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Facebook man pulled and fined for length


GlennWest

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4 hours ago, Big5er said:

I've been seeing a lot more over length RV's recently. I stopped a Freightliner MDT pulling a fifthwheel the other day. Total length was 81ft and the driver only had a Class C Texas drivers license. He tried every story he could imagine to explain why he didn't need a Class A DL and to explain how he could pull a trailer that long. 

I have lurked around some of those facebook HDT pages too and there seem to be a lot of RVers that just don't care. "The cops won't stop me". That attitude is gonna bite us all in the ass eventually.

Phil,

The problem might be that the guy that you “thought” was 81’ had actually constructed his rig using common core math.  If that was the case, it would put him at about 61’ and at 15,000 pounds all in, so he would be good to go.

And what if he had called the highway patrol and talked with a janitor who told him he was good to go?

John

Southern Nevada

2008 Volvo 780, D13, I-Shift

2017 Keystone Fuzion 420 Toyhauler 

2017 Can-Am Maverick X3-RS

 

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18 minutes ago, VegasFlyer said:

And what if he had called the highway patrol and talked with a janitor who told him he was good to go?

I hope he kept the janitors number. Maybe he can get him to help pay the fine. :P

MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.
~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~

2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission
singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin
2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 

2014 smart Fortwo

 

 
 
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Big5er   I know why you being from Texas are a Fan! of Dr Pepper. We visited the Dr Pepper plant in Waco Texas where it all started. My sister-in-law knew all about it(she is also a fan of DP) and now I do too Because when we came thru Waco we had to check it out. Also visited the Fixer Upper. Had a great visit and we didn't get stopped because we were 67'. But we were obeying the laws and had DP in case we met a thirsty Policeman. So you always be safe and if you get out our way(VA) let us know. I show you the largest Naval Base in the world!   Pat

 

 

The Old Sailor

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Pat, you were that close and didn't say "hi"? 

Glad you managed to get the tour in Waco. Its really the only tour worth doing LOL.  I will yell at y'all when I get to Virginia. I'd love to see that Naval base.

Phil

MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.
~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~

2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission
singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin
2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 

2014 smart Fortwo

 

 
 
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Phil, when you measure a vehicle for over all length, as an enforcement officer, what is your procedure and equipment that you use?

I would like to replicate the "approved" method and see what I get.

Av8r3400
2012 Volvo VNL 730 D13 iShift & 2021 Grand Design Momentum 397TH

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I'd rather die trying to live - Than live trying not to die.   -Leonard Perry

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Phil, I have 2 questions. Hope you don't mind answering. If someone is over length What do you do?

Make them unhook and call a tow truck or What? And what amount of fine are we talking about?

When I rebuild my bed and put the JK on the back I'll be 68'+.

Thanks.

 

 

 

 

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4 hours ago, Av8r3400 said:

Phil, when you measure a vehicle for over all length, as an enforcement officer, what is your procedure and equipment that you use?

I would like to replicate the "approved" method and see what I get.

I use a rolling tape measure...and round down and use only the feet, no inches. What others do I can't really say.

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3 hours ago, WLee said:

Phil, I have 2 questions. Hope you don't mind answering. If someone is over length What do you do?

Make them unhook and call a tow truck or What? And what amount of fine are we talking about?

When I rebuild my bed and put the JK on the back I'll be 68'+.

Thanks.

The fines are set by the individual JP Court and there are 16 of them in my county (County is the size of the State of Rhode Island). State law says max fine is $500. 
In Texas, for a non commercial vehicle, there is no actual authority to "make" them unhook or park or anything else. Now, having said that, if they hit the road its another violation. How long do you want to wait? Something that big, I would escort them to a safe place (not leaving them on the side of the road) and tell them to "fix it before they leave". How is up to them. 
And yes, it has been known for a cop to sit and wait a bit just to see what happens. 

1 hour ago, GlennWest said:

Guy on Facebook had to have a police escort home.

"Had" to have a police escort? At whose expense, Glenn?? I can find a smaller truck, or a commercial truck and driver cheaper, than I can pay an escort. Enterprise will rent me an F450....with a hitch. 

MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.
~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~

2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission
singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin
2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 

2014 smart Fortwo

 

 
 
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Thanks for the information. I'll be able to shorten to 65' but would have to unload the JK.

