AZ and head straight to the track.

Will we need a fuel tax permit?

What should we do at the scale houses?

Any other tips are appreciated. Thank you!

[MR DERBY CITY]

Originally Posted by Lenny5160

I have two friends racing in the Summit runoffs in Pomona. We are coming down with both cars in a pickup/53' trailer. My rig is virtually identical and I've towed a lot of miles, but I'm nervous about CA. I do have a CDL and health card, and will be doing a log book so we shouldn't be completely stuck if trouble arises.

We are looking into the Motorsports Exemption Permit which will help on vehicle length, if we can get it. There are designated major routes for this, and we aren't planning to tour around anyway. We'll enter on 40 from AZ and head straight to the track.

Will we need a fuel tax permit?

What should we do at the scale houses?

Any other tips are appreciated. Thank you!

Don't speed, use signals, don't talk on cell phone....If pulled over be courteous and respectful....

[cad]

You might check on how much fuel that you can haul.
Fire extinguishers.

[NHRA Trey]

http://www.nhraracer.com/content/gen...019&zoneid=175

[Lenny5160]

Originally Posted by NHRA Trey

http://www.nhraracer.com/content/gen...019&zoneid=175

Thank you, Trey. That's pretty much what got our wheels spinning on the topic.

Since the link mentions motorhomes/toterhomes as well as the permit being enforced at the scales, does that mean that motorhomes need to weigh in CA? We will be in a pickup, but are just trying to get a feel for how to handle this state. Around here, I know some people that weigh and some that bypass the scales.

Before I got a DOT number and everything, I towed for years and was never chased down after bypassing a scale. Once I got a number, I feel that I should weigh and I do.

This isn't my rig though, so I'm trying to create a game plan.

Thanks for the replies so far!

[Bernie Cunningham]

I live in So Cal and have owned and towed a 50' trailer for15 years now and, touch wood, I have never been pulled over. I've used duallies, FL70 Freightliner and now a crew cab flat bed to tow with.
Ca. weigh stations do not require pickups to weigh.
I do have a non commercial Class A license and l travel at 69 MPH, 14 over the limit.
So my advice is don't worry about it, make sure you stay in the 2 right lanes though.

[Ed Wright]

Guessing you have California tags? Not only in CA, out of state tagged rigs get stopped for things that in-state rigs get by with. Texas as well.

[Mike Gray]

http://www.dot.ca.gov/trafficops/per...torsports.html

[Bernie Cunningham]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

Guessing you have California tags? Not only in CA, out of state tagged rigs get stopped for things that in-state rigs get by with. Texas as well.

Ed. I've been thru a lot of the US states with this rig over the years, west to east and back again. I suppose you would call me 'just lucky' ? No worries.

[SStockDart]

I pull a 34 ft. Tag trailer. California cops are really good at catching speeders. Once they stop you, they can check everything, even the amount of fuel on board.

My advice is don't go over the speed limit (it's 55) and all will be fine. Give yourself plenty of time in Cali.