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chevy620 · 05-26-2013, 09:41 AM

I agree with Bunkster. If you have a couple minutes, here is a true story about a DOT stop I just went through. (It IS another FEDERAL SCAM and JOBS PROGRAM>

I have pulled over a few times towing everything from 24' trailer with a 28' junk old motor home to a new 38' pusher with a 34' trailer and last weekend just got stopped with my "latest junk", 34' pusher and a 28' one car trailer.

I learned a little at each stop but the "MAIN THING I LEARNED", the DOT enforcement guys are being "forced to stop us" due to Federal Grants that require it to see if they can raise revenues. Nothing to do with safety, or any other potential problems.

My last stop is a good example:
I was going 62 in a 65 mph zone. He did a U-turn from the other side of the divided highway. (I sorted laughed thinking somebody who passed me is going to get busted). Then it ends up he is stuck behind me with the lights on.
We pull over and I see him out of his new SUV and he attaching his measuring tape to the rear of my trailer. I get out and he tells me "you are 66' 8", maximum length in Iowa id 65', what can you do about it?"
My response...smiling of course, "get out a chainsaw and shorten the coach I guess."

At least we were on laughing terms for a minute.
He wanted to know if I was commercial, because he say the 8'x3' TrailerToad.com logo on the trailer I guess. He also asked for registrations and proof of insurance papers. Another question he slid in there was "do I write this off on my taxes?" My honest answer" "I do not". That's is because they are paid for and depreciated out so there is nothing left to deduct.

He noticed I had a Commercial Driver's License and asked if this was a commercial enterprise again. I told him I was hauling my person race car to a local race for entertainment and nobody was paying me to take it there. He asked if I ran for a cash prize.

I said yes, BUT..... it does not mean I will earn any of the money and if I do it is claimed on a 1099 tax form.

He looked EVERYTHING over closely: I have to admit, he liked the idea of the Trailer Toad as a hitch extension but had never seen one. Safety chains (make sure you are crossed under the attachment point, breakaway switch voltage (he had a voltage tester in his pocket), went in the trailer to see if I had fuel containers, how many and to make sure they are strapped down.

He asked for a logbook (I told him since I was not Commercial at this time I am not required to keep a logbook; he agreed), don't fall for that. If you keep a logbook you are pretty much declaring you MIGHT be commercial.

He did tell me I was the 12th tow vehicle with trailer he stopped that morning. To my credit.. I was the SHORTEST. The longest was 86 feet.

He was not writing tickets for over length but he did say a few guys got citations for non-working brake safety switches, lights that didn't work and out of date registrations.

He also said he was stopping motor sports trailers on orders from his boss. He was pretty candid when he said it is like any other business, they need more revenue to keep their employees.

As we parted, my last response was " Doesn't it seem strange you guys "actually work for us" as employees yet we seem to be the target of government officials". As he walked off he said "Yes, it is stupid and I hope you have a fun day at the races."

You interpret it your self but IF WE DO NOT WORK TOGETHER with support from track owners, sanctioning bodies, etc this sport will disappear because most of the racers are getting older and if I have to go racing with a pickup and an open trailer in 100-degree heat...I am taking up fishing I guess.

05-26-2013, 09:41 AM	#4
chevy620 Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 188 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Dept Of Trans seminar by IMA last Wed I agree with Bunkster. If you have a couple minutes, here is a true story about a DOT stop I just went through. (It IS another FEDERAL SCAM and JOBS PROGRAM> I have pulled over a few times towing everything from 24' trailer with a 28' junk old motor home to a new 38' pusher with a 34' trailer and last weekend just got stopped with my "latest junk", 34' pusher and a 28' one car trailer. I learned a little at each stop but the "MAIN THING I LEARNED", the DOT enforcement guys are being "forced to stop us" due to Federal Grants that require it to see if they can raise revenues. Nothing to do with safety, or any other potential problems. My last stop is a good example: I was going 62 in a 65 mph zone. He did a U-turn from the other side of the divided highway. (I sorted laughed thinking somebody who passed me is going to get busted). Then it ends up he is stuck behind me with the lights on. We pull over and I see him out of his new SUV and he attaching his measuring tape to the rear of my trailer. I get out and he tells me "you are 66' 8", maximum length in Iowa id 65', what can you do about it?" My response...smiling of course, "get out a chainsaw and shorten the coach I guess." At least we were on laughing terms for a minute. He wanted to know if I was commercial, because he say the 8'x3' TrailerToad.com logo on the trailer I guess. He also asked for registrations and proof of insurance papers. Another question he slid in there was "do I write this off on my taxes?" My honest answer" "I do not". That's is because they are paid for and depreciated out so there is nothing left to deduct. He noticed I had a Commercial Driver's License and asked if this was a commercial enterprise again. I told him I was hauling my person race car to a local race for entertainment and nobody was paying me to take it there. He asked if I ran for a cash prize. I said yes, BUT..... it does not mean I will earn any of the money and if I do it is claimed on a 1099 tax form. He looked EVERYTHING over closely: I have to admit, he liked the idea of the Trailer Toad as a hitch extension but had never seen one. Safety chains (make sure you are crossed under the attachment point, breakaway switch voltage (he had a voltage tester in his pocket), went in the trailer to see if I had fuel containers, how many and to make sure they are strapped down. He asked for a logbook (I told him since I was not Commercial at this time I am not required to keep a logbook; he agreed), don't fall for that. If you keep a logbook you are pretty much declaring you MIGHT be commercial. He did tell me I was the 12th tow vehicle with trailer he stopped that morning. To my credit.. I was the SHORTEST. The longest was 86 feet. He was not writing tickets for over length but he did say a few guys got citations for non-working brake safety switches, lights that didn't work and out of date registrations. He also said he was stopping motor sports trailers on orders from his boss. He was pretty candid when he said it is like any other business, they need more revenue to keep their employees. As we parted, my last response was " Doesn't it seem strange you guys "actually work for us" as employees yet we seem to be the target of government officials". As he walked off he said "Yes, it is stupid and I hope you have a fun day at the races." You interpret it your self but IF WE DO NOT WORK TOGETHER with support from track owners, sanctioning bodies, etc this sport will disappear because most of the racers are getting older and if I have to go racing with a pickup and an open trailer in 100-degree heat...I am taking up fishing I guess.