Towing in Florida
 

Not up on Florida towing laws but heard they were different than our great state. Going to bike week end of Feb. will be pulling 36 Ft. triple axle goose neck, anything special that I need, other than sun block? Joe

Re: Towing in Florida
 

From what I understand about our towing laws, as long as your not over 65' total lenght, your fine.

Re: Towing in Florida
 

Thanks I've heard that length mentioned before, but wasn't sure if that was the big thing they looked at. By the way do we have to go thru scales in your state? I know there are some states that want us to go thru the scales even though we're technically not commercial. Not sure why all the states can't have the same laws when it comes to this type of thing, seems like just one more way for the local Barney to ruin our day by inforceing some state or local specific law that the out of towner is unaware of. Joe

Re: Towing in Florida
 

What is the proper precedure it you are over 65'????

Re: Towing in Florida
 

I believe the wt limit is 10,000 lbs GVW max and triple axle also for a CDL in some states. Not 100 % sure on that though.

Re: Towing in Florida
 

I livre in florida. I have a dually and a 40 ft gooseneck. I have never had any problems while towing with my rig. I dont stop at the scales or the Agriculture check points. Emily, There is an over lenght permit that you can purchase if you are over 65 ft. I think you can get the info of of the FDOT website. The permit is much cheaper than the fine.

Re: Towing in Florida
 

You must have safety chains of suficient size in realtionship to the GVW rating, beak-away braking system, and all axles must have brakes over 10,000 GVW, Trailer under 10,000 must have at least one axle with brakes. Flat towed vehicles (not in or on a trailer) must have a system to activate the towed vehicle brakes when the towing vehicles' brakes are activated.

Re: Towing in Florida
 

Mike,
I can tell you from experience you are playing with fire if you don't stop at the agriculture stations! I didn't stop at the one on I10 near Tallahassee and was chased down, searched and told that it was FL law that ALL enclosed trailers MUST stop. The cop said it was a $1000 fine and possible confiscation for the first infraction. I have stopped at every one since then and can say I have never been searched, only asked what was inside the trailer. I tell them "a race car" and they usually say "have a nice day". You have probably gotten away with it all this time because the Ag cops are so busy with the big rigs. All it takes is one stop and you could lose your rig! Jim

Re: Towing in Florida
 

Jim,
The Ag employee is flexing his muscles a bit.The only reason to stop you is he thought you were a commecial vehicle.They also will make you stop if they "think" you are racing for profit.I have a sibling who is a Ag employee and works at one of the stations.

Re: Towing in Florida
 

Thanks to everyone. We are thinking of going to Gainesville and needed to know what all we needed to do.

Re: Towing in Florida
 

last year the over length permit was only $15. not sure about this year.

It is found on the FDOT website.

Re: Towing in Florida
 

We have a 48ft trailer and truck at 63 feet. I applied and was given no permit needed (stamped on the application) under 65 feet, but was instructed to stop at the agriculture stations and not the scales. With 2 race cares inside, each "ag" station waived me through (30 seconds).

Re: Towing in Florida
 

put a "not for hire" sign on it and they shouldn't give you a hard time.

Re: Towing in Florida
 

FL DOT section 390.3(f)(3) says as long as the race car is not for commercial use,that any prize money won is claimed on taxes,and no corporate sponsorship is all over the trailer you are exempt. That's the short version.

Re: Towing in Florida
 

The length is 65' or longer. Permit is $15 and good for a year. Can do it on the net with a credit card.
DOT starts with 10K lbs, but they got bigger fish to kill. I would have enough truck tag to cover the actual weight of your truck and trailer if you use a pickup.

Re: Towing in Florida
 

Jim,

Thanks for the warning. I was told by the officer at the Tallahassee Ag checkpoint that race trailers and campers did not need to stop at the ag checkpoints. I guess I will stop next time by and make sure that is still correct.

Re: Towing in Florida
 

We just (2/16/09) received our Blanket Permit from the Florida Dept. of Transportation and paid $20.00 which is good for 1 year. Did we get ripped off?

John Dusenbery
Colorado DS/SS

Re: Towing in Florida
 

It could be $20. I have been wrong before as my wife frequently points out.

Re: Towing in Florida
 

Thanks for the replies,I may be more confused than before if that's possible. It sounds like we're good to go (we're under 65 ft.) so hopefully there will be no issues. Now we just need the weather to cooperate. Joe

Re: Towing in Florida
 

Weather forcast for D2 Lucas Oil @ Gainesville is good so far.

Re: Towing in Florida
 

At least North Carolina is stepping up to address this length issue for us. DRO has a news article today stating that bill #69 has been introduced to exempt motorsports haulers under a couple of conditions up to 90 Feet. It states that a former State Rep Karen Ray who now heads the the North Carolina Motorsports Assoc. helped to get this introduced along with Current State Rep Nelson Cole. Finally a couple of people with some government connections who care and realize we just want to have some fun.


sorry its Competition Plus not DRO