DMV Crackdown - Page 2

FED 387 · 08-09-2008, 11:59 AM

quick question --when they talk about overall length are they measuring from bumper to bumper OR are they measuring the length of the motorhome and the enclosed (box) portion of the trailer LESS the drawbar length to arrive at the total length??? When you buy a trailer the 24 or 32 or whatever foot measurement applies to the enclosed portion or bed of the trailler NOT the actual overall length---From the very tip of the drawbar to the absolute furthest point rearward on the trailer---How are they doing it?? Comp387

Dottie DiBartolomeo · 08-09-2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FED 387

quick question --when they talk about overall length are they measuring from bumper to bumper OR are they measuring the length of the motorhome and the enclosed (box) portion of the trailer LESS the drawbar length to arrive at the total length??? When you buy a trailer the 24 or 32 or whatever foot measurement applies to the enclosed portion or bed of the trailler NOT the actual overall length---From the very tip of the drawbar to the absolute furthest point rearward on the trailer---How are they doing it?? Comp387

Bumper to bumper is overall length.

Angela Macy · 08-09-2008, 12:17 PM

I mentioned some of this stuff to my superior, which sparked his interest due to where I work. He had a contact - Luetienent (sp?) with the Highway Patrol - this guy is over our general area, about 8 counties, including Guilford. Interestingly enough, the guy mentioned he had just gotten off the phone with a legislator regarding this stuff. He also said they were having more crack downs in the Farmington area.

According to him, which contradicts what is being posted on here and what everyone is being told, you're ok if your rig is over 60 feet if you are on a STAA approved road. http://www.ncdot.org/doh/preconstruc...ic/safety/TSI/

Here is a link to STAA approved routes - http://www.ncdot.org/it/img/DataDist...statewideMaps/

Basically anything interstate - such as I-85 and I-40 are approved. However, routes from those to the track probably aren't - such as Route 801 going to Farmington. Is this where they are busting people, on the small roads? Or are they busting people on the interstate?

He also said you could tow something behind a motorhome as long as it wasn't over 60 feet on a non STAA approved route.

He acted like more of the problem is with people not having CDLs. Anything over 10,000 pounds being towed for commercial use - commercial meaning generates income, which includes drag racing - requires CDL - also, if I wasn't mistaking, if you're towing with a 5th wheel you need a CDL according to what that guy says, but I suppose since most 5th wheel trailers are 3 axel they probably are over 10,000 pounds loaded anyway? It was all very confusing and again, contradicting what other are being told.

As for State Employees CDL only being for State Vehicles, me and my superior did not know that to be true. I know for sure a State Employees CDL license doesn't say "for state vehicle use only". However, most NCDOT employees who are Transportation Workers have a CDL with an endorsement only allowing them to drive a dump truck or like vehicle with a regular tag trailer, such as one for a backhoe. Their CDL endorsement says "No Semi Trailer" - Semi Trailer meaning 5th wheel connection. The reason this is the only endorsement most have is because that is all their job requires them to have which is all the state will reimburse the employee for. There are some TW's who have the endorsement to tow Semi Trailer, such as a low boy, if there job requires them to do so.

The State Worker can get additional endorsements if they want, the State just isn't going to pay for it if its not needed for their job.

One thing though worth mentioning, which may be where this is coming from, is the State Employees aren't required to have a medical card or the phyicals every so often. So if you're a State Employee and use your CDL for non state related things you probably should go on your own and get the required physicals to have the CDL and have that card. Meaning if you get stopped in a State Vehicle without a medical card your ok but in a personal vehicle your not. Also, state TW don't have to keep log books but out in the "real world" you would need to.

So in general a State Employee with a CDL while on the job isn't required to have all the paperwork your average Joe has, but once their an average joe using their CDL they'd have to have the paperwork.

Again, to the best of my knowledge and my supervisors - obviously things aren't so black and white so we may be wrong too.

Honestly I didn't get all the answers to my questions - simply put, us taking our dually with a trailer racing shouldn't require us to file out log books, take medical exams, have to stop at weigh stations, etc. I've also heard but not confirmed that it makes you auto insurance go up? (anyone know??) I'm sure there is more to it than just that as well.

Here is a link to the DMV page for CDL requirements
http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/driver_serv...uirements.html

You can download the CDL handbook here
http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/driver_serv...g/cdlhandbook/

If nothing more, I hope this meeting doesn't just focus on the length issue, but get clearer rules for us and our CDL needs.

Angela Macy · 08-09-2008, 12:22 PM

One more thing, for those who are posting but not in NC - here if your towing with a pick up truck you have to have a weighted commercial tag that covers the weight of your truck and trailer - ours is for 18,000 pounds and its several hundred dollars a year - $217 or $317 - can't remember exactly. However, if your towing with a motorhome you can have a recreational vehicle plate which is only $28 or so a year. Thats kind of been a beef with Scott, shouldn't the motorhome have to have a weighted plate too? However, apparently some are being told they can't tow with a motorhome at all, so maybe that has something to do with it as well - the plate on the motorhome isn't weighted?

Another issue I have with that is its implying our truck is "Commerical" - the plate says so. But if we're not towing over 10,000 pounds we're not required to have a CDL. But then go back to what the trooper said, going drag racing is consider Commercial Use since we're generating income. So in that case should we have a CDL regardless if our trailer is over 10,000 pounds or not? Again, VERY CONFUSING.

