Illinois towing issues?

Lynn A McCarty · 07-15-2014, 10:54 AM

Just wondering about traveling in the blue state for a race? Here is what I have heard:

*No decals
*No fuel in fuel cell
*Weight below DOT maximum
*Break away mechanism functional.
*length (uggggg) (federal DOT says nothing about length)

Bill Grubbs · 07-15-2014, 11:52 AM

Been numerous times, day, night, north, south, east and west. Speed limit for "big rigs" is 55, not 60, not 65, not 70. It seems speed limit signs for big rigs are only posted every 30-40 miles.

Never had a problem. Just my experience. Next time may be different.

Question, is a speeding ticket more expensive than an over length fine...? Does the OL fine carry over to higher INS for the requisite time like a speeding ticket?

Jeff Teuton · 07-15-2014, 12:13 PM

DOT limit on fuel is 1000 lbs. Don't need placards or other notices. A drum of fuel weights about 400 lbs. Length is state. If your rig it titled in any company name or venture (Super Fast Racing), you are DOT. Personal name, DOT manual 390.3 and get a copy (they are cheap), most motor home plates have no weight and are just a token tag much like a trailer. Most police officers know less about this regulation than you do. Hope this helps. Manual available from LabelMaster, Chicago and the number I have is 1-800-621-5308 Federal Motor Carier Regulations. Probably got a web site too. Just found LabelMaster, what you want is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Management Edition. They are about $13 hard bound or $15 spiral plus shipping. Pretty good tool to have, and 390.3 is the section about race car (and boat and horses etc ) exemption.

btrc · 07-15-2014, 01:56 PM

Is the exemption for race cars #3 below or #4 below "sick persons"?

(f) Exceptions. Unless otherwise specifically provided, the rules in this subchapter do not apply to—
(1) All school bus operations as defined in §390.5, except for the provisions of §§391.15(e) and (f), 392.80, and 392.82 of this chapter.
(2) Transportation performed by the Federal government, a State, or any political subdivision of a State, or an agency established under a compact between States that has been approved by the Congress of the United States;
(3) The occasional transportation of personal property by individuals not for compensation nor in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise;
(4) The transportation of human corpses or sick and injured persons;

Tom P · 07-15-2014, 07:13 PM

Sounds like you can carry dead bodies (commonplace in Chicago i've heard) but having stickers on a car inside a trailer is naughty.

I think this is the part the federales like to pounce on.... "not for compensation nor in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise"
They just have a very warped view of what commerce is.

Jeff Teuton · 07-15-2014, 09:36 PM

Your number 3 is the 390.3.

07-15-2014, 10:54 AM	#1
Lynn A McCarty Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Plainfield (INDY) Indiana Posts: 468 Likes: 1 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Illinois towing issues? Just wondering about traveling in the blue state for a race? Here is what I have heard: No decals No fuel in fuel cell Weight below DOT maximum Break away mechanism functional. *length (uggggg) (federal DOT says nothing about length) __________________ Lynn A McCarty 3470 SS

07-15-2014, 11:52 AM	#2
Bill Grubbs Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 404 Likes: 1 Liked 458 Times in 61 Posts	Re: Illinois towing issues? Been numerous times, day, night, north, south, east and west. Speed limit for "big rigs" is 55, not 60, not 65, not 70. It seems speed limit signs for big rigs are only posted every 30-40 miles. Never had a problem. Just my experience. Next time may be different. Question, is a speeding ticket more expensive than an over length fine...? Does the OL fine carry over to higher INS for the requisite time like a speeding ticket?

07-15-2014, 07:13 PM	#5
Tom P Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 698 Likes: 29 Liked 220 Times in 89 Posts	Re: Illinois towing issues? Sounds like you can carry dead bodies (commonplace in Chicago i've heard) but having stickers on a car inside a trailer is naughty. I think this is the part the federales like to pounce on.... "not for compensation nor in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise" They just have a very warped view of what commerce is.

07-15-2014, 09:36 PM	#6
Jeff Teuton VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 2,717 Likes: 2 Liked 326 Times in 50 Posts	Re: Illinois towing issues? Your number 3 is the 390.3. __________________ Jeff Teuton 4022 STK

07-15-2014, 12:13 PM	#3
Jeff Teuton VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 2,717 Likes: 2 Liked 326 Times in 50 Posts	Re: Illinois towing issues? DOT limit on fuel is 1000 lbs. Don't need placards or other notices. A drum of fuel weights about 400 lbs. Length is state. If your rig it titled in any company name or venture (Super Fast Racing), you are DOT. Personal name, DOT manual 390.3 and get a copy (they are cheap), most motor home plates have no weight and are just a token tag much like a trailer. Most police officers know less about this regulation than you do. Hope this helps. Manual available from LabelMaster, Chicago and the number I have is 1-800-621-5308 Federal Motor Carier Regulations. Probably got a web site too. Just found LabelMaster, what you want is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Management Edition. They are about $13 hard bound or $15 spiral plus shipping. Pretty good tool to have, and 390.3 is the section about race car (and boat and horses etc ) exemption. __________________ Jeff Teuton 4022 STK Last edited by Jeff Teuton; 07-15-2014 at 12:33 PM.

07-15-2014, 01:56 PM	#4
btrc Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 252 Likes: 272 Liked 84 Times in 42 Posts	Re: Illinois towing issues? Is the exemption for race cars #3 below or #4 below "sick persons"? (f) Exceptions. Unless otherwise specifically provided, the rules in this subchapter do not apply to— (1) All school bus operations as defined in §390.5, except for the provisions of §§391.15(e) and (f), 392.80, and 392.82 of this chapter. (2) Transportation performed by the Federal government, a State, or any political subdivision of a State, or an agency established under a compact between States that has been approved by the Congress of the United States; (3) The occasional transportation of personal property by individuals not for compensation nor in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise; (4) The transportation of human corpses or sick and injured persons;