DOT info help
 

id love someone to help me understand the DOT rules as i have an opportunity to tow a vehicle to/from exhibitions for a group. Simple dually and tagalong 26ft trailer total weight under 22,000 probably less.

Will be across the USA have bookings in NY, Nevada,La,Va already for 2019

ive read the HORROR stories from you guys so i would like to be informed as best as possible !!

thank you in advance for your help !!

captain

Re: DOT info help
 

Deleted

Re: DOT info help
 

You may need to have a log book, if you want pm your phone # and I will try to explain.

Re: DOT info help
 

Jack, call me, I have been thru all of this. Jeff helped me out, and I THINK that I have the answers. But when you run into Buford T on the side of the road there is nothing that will help until you get to court.

Re: DOT info help
 

If the GVWR of the trailer is over 10,000 lbs, you technically need a Class A although on a 26' tandem axle I doubt you would be hassled.

Signage on the trailer will also be likely to garner more attention.

Re: DOT info help
 

Captain, if either the GVWR of the dually or the trailer is over 10,000 lbs. you will need a CDL...you are hauling a vehicle up and down the highway and you are being compensated ....ie ....you are being paid to transport this vehicle....a vehicle that is not titled in your name.....As Painter pointed out, when Buford T Justice pulls you over the **** will hit the fan. After you play dumb and tell him you didn’t think that you needed a CDL you will need a FOLDER to put all the tickets in...He will park you until you locate a local driver with a CDL to drive your rig to the state line...Now, with all that being said....when you open the trailer door to show Buford T what you are hauling, there is the possibility he may drop to his knees and roll on the ground laughing his Azz off.......

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Has anyone ever weighed a 26' trailer ?

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It doesn't matter what it weighs, unless you reclassify it. The GVW is what they look at. The fact that you are being compensated for transporting this vehicle to and from events makes you commercial and all the rules apply. Log Book, or ELD, US DOT numbers, physical, drug card. same as OTR drivers. Limited driving time.............................................. .................................................. ....................

Dan

Re: DOT info help
 

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

If truck and trailer weigh 10,001+ a DOT # is required.

I'm not sure at what point you need a log book but if you do....... a ELD must be used unless the engine is 99 or older. There is also the short haul exemption. If you travel 100 air miles and return home every night no log needed. Then that has the rolling 30 exemption, this states you can travel outside the 100mi 8 days out of every 30 working days. Now I've asked 3 DOT officers if you can stay out on these 8 days but received 3 different answers.

There's also a motor sport exemption. Lol

My advice, do everything not to get stopped. Biggest thing I see guys getting pulled over for is traveling I'n the truck restricted lanes. This is even if your towing a open trailer. If you do get stopped, don't ever give DOT attitude!!! They will ruin your day quick!!

Re: DOT info help
 

[QUOTE=J&S Racing;568727]A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.


Not totally true.
If the vehicle is a personal vehicle titled in your name and registered RV and you own the entire contents personally you only need a class A or B depending on the vehicle being towed. Under 10,000 lbs Class B over 10,000 class A.
Called a Non Commercial CDL with no log book etc.
What I currently have.
My 2 Cents
Rick in TX

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[QUOTE=63corvette;568744]That was a direct paste from FMSCA.
Class B pertains to strait jobs only.

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If your truck is 2000 or newer, you don’t need Eld if do 8 or less trips a month.

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Incorrect... 1999 or older. But that rule actually pertains to engine year rather than model year.
And from what I'm told the rolling 30 exemption and those 8 days the vehicle still needs to return home every day.

This is the problem with the whole deal. Everyone has different interpretations of the rules even the DOT officers but they don't mess around. They would rather hand you a fist full of tickets and put you out of service and let you fight it out in court.

I know this won't pertain to op but fuel is probably the thing that can get a racer in the most trouble!! If your not hazmat compliant fuel must be in no more than 4 dot approved 5 gal containers that are secured. And for the record your fuel cell in NOT dot approved so if you get on the wrong side of a officer they can get you for that.

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Thanks I’m really confused now ... even two lawyers are fighting .... I’m gonna get a cdl seems like that’s when they keep you stranded other issues result in tickets except hazmat and illegal stuff. Investigating if I work for the owner and Do not get paid to transport per say might be ok ... all is under 10,000 each and 20,000 gross. If it ends up a deal I’ll call you from jail 😏😏

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Since the motorhomes have been mentioned... this is a FL license.
https://i.imgur.com/DZbXo8L.jpg

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I honestly don't think you'll have an issue. I've never been pulled over and I've never gone thru a scale and my stuff is pretty big. I have read though that a CDL will more than likely keep you from any real issues if stopped.

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[QUOTE=J&S Racing;568748]There are exceptions listed further down in the regulations.
Class B is for a greater than 26,000 lb vehicle only. My motorhome is 33,000 dry and requires a Class B.
To obtain my license I took the CDL written test and a Driving Test in the motorhome just like the CDL test. Just no physical or drug test required.
I do not have the regulations in front of me however, I carry copies of those pages with me in my motorhome to be able to show them to an officer should he want to see them.
Just best not to argue with the officer who stopped you but you can with his supervisor if needed or the judge when in court.
The key is you are not commercial if you own all of the rig and contents, it is registered as a RV in your name, you are the driver, and you are not a for profit operation.
I just carry my hobby toys in a big rig.
My 2 Cents
Rick in TX

Re: DOT info help
 

The misinformation continues...

The rule for hazardous Materials of Trade is no more than 440 lbs total. For flammable liquids (fuel), it must be in containers of 8 gallons or less.

Re: DOT info help
 

As I've stated before, the rules are as "Clear As Mud," regardless of what anyone tells you. Best advice: Get a CDL.Keep a log book. Don't need a ELD if you drive less than eight days in a rolling 30 day period. Not sure if you mentioned it, but if the truck and/or trailer is registered in a company name rather than personal, you could have a problem.

Best advice #2: If you get pulled over, regardless of the instance, they're right and you're wrong. You could argue it but it's best to respect the badge. You could argue it later before a court of law, but at the scene, you'll only make things worse. Trust me on that one, I know all too well.

Bottom line: It's not as prevalent an issue as some make it out to be. Get on down the road and enjoy life. I should be the one to talk, but it's true.

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I wonder if that includes RV's with Trailers?

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The US needs Nation wide Driving requirements, weight and length laws. This State to state thing is crazy. not to mention incredibly complicated and confusing.

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Honestly, the whole thing is so confusing, even officer to officer. I have a class A CDL so I think that will keep me out of much trouble.

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My Class E license says>26,001 lbsGCWR & trailer >10,001 lbs-commercial use prohibited. All lesser vehicles included.