Illinois towing issues?

[Bill Edgeworth]

Originally Posted by Jeff Teuton

States vary. DOT starts @ 10000 lbs and applies to commercial vehicles and that is federal. If you get stopped and scaled, you actual weight determines any infractions. Down here we select the GVW we want within reason related to the GVW of the truck. Your state might not have a non commercial plate for the 14k GVW. I can inquire to a few friends that handle plates for companies, but we are a little far from you. One thing it could be and we have it here; the state will charge you more for that tag. I would send a letter to your state DMV asking the questions. Can't hurt. Hope this might help.

Thanks Jeff,

Your knowledge and advice are much appreciated!

From what you and others have written in the past this is probably the result of the Washington state DOL being screwed up like the rest of them. It makes no sense to me that a regular pick up truck must have a commercial use code. they said it was because of how heavy it is....well what about motorhomes??? I guess I need to ask a few locals what's on their registration.

[Jeff Teuton]

Most motorhomes have a token tag; basically a fee for the tag and it is an RV or some kind (as opposed to an RV Trailer TAg). I think NY has some kind of split system on motor home weights, but then again...... I don't know of any other state that has a system that is not a token, not to be confused with a different price depending on the selling price or value of the motor home, but there is no weight like a commercial truck tag. Always remember the gray area. Get in the gray area.

[FASTDIESEL]

One of the Nostalgia Super Stock Guys got busted by the IL State Troopers, on the way to the NMCA race at Gateway, Memorial Day weekend.

Gray haired, grandpa, Fred Radier was towing a 24', non-stickered, enclosed trailer (under 10K GVW), with his 2500 Dodge Ram.

Trooper pulled him over asked what he had in the trailer. Fred responded, a race car. Trooper looked at the car and said because the car had stickers on it (contingency decals?), he was racing for money, and that made him commercial. Trooper said he had to have CDL lisc., log book, DOT physical, DOT number, etc. Fred's car is a 12 second car, that doesn't even have a name on the side!

After some arguing and a call to Doug Duel, trooper let Fred go after taking down his info.

A week later, Fred got a ticket in the mail, addressed to "Fred Radier Racing". $750.00 fine for no DOT numbers on his "rig".... and if it wasn't paid promptly, it would be $1,000.00.

This isn't some second-hand, internet story. It happened this year to one of our friends we race with at NMCA.

I haven't heard the outcome, but apparently, the IL Troopers have declared war on Drag Racers, especially the very dangerous ones with gray hair, from out of state. I guess they figure we will just pay the fine, instead of coming back for a court date. More of the discussion here: http://www.nssracing.com/forums/show...vs-Drag-Racers

New way to increase state revenue (collect taxes).

[Jeff Teuton]

Last one I had like that, I had the guy plead not guilty in North Carolina. We were going to a hearing along with witnesses and all the above. It got to be principle. At the end, they dropped the fine from $1400 to $22 for 2000 lbs overweight on one axle and went away. Sometime you gotta fight. Sometime you gotta appeal.

[FASTDIESEL]

I hear you Jeff. I hope Fred went back to fight it.

My local Postmaster General said, mailing it to Fred Radier Racing, was falsifying official records. He advised to make copies, seal it back up, return to sender (return receipt requested) and state "NO SUCH ENTITY AT THIS ADDRESS".

Thanks for all your valuable info.

I think this is just Chicago Politics......Doing what they do best....

[SwampCritter]

Thanks for all the info. I had just about given up on racing there. I will be sure to have a copy of 390.3 with me the next time I head up that way. It seems there are lots of NSS races up that way and I had all but scratched them from my list.

-Dave

[DIAPERMAN]

Just bought a new toter home What should I put on truck as far as info .For example Not For Hire Regestered RV ???