Towing in Florida

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.

Freddie · 02-13-2009, 01:40 PM

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

It is found on the FDOT website.

stocker4046 · 02-13-2009, 02:35 PM

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).

02-12-2009, 12:11 PM	#1
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,443 Likes: 613 Liked 1,916 Times in 574 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	#2
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	#3
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,844 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 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

02-12-2009, 07:54 PM	#4
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	#5
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.

02-13-2009, 01:40 PM	#6
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 last year the over length permit was only $15. not sure about this year. It is found on the FDOT website. __________________ NHRA: Comp 2200 - S/C 2201 NMRA 2012 Outlaw 10.5 #10

02-13-2009, 02:35 PM	#7
stocker4046 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Baker, Louisiana Posts: 47 Likes: 1 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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).

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