has anyone encountered this problem with law enforcement

[txmilam]

was talking with a tx dps officer about using my truck as mh he said your only trouble i might have is cities and counties are getting certified to do dot inspections and may not know the rules and may not contact dps for guidance any thoughts...... big 5er....

[Jack Mayer]

This is why we carry copies of our domicile state laws concerning MH status. Registration and licensing is reciprocal so given that you can show your legality in your home state, that should be sufficient. Now, a LEO may still write you a ticket, but asking for a supervisor in that case would likely mitigate that - IF you have the research handy and it is clearly stated.  

[Big5er]

6 hours ago, Jack Mayer said:

This is why we carry copies of our domicile state laws concerning MH status. Registration and licensing is reciprocal so given that you can show your legality in your home state, that should be sufficient. Now, a LEO may still write you a ticket, but asking for a supervisor in that case would likely mitigate that - IF you have the research handy and it is clearly stated.  

What he said.  ^^^^^^^
And they are less likely to have questions if you are registered as a MH than as a Truck. They will have more questions about you driving a 52,000 lb truck without a CDL than a motorhome.

[rickeieio]

And I'll repeat, thank you Phil for suggesting we put together a binder with registration, insurance and copies of applicable home state laws, all in clear sleeves with pertinent points highlighted.  I had a Texas SHP thank me for making his job easy, as he handed me two warning tickets.

[Twotoes]

Do cities and counties have jurisdiction on this matter or is it only state agencies that can enforce state vehicle laws. I know that local law enforcement can give you a speeding ticket but State law gives local municipalities the ability to determine and set local speed laws but not equipment violations. 

[Big5er]

I think you are confusing two separate issues. Cities and Counties can write you a citation for the wrong type of drivers license or anything else they find you in violation of. BUT you specifically asked about "dot inspections". We are exempt from "dot inspections" so I'm not really sure what you are asking about, but yes certain cities and counties, in Texas, are authorized by law to conduct dot inspections and issue citations for violating the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

[Sehc]

The main problem I find is the weight and size restrictions local to a municipality.

[Big5er]

7 hours ago, Sehc said:

The main problem I find is the weight and size restrictions local to a municipality.

Such as?? I'm not sure I follow. If a tractor and trailer can deliver products there then we can go there. I'm not sure I want to drive down a road where they can't go. There must be a reason. Cities rarely limit size and weight just for the hell of it. 
Just like people question whether we can fit into smallish gas stations. Somebody in a tractor/trailer delivered their fuel. I may choose not to get into the smaller stations but obviously it can be done. 

[Moresmoke]

3 hours ago, Big5er said:

Such as?? I'm not sure I follow. If a tractor and trailer can deliver products there then we can go there. I'm not sure I want to drive down a road where they can't go. There must be a reason. Cities rarely limit size and weight just for the hell of it. 
Just like people question whether we can fit into smallish gas stations. Somebody in a tractor/trailer delivered their fuel. I may choose not to get into the smaller stations but obviously it can be done. 

Some areas, the local municipalities like to restrict trucks from city streets. They argue it is for the sake of the roads, but usually it’s because they don’t want to see trucks. One of the towns near me, there is one gas station in town, with a truck diesel island. Technically you can’t fuel there as it is not on a truck route, and all the streets are posted no trucks?

As to the OPs question, my county is pondering having a Deputy Sheriff for truck enforcement. The area commercial enforcement Trooper from the State Highway Patrol is retiring, and the state doesn’t plan on replacing him. So I would say it is quite possible that towns and counties can enforce most all the laws, depending where you are.

[Big5er]

All the more reason to register your HDT as a motorhome. 😁

[FL-JOE]

On 7/20/2019 at 5:54 AM, txmilam said:

was talking with a tx dps officer about using my truck as mh he said your only trouble i might have is cities and counties are getting certified to do dot inspections and may not know the rules and may not contact dps for guidance any thoughts...... big 5er....

Where I came from only the State Police were certified/trained to enforce the commercial carrier regs (DOT).  Locals could seek the training and certification but few ever did.

Then back in the 90's the number of troopers started going down and some local city and county began training a handful of officers to be dedicated motor carrier enforcement officers.  

As has already been stated, if your truck is being used as a MH then make sure it is registered as such.  Having a clear indication on the side like "Not For Hire" is a good idea also.  

[Big5er]

2 hours ago, FL-JOE said:

As has already been stated, if your truck is being used as a MH then make sure it is registered as such.  Having a clear indication on the side like "Not For Hire" is a good idea also.  

The "Not For Hire" issue has been batted around this forum ad nauseum. It is all personal preference since it really means nothing. I personally think the signs look crappy, others think they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. 