Lou SG2340 · 08-08-2008, 07:24 PM

I am going to contact the Family Motor Coach Assoc. and see what there take is on this. Most Motor Homes flat towing a car would be affected by this. The more groups that get envolved the better chance of something happening
Lou

08-09-2008, 11:59 AM	#1
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,422 Likes: 532 Liked 333 Times in 180 Posts	Re: DMV Crackdown quick question --when they talk about overall length are they measuring from bumper to bumper OR are they measuring the length of the motorhome and the enclosed (box) portion of the trailer LESS the drawbar length to arrive at the total length??? When you buy a trailer the 24 or 32 or whatever foot measurement applies to the enclosed portion or bed of the trailler NOT the actual overall length---From the very tip of the drawbar to the absolute furthest point rearward on the trailer---How are they doing it?? Comp387

08-09-2008, 12:17 PM	#3
Angela Macy Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Randleman, NC Posts: 301 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: DMV Crackdown I mentioned some of this stuff to my superior, which sparked his interest due to where I work. He had a contact - Luetienent (sp?) with the Highway Patrol - this guy is over our general area, about 8 counties, including Guilford. Interestingly enough, the guy mentioned he had just gotten off the phone with a legislator regarding this stuff. He also said they were having more crack downs in the Farmington area. According to him, which contradicts what is being posted on here and what everyone is being told, you're ok if your rig is over 60 feet if you are on a STAA approved road. http://www.ncdot.org/doh/preconstruc...ic/safety/TSI/ Here is a link to STAA approved routes - http://www.ncdot.org/it/img/DataDist...statewideMaps/ Basically anything interstate - such as I-85 and I-40 are approved. However, routes from those to the track probably aren't - such as Route 801 going to Farmington. Is this where they are busting people, on the small roads? Or are they busting people on the interstate? He also said you could tow something behind a motorhome as long as it wasn't over 60 feet on a non STAA approved route. He acted like more of the problem is with people not having CDLs. Anything over 10,000 pounds being towed for commercial use - commercial meaning generates income, which includes drag racing - requires CDL - also, if I wasn't mistaking, if you're towing with a 5th wheel you need a CDL according to what that guy says, but I suppose since most 5th wheel trailers are 3 axel they probably are over 10,000 pounds loaded anyway? It was all very confusing and again, contradicting what other are being told. As for State Employees CDL only being for State Vehicles, me and my superior did not know that to be true. I know for sure a State Employees CDL license doesn't say "for state vehicle use only". However, most NCDOT employees who are Transportation Workers have a CDL with an endorsement only allowing them to drive a dump truck or like vehicle with a regular tag trailer, such as one for a backhoe. Their CDL endorsement says "No Semi Trailer" - Semi Trailer meaning 5th wheel connection. The reason this is the only endorsement most have is because that is all their job requires them to have which is all the state will reimburse the employee for. There are some TW's who have the endorsement to tow Semi Trailer, such as a low boy, if there job requires them to do so. The State Worker can get additional endorsements if they want, the State just isn't going to pay for it if its not needed for their job. One thing though worth mentioning, which may be where this is coming from, is the State Employees aren't required to have a medical card or the phyicals every so often. So if you're a State Employee and use your CDL for non state related things you probably should go on your own and get the required physicals to have the CDL and have that card. Meaning if you get stopped in a State Vehicle without a medical card your ok but in a personal vehicle your not. Also, state TW don't have to keep log books but out in the "real world" you would need to. So in general a State Employee with a CDL while on the job isn't required to have all the paperwork your average Joe has, but once their an average joe using their CDL they'd have to have the paperwork. Again, to the best of my knowledge and my supervisors - obviously things aren't so black and white so we may be wrong too. Honestly I didn't get all the answers to my questions - simply put, us taking our dually with a trailer racing shouldn't require us to file out log books, take medical exams, have to stop at weigh stations, etc. I've also heard but not confirmed that it makes you auto insurance go up? (anyone know??) I'm sure there is more to it than just that as well. Here is a link to the DMV page for CDL requirements http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/driver_serv...uirements.html You can download the CDL handbook here http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/driver_serv...g/cdlhandbook/ If nothing more, I hope this meeting doesn't just focus on the length issue, but get clearer rules for us and our CDL needs.

08-09-2008, 12:22 PM	#4
Angela Macy Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Randleman, NC Posts: 301 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: DMV Crackdown One more thing, for those who are posting but not in NC - here if your towing with a pick up truck you have to have a weighted commercial tag that covers the weight of your truck and trailer - ours is for 18,000 pounds and its several hundred dollars a year - $217 or $317 - can't remember exactly. However, if your towing with a motorhome you can have a recreational vehicle plate which is only $28 or so a year. Thats kind of been a beef with Scott, shouldn't the motorhome have to have a weighted plate too? However, apparently some are being told they can't tow with a motorhome at all, so maybe that has something to do with it as well - the plate on the motorhome isn't weighted? Another issue I have with that is its implying our truck is "Commerical" - the plate says so. But if we're not towing over 10,000 pounds we're not required to have a CDL. But then go back to what the trooper said, going drag racing is consider Commercial Use since we're generating income. So in that case should we have a CDL regardless if our trailer is over 10,000 pounds or not? Again, VERY CONFUSING.

08-08-2008, 07:24 PM	#5
Lou SG2340 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Disputanta Va (30 minutes from VMP) Posts: 122 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: DMV Crackdown I am going to contact the Family Motor Coach Assoc. and see what there take is on this. Most Motor Homes flat towing a car would be affected by this. The more groups that get envolved the better chance of something happening Lou