My only issue is DW usually Flys to meet me in the area we plan on seeing. She hates the drive.

So the jeep would be parked till I could return and pu. If I were to get DOT #s on the truck would that help ?

Another can of worms but I would rather be legal if theres a way.

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Howdy All,

I would have to sell the trailer, I am 68 feet with the Freightliner which is singled mid, and now 71 feet 9 inches with the Peterbilt which is still tandem.  When the trailer is almost 45 feet long and the pin is behind the axle its darn hard to come in under 65 feet.

Dave

2001 Peterbilt, 379, Known As "Semi-Sane II", towing a 2014 Voltage 3818, 45 foot long toy hauler crammed full of motorcycles of all types.  Visit my photo web site where you will find thousands of photos of my motorcycle wanderings and other aspects of my life, click this link. http://mr-cob.smugmug.com/

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1 hour ago, GeorgiaHybrid said:

Phil, are you able to move if you can get a CDL licensed driver to take over?

I will answer for my distinguished colleague, in the same fashion he would, NO!    Lol

If it is a non-commercial Truck, simply waving a CDL at it won’t get you anywhere.  If the same configuration of truck that was  morphed into being commercial, would solve the problem, it would take a whole bunch more than a CDL.

One thing to think about, a lot of states do offer overlength permits for non commercial vehicles.  While I have no idea about Texas, that is a possibility worth researching.  However, keep in mind that a special permit issued by one state will probably NOT be honored by other states.

 

John

Southern Nevada

2008 Volvo 780, D13, I-Shift

2017 Keystone Fuzion 420 Toyhauler 

2017 Can-Am Maverick X3-RS

 

ALAKAZARCACODEFLGAHIIDILINIAKSKYLAMAMNMS
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8 minutes ago, VegasFlyer said:

 However, keep in mind that a special permit issued by one state will probably NOT be honored by other states.

 

No probably involved. Overdimension permits are state by state, and can get down to town by town as you get off highways and on to local roads.

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Howdy All,

I think we can all agree that the letter of the law IS the law, and if it were to be indiscriminately and universally fully applied, MANY of us would be in serious trouble.  That said if such were to happen and the road sides were littered with RV's that were over loaded, over lenght, had bald tires, inoperative brakes, inadequate mirrors and an unending list of things that many could be pulled over for the RV industry would suffer as a whole.  That the RV industry can continue to build and sell units that are clearly to large for most of the regular and commonly used tow vehicles speaks to the amount of MONEY that passes between the RV industry and the politicians whose task it is to regulate it.  I have written before I will count on dumb luck and common sense to continue to enjoy my rig, IF some major accidents should bring our types of tow vehicles into the national news spotlight all bets are off and our trucks no matter how much will have put into them will become instantly worthless as no one will insure them.

Dave

2001 Peterbilt, 379, Known As "Semi-Sane II", towing a 2014 Voltage 3818, 45 foot long toy hauler crammed full of motorcycles of all types.  Visit my photo web site where you will find thousands of photos of my motorcycle wanderings and other aspects of my life, click this link. http://mr-cob.smugmug.com/

IMG_4282-600x310.jpg

 

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I think if we are safe, we will be fine. But I have been fooled too. The language of the Leo's on here give me pause though. If I ever get pulled and sited, I will change trucks. Only choice I will have. In hindsight, I should have got a shorter truck, like a 420 Volvo or little longer and registered as private truck. I would be legal and could use that as a commute truck. My length prevents me now

 

 

 

 

2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1

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David,

 

Not Phil, how would a CDL make ANY difference in the violation ?      The idea that commercial exclusions apply to private vehicles is not realistic.     Trucks that are plated for commercial use have lots of hoops to jump through and fees to pay.     Getting a DOT number is the cheapest part of trucking, drug testing, quarterly reports AND, insurance are not what most campers want to worry about.    

 

Say you do get your numbers and you are tolling down the highway, you get lit up and pull over, it inspection time.    Let's see the e-log, then you are also subject to a few new rules like no booze unless it is manifest.    Search your truck AND trailer.   Even if you get a gold star and sticker you just lost a hour of your life.     