Pepsi-Co is the largest private commercial motor carrier in the U.S. Last years stats show they have 11,000 tractors, 3500 trucks, 20,600 pickups and vans, along with 17,500 trailers and they are all "not for hire". They still need a USDOT number, and must follow all the other Fed Regs and their drivers need CDL's.  So what does "Not For Hire" on the side of the truck mean? For them, not much. They could put "Not for Hire" on all their tractors. It simply means they are "not for hire", they haul only their own product and do not haul anyone else's property, but it doesn't mean they are not commercial. For you, nothing really. It indicates that you think it means you don't need markings and a dot number on your truck. But it won't necessarily keep you from getting stopped. I know of at least two people on here that haul their own RV and commercially also. Do you think they have DOT numbers or "not for hire" on the sides of their trucks? 

Just be prepared to explain what you are doing and why you are doing it the way you are. If you are doing it correctly, and confident in your answers, you'll be ok with or without the lettering. Like I said, it's whatever makes you feel good. 

[Sehc]

Weight restriction on a county bridge. The RV claimed he was not commercial. He paid the same fine as a long distance trucker or a UPS . Plus was liable for the damage.

[rickeieio]

Ahhh, bridges.   In a little town hear here, where many of you have been, (Aurora, IN, on the way to Little Farm), there's an old steel bridge with a 6 ton weight limit.  The state certified it for all legal loads, but the town doesn't want truck traffic to/from the river terminal going through that area.

Before the restrictions, I took a combine w/ header trailer through there.  16.5' wide and over 60' long.  Police weren't happy......

[Big5er]

6 hours ago, Sehc said:

Weight restriction on a county bridge. The RV claimed he was not commercial. He paid the same fine as a long distance trucker or a UPS . Plus was liable for the damage.

Damage?? 

They rated that bridge at whatever weight for a reason. Unfortunately the signs don't say "Weight Limit only applies to Commercial Vehicles". I know we had a pair of bridges here that the county re-rated after the State told them to lower the allowed weight, rebuild the bridge or close it. If they were empty a 5 axle tractor and trailer could legally make it, loaded there was no way. The same for 3 axle dump trucks. The county posted signs with bright orange flags way before the bridge and also at the last place to turn before the bridge. After 2 weeks they called my partner and I. It was like shooting fish in a barrel. Trucks don't much use those bridges no more. They decided that the other road was better.

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

On 7/20/2019 at 6:48 PM, rickeieio said:

And I'll repeat, thank you Phil for suggesting we put together a binder with registration, insurance and copies of applicable home state laws, all in clear sleeves with pertinent points highlighted.  I had a Texas SHP thank me for making his job easy, as he handed me two warning tickets.

Same as the North Dakota Patrolman that said he had learned something that day....

 

[RickW]

Trucker takes 43 ton truck over 14 ton bridge, with expected results

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

1 hour ago, Big5er said:

Damage?? 

They rated that bridge at whatever weight for a reason. Unfortunately the signs don't say "Weight Limit only applies to Commercial Vehicles". I know we had a pair of bridges here that the county re-rated after the State told them to lower the allowed weight, rebuild the bridge or close it. If they were empty a 5 axle tractor and trailer could legally make it, loaded there was no way. The same for 3 axle dump trucks. The county posted signs with bright orange flags way before the bridge and also at the last place to turn before the bridge. After 2 weeks they called my partner and I. It was like shooting fish in a barrel. Trucks don't much use those bridges no more. They decided that the other road was better.

There are a lot of bridges in Mississippi that say 18T or 30T max load etc.... There is an Indian Casino near Laurel Mississippi that every road has a bridge with a limited weight.... So how did they build the Casino?

 

[Big5er]

17 minutes ago, RickW said:

 

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

 

I wasn't questioning being charged for damages, I'm just trying to grasp driving your RV on a road where your 35,000lb truck/trailer could CAUSE damage. I've been on some dinky little roads before, but nothing that bad. Obviously I don't travel the back roads like some people do. 

[ARGO]

Remember, that is the load ON the bridge at any given time. If it is a short bridge or culvert, you may be OK depending on how far apart your axles are.

[Pappy Yokum]

1 hour ago, Alie&Jim's Carrilite said:

There are a lot of bridges in Mississippi that say 18T or 30T max load etc.... There is an Indian Casino near Laurel Mississippi that every road has a bridge with a limited weight....

So how did they build the Casino?

 

 

Waver - permit to use the bridges (no doubt with stipulations in the event of damage).

The casino would/will  bring in $$ to the surrounding area - as well as to the casino itself.

*Revenue*  talks - loads can.......walk ??,  ROTFL

.

 

 

[dblr]

20 hours ago, rickeieio said:

Ahhh, bridges.   In a little town hear here, where many of you have been, (Aurora, IN, on the way to Little Farm), there's an old steel bridge with a 6 ton weight limit.  The state certified it for all legal loads, but the town doesn't want truck traffic to/from the river terminal going through that area.

Before the restrictions, I took a combine w/ header trailer through there.  16.5' wide and over 60' long.  Police weren't happy......

I know exactly what bridge you are talking about in fact I had to turn around because of it, the 1st weight sign was at the stop sign right before the bridge I was glad I saw it so I just pulled over towards the barber shop and was able to turn around in the mill across the street after calling my friends for the way around it. I guess they don't put the warning back at the light because of all the trucks heading to the mill.