FYI over weight can cost you

[Phil P]

Hello All

Lane hogging

When I was driving 18 wheelers I kept telling the drivers that if they kept hogging the lanes on the 2 or 3 lane divided highways they would have lane restrictions.

They all laughed at me.

Now we all have lane restrictions and no one is laughing.

Wheel Bearings

I have posted her about wheel bearing problems and received the same treatment some even said I was lying.

So I posted pictures of the problem. Now no has commented on them.

Overloaded TV

I have posted about the coming problems that would happen if we kept overloading our Tow Vehicles.

Everyone laughed at me.

Well now you have it!!!!

Starting the last week in June of this year the Florida Highway Patrol started weighing pickup trucks that appeared to be overloaded.

The following information came from a company that test scales for accuracy.

The FHP would pull over a pickup that looked overloaded. Dispatch would run the VIN and provide the officer with the manufacturers weight ratings.

If the pickup was less than 10 percent or less over weight they issued a ticked. If greater than 10 percent they required the trailer to be towed buy a wrecker service.

The ones that got cute and called a friend with a bigger truck resulted in the friend being request to produce their DOT documents as a commercial vehicle.

Now no one is laughing

Phil

[K0LCB]

Wow! I say wow!

[mlh]

Phil have they pulled any RVs over.
We have a weight police that will pull over pickup trucks that are overweight but none will pull over an RV.
Lynwood

[mtlakejim]

Well there ya go. Now how does that 1 ton dually look to everyone?

[mhs4771]

We've put a few thousand miles on in the past few weeks, and I can't begin to tell you how may Big Montana's, Big Horns, Solitudes and Big Toy Haulers we've seen behind 250/2500 Series TVs. Many of them passing us while we're generally under the speed limit cruising at 65.

[MidMOTraveler]

Really noticing the big toy haulers since we got to the Dakota’s !
Your 100% right about the 3/4 ton trucks and speed. I know we’re in areas with 80 mph limits but WOW!
I’m sticking to 65 they can just pass.

[Last2Die]

Cool, I was just in Florida during the firecracker 400 in Daytona beach. Police and FHP all over the area. Guess I’m good.

[DQDick]

I have always wondered when they would get around to that. Now they need to start inspecting run down class A's for brakes etc.

[jcurtis934]

I think it would great if florida started to do safety/smog tests as I see way too many vehicles here that smoke to "heaven", vehicles minus lots of parts, etc. Of course, I could be in the minority for such things here. Such is life.

[Theunz]

Originally Posted by mtlakejim

Well there ya go. Now how does that 1 ton dually look to everyone?

Same as always...ugly if you don't need it, beautiful if you do.

[Daryles]

Dam. That's not funny.
However, today I saw an F150 pulling a Montana down Rt 60 in S. Mo. The truck looked tiny under the Montana. No one is going to believe me. I should have taken a picture.

[CaptnJohn]

I for one am happy to hear that. I hope the rest of the states follow soon. Not just the trucks pulling RVs but the SUVs pulling trailers and how about all those pulling other trailers?

[beeje]

We were in the myrtle beach area a month ago. Camping a few sites down from us was an older (01-04 ?) Montana that was being towed with an older (2000-2003 ?) chevy 1500 gas truck.

You just cant fix stupid!!!!

[1retired06]

Originally Posted by Daryles

Dam. That's not funny.
However, today I saw an F150 pulling a Montana down Rt 60 in S. Mo. The truck looked tiny under the Montana. No one is going to believe me. I should have taken a picture.

I believe you. Down in Florida, during the snowbird season, we often see half ton pickups pulling good sized fivers. Last year spotted a Ford Ranger pulling a 20-22 foot tagalong.

[Mtncrash1]

How long will it be before a cdl is required? Let’s face it folks there are many out there that have never pulled a trailer or driven a big class a. All of our rigs fall under the requirements for needing a cdl. If they do that they should also make us all compliant with the requirements of a cdl. Including the physical requirements, hours of service and, blood alcohol levels. How many have pulled your rig 10-12 hours or more at a time? How many could pass a cdl physical? How many have stopped for a meal somewhere and had a drink or two? I’m sure this isn’t a popular opinion but, the truth is these rigs are ever bit as dangerous as the commercial vehicles going down the road and in some cases more so.

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by Mtncrash1

How long will it be before a cdl is required? Let’s face it folks there are many out there that have never pulled a trailer or driven a big class a. All of our rigs fall under the requirements for needing a cdl. If they do that they should also make us all compliant with the requirements of a cdl. Including the physical requirements, hours of service and, blood alcohol levels. How many have pulled your rig 10-12 hours or more at a time? How many could pass a cdl physical? How many have stopped for a meal somewhere and had a drink or two? I’m sure this isn’t a popular opinion but, the truth is these rigs are ever bit as dangerous as the commercial vehicles going down the road and in some cases more so.

I suppose you are correct and I guess we should be careful what we wish for. Having the government step in to enforce what I might think is right could lead to government overreach which I am decidedly against!!!

I started my oilfield career on large bobtail trucks hauling hazardous chemicals which of course was CDL Hazmat. I drive like a trucker when towing and certainly have my own ideas (often stated with a passion) about what everyone SHOULD be towing with. But on the other hand, I hated that the government had so many requirements (many that made no sense at all) then and I don't think I would care for what they would likely do related to RV license requirements if they got heavy handed.

[Mtncrash1]

I agree with the oversight. However I also don’t like knowing I’m sharing the road with someone who just bought a big class a and, has never driven anything bigger than a small suv or, something with air brakes. I also don’t like sharing the road with that person who went out and bought themselves a 3/4 or 1 ton ( dually or SRW) and a big 5er having never pulled a trailer of any kind.
Then there’s those who like giving the “ your truck will pull it “ advice. Many times to someone with little to no experience. ( that can probably be said of some who give that advice). I’m in no way the weight police. My personal tv is a 3/4 ton.( for now). After researching I’ve made modifications to said truck to bring it within weight limits. No not factory certified but, still able to haul safely.

[mlh]

I guess I’m in the minority again, still. I don’t see where people pulling a camper or driving a large MH are having any problems. So I don’t see how some more laws would solve problems that don’t exist. Maybe our governments should just leave us alone. I remember a Va senator who always said ‘ every time we pass a law we infringe on someone’s rights’. I agree!
Lynwood

[Theunz]

As one who drove semi's for nearly 40 years I'll be the first to say yes to an enhanced drivers license. For years I've said the scariest thing on the road was a just retired man driving a brand new large RV. But a CDL for RV'rs...No WAY! That comes with way to many unnecessary restrictions and expenses for a RV driver. For instance, a DOT physical every two years unless you have high blood pressure which requires once a year. Not to mention if you have a stent it's once a year, and then every two years you need a stress test. After five years it goes to a stress test every year, and if you, like Me and many others are on certain maintenance meds, a simple treadmill test is not possible, so you need a nuclear stress test which costs over $6,000! I'm not sure about weather an electronic log is required for just one truck yet, but if so than there goes a lot more of your money. Add in drug and alcohol testing, and the fact that just 2 or 3 traffic tickets can get your CDL suspended and you have eliminated a large portion of drivers. The freight company I drove for said that out of every 25 or 30 job applicants only two or three were qualified to drive. So, while no to a CDL, I would be in favor of at least a four hour or so of classroom training followed by a short driving test in the type of vechicle being licensed for which would include backing into a parking spot perpendicular to your direction of travel. As mtncrash1 said, these vechicles are every bit as dangerous as a semi.

[Daryles]

A backing up test????
That's it, I'm finished.