Clear As Mud-Towing Legalities

[Ed Wright]

After one time with them, and they questioned everything about the race car, I quit claiming any of it's expenses for my business.

[Keith 944]

Ok, before I start this rant, I have a cdl class A.
Now we all see these Toter homes and stackers, most are longer than a tractor trailer, come on now, these guys should have a CDL ! I witnessed one in a ditch going into Darlington raceway a few years back. This guy just took the turn like he was in a pickup. This type of road equipment needs a lot of preventative maintenance, Air brakes also need to be checked and adjusted often. Without truck driving training, this is a scary thought, some jump from their Prius or smart car into this rig and on the road they go. I would love to be at the DMV just to watch the test. the first part is pre-trip, about an half hour long telling about what you would check and how things operate and function on your rig, next the skills test. I want to see these racers parallel park and straight line back. I am not saying they can't pass these test, but you should be able to identify potential problem areas and know how to handle a rig like that before you drive anywhere near me and my family on the freeway!
Common sense says the average racer in his pickup and trailer should be ok. these other rigs need to be held to a cdl standard, if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, than it should be called a duck. Properly weighed and inspected. I think the laws and police are just trying to find the right wording and proper application for the difference in this ever evolving group of tow rigs
On another note has anyone noticed Mike Coughlin's Rig? it no longer sports the Jeg's logos. I bet there is a good scales story there...

[Steve Calabro]

Delaware Motor Vehicle:
http://www.dmv.de.gov/services/drive...ThYd4YKQ.email

[Doug Blackley]

Originally Posted by sportsfan

Jim Powers is right, the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing! I do have a class A CDL so that is not the issue.My problem is registered weight.I was told by a NJ state trooper that the truck registration had to carry the combined weight (like a commercial vehicle). But when I went to my local DMV office I was told I can't do it that way.

States with OBD-II emissions testing won't allow you to register at a higher gvw than the oem certified it for if it was not already exempt from testing.

[Jeff Teuton]

It's bad enough. Don't make it worse. It is complicated and divided between state and federal and most officers are able to ticket you for both. Get to know the law as it applies to your equipment. Most officers don't get any education on your case, and most don't get much education on DOT, CDL, and Weights and Measures. The real basics are if you title your equipment as ABC Racing, you are subject to all of it. If you title your equipment in your personal name, your are exempt from most of it. That is the big deal. The exemption in 390.f.3 in the DOT manual (which I carry) covers your stuff in most cases. As far as the IRS, they are not a factor. If in your personal name, your are not covered by DOT and you are not required to carry your tax return with you;. DOT starts at 10,000 lbs, but 390.f.3 exempts you if in your name. Weights are state, and you could be overweight on one axle only. That you probably can't get out of. In most states Motor Homes have their own tag and no weight like a commercial tractor. CDL starts at 26000 lbs, but motor homes in most cases have no weight factor. I suggest if you have a pickup and trailer, have the tag to cover the actual weight of the truck and trailer. If it's in your name, that will cover most situations. Cheap. We have well over 1000 leased commercial vehicles and people who administer this stuff and go to the updates, meetings and things like that. I also have a close friend who is the safety director and DOT administrator for Steve Kent Services. They have 300 or 400 trucks and is on a federal advisory panel. He has the contacts and as of 30 days ago, this contact (after reading the article in ND) asked 'who wrote this stuff'. 390.f.3 is fully in effect and it's there for a reason; we are not the people the police need to monitor.

[Ed Wright]

I'm told mine is 3' too long for Texas. OK in Oklahoma. Do they measure that close? Or just eye ball it?

[Jeff Teuton]

Length (part of weights and measures) is a state issue. I don't think there is a length restrictions on the federal regs and interstate highways. I will find out. You could be legal in one state and not in another on that item, and that is what worries a lot of racers.

[Bobby Brannon]

Normally I don't comment but every parts of my racing is personal and I would challange any Officer to give me a ticket but I like most racers are way over length. That becomes the problem

[Ed Carpenter]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

I'm told mine is 3' too long for Texas. OK in Oklahoma. Do they measure that close? Or just eye ball it?

Ed I told you before Texas has reciprocal agreements with other states. Ok is 70' Texas is 65'. So your still legal in Texas.

[Tim Kish]

Originally Posted by Keith 944

On another note has anyone noticed Mike Coughlin's Rig? it no longer sports the Jeg's logos. I bet there is a good scales story there...

One of the Jegs rigs got stopped on the way to an IHRA event at Martin a few years back, Toter/stacker with full Jegs signage - driver did NOT have CDL, trailer was impounded until a licensed driver could come get it. Some other racers came with a pickup/trailer and got the race cars from impound to the track. Haven't seen signage on any of there rigs since then.