overlength vehicle - Page 2

Bernie Cunningham · 09-27-2009, 09:37 PM

What I don't understand is they want you to tell them if you claim your race winnings on ya taxes, how can they know if you do or not! It's got nothing to do with them, are they gonna want to see your tax returns next???? I carry no 'TANGIBLE GOODS' in my trailer, nothing to be sold, ( through my other business I must report to the STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION to pay these taxes) so how do you need a commercial license?

What's different from us and a guy going from job to job with a trailer that has lawn mowing equipment, framers tools, tiling stuff, roofing tools etc., we're all taking our tools to the job site !!!!

I understand the weight thing or even the length thing, that should be the trigger. I took my 50' trailer and my dually to the DMV in CA. and they wasted 3 visits of mine (all with a different written test) to finally agree that all I needed was a non-commercial Class A licence. I took the driving test in my own equipment and they never checked the the GVWR on anything, the only requirement was that I remove the CONTESTANT stickers from the windshield. (she was a cute gal though!)

Do ya think it's time for the the organizations and sanctioning body's take a stand, HECK YEA. It's probably more important now than ever and more than likely, easier to get an agreement from all states and feds.

Adger Smith · 09-27-2009, 10:23 PM

When are the racing organizations going to recognize it would be in their best interest to be pro active and help the contestants? It's just another thing that is making the car counts low. When are the states going to realize it is better to have us travel to or through their states and help the economy by buying fuel, food and supplies than stay home? If I get pinched &/or hasseled for no real reason by the man 2 things take palce. (1) I don't go back to that state and (2) any money spent on fines just limits the number of races I can attend.
I wonder what the guys that are getting bigger and bigger fishing rigs are facing. Have any of you guys seen all the advertisement on the sides of those? The other day I saw a Prevost and a Stacker trailer with fishing ad decals all over it going down I-30. He was followed by another motor home with an open stacker. Boat on top and a compact pickup on the bottom. The pickup and boat were both dressed in decals. I assumed these were some Pro fishermen.

Bruce Noland · 09-28-2009, 06:30 AM

SEMA, does not lobby for the racers. The racers may get some indirect benefit from SEMA's efforts but that is about it. SEMA lobbies for the manufacturers of automotive products. nhra should be out there working for the racers but it appears the Pros are "all set."

chevy620 · 09-28-2009, 08:11 AM

Hey guys, I am afraid it isn't going to get better real soon.

I manufacturer the Trailer Toad motor home hitch which allows the motor homes to tow heavy trailers without damaging the motor home itself and I get a lot of input from racers/customers on what they are seeing out there on the road.

Here is what a lot of them do:
Check the DOT websites for the states you travel through the most often. They might offer a low priced overlength permit and you can see what the rules are.
Prepare yourself to be stopped. Be respectful, the guy is just doing what some pencil pusher in an office told him to do, and listen to what he says.
Have a copy of the DOT Exemption 390 in your "log book" (yes, if I was you I would have one) and be ready to use it.
Have all you lights working, extra fuses, fire extinguisher accessible from outside compartment, Pre-Trip inspection records, Liability Insurance Card, A copy of your NHRA/IHRA Physical or a DOT Physical form. Have all this in a notebook so you look organized and can answer his questions correctly.

As for the "Do you race for money? Then you are a commercial entitiy" speel, I have went over this a couple times.
I tell them, Yes I do have a chance to earn some money at the event, I also have a pretty good chance to make ZERO money. THere is no guarantee, any moneys made go against the expense to get there and I claim my winnings on my personal income taxes.
If your truck and trailer are in a company or corporate name, you might have a little more problem on this as they know it is a tax deductible business.

I suggest you treat your towing like it is a commercial entity as far as preparation goes. Make sure you have MSDS sheet if you carry race gas or methanol. It is a simple form that lists the product's UN number and quantity you have in trailer. Safety chains crossed under hitch, breakaway battery connected correctly, etc, etc.

EVERY STATE is looking for more money and to think they will overlook the racers is dreaming. THe enforcement officers, at least most of them, understand what they have been told to do is plain wrong. If you are cooperative and ask what you can do to prevent it in the future I htink you will see them work with you rather than bother you.

I am leaving on a 15 state run promoting Trailer Toads at races so I guess we will see if they stop a 38' motor home, 2' Trailer Toad, 5' tongue and 26' stacker with commercial signage. I have everything ready, I will report back here on what if anything happens.

Great forum and excellent input, glad I signed up.

