attn Jeff Teuton Towing "Again"

[Larry Hill]

Its always easier to ask for forgiveness than to get permission.

[Randall Klein]

When this flared up awhile ago, I thought this is just the kind of "member issue" that needs to be addressed nationally by NHRA and reported in Nat'l Dragster as a service to the members. NHRA should partner with NASCAR, SCCA and all "sportsman" series that involve hobby-racers using pick-ups/tow vehicles and trailers (not pro semis)....they should all have a vested interested in helping their members navigate national regulations, instead of individuals getting differing views from the local Barney Fife.

You'd think

[RJ Sledge]

Charlie......did you offer him one of your MGD's while he was explaining all this to you???

RJ

[Phillip marvetz]

In washington state any vehicle over 10,000 gvw can be considered a commercial vehicle and ticketed even though the sign's at the weigh station's say vehicles over 16,000 need to stop. I was ticketed for not having a log book and fought it all the way to the supreme court and lost, that means your 1 ton diesel with a trailer and racecar are over the limit! Carry a log book even if you don't fill it out, at least you can if you get pulled over. it's no fun when the state patrol **** tell's you your out of service until you can provide a log book..
I cross the border to race in canada and have been told that since I can win money I am considered a business and need to get authorization from the B.C goverment, I counter with the argument that if I was going to a casino to gamble would I be a business? they always say no ,so I tell them that racing is a gamble, I don't get paid to race I only get money if I win. They drop there questioning after that.

[Kirk Morgan]

The answer to this problem is to change the registration weight to a lesser amount on the trailer if you are under the rated max gvw. to bring the amount below the 26,000 lbs. I think Charlie normaly tows with one car.

Kirk, AKA, Mutt

[Bob Verwold]

I'd say with all the cut backs everyone's making their just looking for extra money..........And we are prime targets, if you can afford to race, you can afford one of these B.S. tickets. That's my take on this.

[Charlie Ford]

Phillip, your statements reflect exactly what the Texas weights & measures supervisor explained to me. After he told me about the Federal regulations, I ask him, 'You mean to tell me, that, if a person tows a bass boat, with a dually, across the state line, any state line, he's subject to all these regulations?". He said "By law, yes". He went on to say that, for the most part, scenarios like that aren't inforced.

Kirk, I always thought it was what you actually weighed. Over the years, racing 2 cars, I would periodically weigh my various rigs to make sure I was under 26K lbs. I've been to Ca. a couple of times from Texas and the AZ/CA inspections are some of the toughest. They've checked my registration, contents, & safety stuff a few times. I never had a problem. When I informed the Texas officer about this, he asked me "When was the last time you made that trip?". It's been over 15 yrs., and he informed me that the laws have changed. As far as registration, I had my trailer in for Hurricane Ike repairs and talked to the service guy about trailer ratings, and could they be changed. He said absolutely not. The axles are what they are and that determines the GVWR. I have 3-6K lb. axles thus the 18K lb. rating.

[Tom P]

Originally Posted by Phillip marvetz

In washington state any vehicle over 10,000 gvw can be considered a commercial vehicle and ticketed even though the sign's at the weigh station's say vehicles over 16,000 need to stop. I was ticketed for not having a log book and fought it all the way to the supreme court and lost, that means your 1 ton diesel with a trailer and racecar are over the limit! Carry a log book even if you don't fill it out, at least you can if you get pulled over. it's no fun when the state patrol **** tell's you your out of service until you can provide a log book..
I cross the border to race in canada and have been told that since I can win money I am considered a business and need to get authorization from the B.C goverment, I counter with the argument that if I was going to a casino to gamble would I be a business? they always say no ,so I tell them that racing is a gamble, I don't get paid to race I only get money if I win. They drop there questioning after that.

Phil, i've had that same hassle from US Customs. They asked if there is prize money. I said I didn't know, i'm not at the track yet. I thought i'd get waterboarded but the four of the them just browbeat me until I offered up that there "probably is prize money but i'm not very likely to win any".
They made me pay $100 for a work visa/green card that they said was good for the year. That was the rest of the year. It was the end of October and the final race of the year at SIR which I got to just as first round and the rain started.

[cambria]

Very confusing.Everyone you talk to has a different opinion.I was told motor home exempt but then I was told if the total rig over 26k needed a special NY R endoesement so I go to the DMV and they have no idea what I am talking about.I look up the law and find the endorsement.Have to take a written and road test in the RV.(guy made me parallel park it) and then they give you an R endorsement.Next I am told by one so called expert if you are private RV registered in your name no lenght rules and another expert says there are length rules and a third expert says if you are on an interstate or access road to interstate no length rules.WTF.