Towing in Florida

buzzinhalfdozen · 02-12-2009, 08:59 AM

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

Freddie · 02-12-2009, 09:14 AM

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

buzzinhalfdozen · 02-12-2009, 09:22 AM

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

Emily Stott · 02-12-2009, 09:48 AM

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

X-TECH MAN · 02-12-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emily Stott

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

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.

Mike Pearson · 02-12-2009, 12:11 PM

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.

davebw31 · 02-12-2009, 02:01 PM

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.

Jim Wahl · 02-12-2009, 02:08 PM

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

Chris DeGidio · 02-12-2009, 07:54 PM

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.

Emily Stott · 02-13-2009, 11:59 AM

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

02-12-2009, 08:59 AM	#1
buzzinhalfdozen Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bellevue Ohio Posts: 984 Likes: 0 Liked 11 Times in 8 Posts	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 __________________ Joe Buchanan SS/BX 3117

02-12-2009, 09:14 AM	#2
Freddie Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tampa Fla / Anderson SC Posts: 334 Likes: 12 Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Towing in Florida From what I understand about our towing laws, as long as your not over 65' total lenght, your fine. __________________ NHRA: Comp 2200 - S/C 2201 NMRA 2012 Outlaw 10.5 #10

02-12-2009, 09:22 AM	#3
buzzinhalfdozen Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bellevue Ohio Posts: 984 Likes: 0 Liked 11 Times in 8 Posts	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 __________________ Joe Buchanan SS/BX 3117

02-12-2009, 09:48 AM	#4
Emily Stott Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Campobello, SC Posts: 292 Likes: 0 Liked 372 Times in 28 Posts	Re: Towing in Florida What is the proper precedure it you are over 65'????

02-12-2009, 12:11 PM	#6
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,437 Likes: 611 Liked 1,904 Times in 571 Posts	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. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

02-12-2009, 02:01 PM	#7
davebw31 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 21 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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.

02-12-2009, 02:08 PM	#8
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,843 Likes: 666 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	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 __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 D2 National Open Stock Champion 1981 D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

02-12-2009, 07:54 PM	#9
Chris DeGidio Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 364 Likes: 8 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	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. __________________ Nautilus Racing Last edited by Chris DeGidio; 02-12-2009 at 09:12 PM.

02-13-2009, 11:59 AM	#10
Emily Stott Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Campobello, SC Posts: 292 Likes: 0 Liked 372 Times in 28 Posts	Re: Towing in Florida Thanks to everyone. We are thinking of going to Gainesville and needed to know what all we needed to do.