Jok Nicholson
Trailer Toad

09-27-2009, 09:37 PM	#11
Bernie Cunningham Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 560 Likes: 45 Liked 52 Times in 17 Posts	Re: overlength vehicle What I don't understand is they want you to tell them if you claim your race winnings on ya taxes, how can they know if you do or not! It's got nothing to do with them, are they gonna want to see your tax returns next???? I carry no 'TANGIBLE GOODS' in my trailer, nothing to be sold, ( through my other business I must report to the STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION to pay these taxes) so how do you need a commercial license? What's different from us and a guy going from job to job with a trailer that has lawn mowing equipment, framers tools, tiling stuff, roofing tools etc., we're all taking our tools to the job site !!!! I understand the weight thing or even the length thing, that should be the trigger. I took my 50' trailer and my dually to the DMV in CA. and they wasted 3 visits of mine (all with a different written test) to finally agree that all I needed was a non-commercial Class A licence. I took the driving test in my own equipment and they never checked the the GVWR on anything, the only requirement was that I remove the CONTESTANT stickers from the windshield. (she was a cute gal though!) Do ya think it's time for the the organizations and sanctioning body's take a stand, HECK YEA. It's probably more important now than ever and more than likely, easier to get an agreement from all states and feds. __________________ Bernie Cunningham 7053 STK

09-27-2009, 10:23 PM	#12
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	Re: overlength vehicle When are the racing organizations going to recognize it would be in their best interest to be pro active and help the contestants? It's just another thing that is making the car counts low. When are the states going to realize it is better to have us travel to or through their states and help the economy by buying fuel, food and supplies than stay home? If I get pinched &/or hasseled for no real reason by the man 2 things take palce. (1) I don't go back to that state and (2) any money spent on fines just limits the number of races I can attend. I wonder what the guys that are getting bigger and bigger fishing rigs are facing. Have any of you guys seen all the advertisement on the sides of those? The other day I saw a Prevost and a Stacker trailer with fishing ad decals all over it going down I-30. He was followed by another motor home with an open stacker. Boat on top and a compact pickup on the bottom. The pickup and boat were both dressed in decals. I assumed these were some Pro fishermen. __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS) Last edited by Adger Smith; 09-27-2009 at 10:24 PM. Reason: sp

09-28-2009, 06:30 AM	#13
Bruce Noland VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,855 Likes: 83 Liked 444 Times in 145 Posts	Re: overlength vehicle SEMA, does not lobby for the racers. The racers may get some indirect benefit from SEMA's efforts but that is about it. SEMA lobbies for the manufacturers of automotive products. nhra should be out there working for the racers but it appears the Pros are "all set." __________________ Bruce Noland 1788 STK

09-28-2009, 08:11 AM	#14
chevy620 Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 188 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: overlength vehicle Hey guys, I am afraid it isn't going to get better real soon. I manufacturer the Trailer Toad motor home hitch which allows the motor homes to tow heavy trailers without damaging the motor home itself and I get a lot of input from racers/customers on what they are seeing out there on the road. Here is what a lot of them do: Check the DOT websites for the states you travel through the most often. They might offer a low priced overlength permit and you can see what the rules are. Prepare yourself to be stopped. Be respectful, the guy is just doing what some pencil pusher in an office told him to do, and listen to what he says. Have a copy of the DOT Exemption 390 in your "log book" (yes, if I was you I would have one) and be ready to use it. Have all you lights working, extra fuses, fire extinguisher accessible from outside compartment, Pre-Trip inspection records, Liability Insurance Card, A copy of your NHRA/IHRA Physical or a DOT Physical form. Have all this in a notebook so you look organized and can answer his questions correctly. As for the "Do you race for money? Then you are a commercial entitiy" speel, I have went over this a couple times. I tell them, Yes I do have a chance to earn some money at the event, I also have a pretty good chance to make ZERO money. THere is no guarantee, any moneys made go against the expense to get there and I claim my winnings on my personal income taxes. If your truck and trailer are in a company or corporate name, you might have a little more problem on this as they know it is a tax deductible business. I suggest you treat your towing like it is a commercial entity as far as preparation goes. Make sure you have MSDS sheet if you carry race gas or methanol. It is a simple form that lists the product's UN number and quantity you have in trailer. Safety chains crossed under hitch, breakaway battery connected correctly, etc, etc. EVERY STATE is looking for more money and to think they will overlook the racers is dreaming. THe enforcement officers, at least most of them, understand what they have been told to do is plain wrong. If you are cooperative and ask what you can do to prevent it in the future I htink you will see them work with you rather than bother you. I am leaving on a 15 state run promoting Trailer Toads at races so I guess we will see if they stop a 38' motor home, 2' Trailer Toad, 5' tongue and 26' stacker with commercial signage. I have everything ready, I will report back here on what if anything happens. Great forum and excellent input, glad I signed up. Jok Nicholson Trailer Toad