 

The easy answer is stay within the law and not worry about what if's.     The idea that the RV industry is going to make sure your legal is a laugh, how many folks are sold RV's that are too big in general?      A 45' toy hauler towed by a crew cab pick up is legal, remember, you have to have greater than 20' from the bumper to pin to exceed 65'.     A crew cab with the hitch over the back axle is about 16-18' long.    

 

I am not sure a 67' long rig would even get noticed, a 70+ rig is visually easier to question IMHO.      Can you buy over length permits as a personal RV?    If so that would be the thing to do, you can buy annual permits for commercial vehicles.    

 

Steve    

2005 Peterbilt 387-112 Baby Cat 9 speed U-shift

1996/2016 remod Teton Royal Atlanta

1996 Kentucky 48 single drop stacker garage project

 catdiesellogo.jpg.e96e571c41096ef39b447f78b9c2027c.jpg Pulls like a train, sounds like a plane....faster than a Cheetah sniffin cocaine.   

 

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It all comes down to the fact that if you want the big trailer and the long truck to carry all the toys, then you have to take your chances.  Everyone knew going into this ownership and way of towing that they would most likely be overlength.  Some are in the 65-70 foot, some are longer.  There will be a time when someone gets stupid and attracts attention to themselves and the rest of the HDT-RV world.

Alie & Jim + 8 paws

2017 DRV Memphis 

BART- 1998 Volvo 610

Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins

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As Moresmoke indicated oversize permits are very specific to area and even certain roads in an area.  A state permit is often only good for state roads but a separate permit is necessary for local county roads and yet another permit is required for city roads.  Just figuring which permits are required is difficult.  Some cities have state, county and city roads within their boundries and each may require a permit.

Randy

2001 Volvo VNL 42 Cummins ISX Autoshift

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I went back to the posts trying to find where all this took place. So I see it's Rob O'brien that this happened to. I see in some of the comments where he was building his pin box where he talks about getting the ticket, but never saw it mentioned as stated above that he may have been double towing to make him stand out? Interesting enough his trailer is an older one and doesn't look that long (maybe 35'), but he's pulling with an old long nose freightliner with a golf cart at the back and his truck is pretty long, plus the hitch is mounted pretty far back on the truck. In fact the 4" he talks about is the rear of the truck hitting the front lower section of the 5th wheel in a turn. He's no where near the back of cab or even the golf cart for that matter. I might see if I can post a pic or two of his truck here. 

Dan (Class of 2017) - 2012 Ram 3500 & 2005 Alpenlite Valhalla 29RK
Contact me at rvsolarconsulting.com or Two Wheel Ramblin

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A state permit for an individual (or anyone else without a DOT number) requires a $10,000 bond, in Texas. I have no idea what that costs but I bet it would make that vacation trip quite expensive. 

MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.
~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~

2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission
singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin
2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 

2014 smart Fortwo

 

 
 
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3 minutes ago, Alie&Jim's Carrilite said:

It all comes down to the fact that if you want the big trailer and the long truck to carry all the toys, then you have to take your chances.  Everyone knew going into this ownership and way of towing that they would most likely be overlength.  Some are in the 65-70 foot, some are longer.  There will be a time when someone gets stupid and attracts attention to themselves and the rest of the HDT-RV world.

Howdy Jim,

And this ^^^^^, is what concerns me. 

I can't speak for Phil and others who have his job but unless someone is BLATANTLY flaunting the rules and is engaging in some sort of activity that draws attention to themselves I think they the LEO's have bigger fish to fry then the small but growing number of us who tow huge trailers with our HDT's. 

This is one of the problems I have when going through California, that 55 mph speed limit for ANY vehicle that is towing and they DO keep an eye out for trucks drives me nuts.  The only way I can stand driving through there is to fall in with a group of trucks, set the cruise control to where I am just another duck in the row until I cross a border.

If a person is speeding, is over lenght, over weight, and in general not aware they are asking for trouble and chances are it will find them.

Dave

2001 Peterbilt, 379, Known As "Semi-Sane II", towing a 2014 Voltage 3818, 45 foot long toy hauler crammed full of motorcycles of all types.  Visit my photo web site where you will find thousands of photos of my motorcycle wanderings and other aspects of my life, click this link. http://mr-cob.smugmug.com/

IMG_4282-600x310.jpg

 

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