FYI over weight can cost you

[BB_TX]

Originally Posted by JandC

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

That is really nothing new my friend. We used to pull over unsafe looking PU trucks all the time back in the 80's and 90's. You know, the ones going down the interstate loaded with aggregate or whatever with their bumpers 2" off the pavement. We would escort them to the nearest scale and usually write them for overweight on registration plus an unsafe equipment citation. They were not allowed to continue until made safe.[/QUOTE]


Apparently there is no significant change in Florida enforcement policy, at least for RVers. I can find no conversations on any other RV sites regarding this. And you would expect it to light up RV forums if it was a problem.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by BB_TX

That is really nothing new my friend. We used to pull over unsafe looking PU trucks all the time back in the 80's and 90's. You know, the ones going down the interstate loaded with aggregate or whatever with their bumpers 2" off the pavement. We would escort them to the nearest scale and usually write them for overweight on registration plus an unsafe equipment citation. They were not allowed to continue until made safe.

Apparently there is no significant change in Florida enforcement policy, at least for RVers. I can find no conversations on any other RV sites regarding this. And you would expect it to light up RV forums if it was a problem.[/QUOTE]

Same in PA. A neighbor and I went and cut firewood. I had a 3/4 GMC and he a half ton Chevy. I was more heavily loaded but a trooper pulled him over. He gave the neighbor a choice, move the truck even 1 foot and get a ticket or unload 1/2 on the spot. That was in the early 90s.

[Phil P]

Hi

Here is what has changed in Florida.

Florida Highway Patrol did away with the DOT inspectors that specialized in Commercial Vehicles.

Now all FHP troopers have been thru the training course and are qualified to do what the DOT enforcement officers did.

Now on top of that a large number of the Sheriff departments have sent some of their officers thru the training and they are now stopping Commercial Vehicles as well.

Some departments other than the FHP now have portable scales.

Last but not least the old “RV is exempt” is not in the rules, regulations and laws. It is in the difination of “personal use vehicle” and this is very restrictive and doesn’t reference RV’s.

They are now requiring proof of purchase or long term lease when the trailer tag and truck tag are not to the same person.

I have had 2 friends ask me to move their fifth wheel RV for them. One was financed and I refused. The other had a clear title and signed that over to me and I moved their trailer then gave then the title back. That does 2 things it lets me tow under the “personal Use” regulation and puts the trailer under my insurance. I was not stopped or question on that trip.

However the first one had someone else move the trailer. They were pulled over by a sheriff and the cost was $800 before it was over. As is noted by the posters here that is just “luck” and you would probably not have a problem pulling some3one else trailer as long as it looked like an RV.

Last but not least the GVW ratings on the light duty trucks that is all trucks smaller that a 4500 or 450 have been increased. The last time I checked the dual wheel 350 and 3500 light duty diesel trucks are rated at 30,500 LBS GCW. This is a regulatory weight that when exceeded leaves the operator responsible for the overweight.

The HD on the side of a 350 or 3500 does not put it in a medium category truck. That is an advertising gimmick.

Phil P


PS: My Florida Class A CDL has a Triple trailer endorsement.

[Phil P]

Hi

On a slightly different subject I did teach a fellow how to backup his rig just couple of weeks ago.

In one hour I had him backing up using his mirrors only in straight line at 10 mph.

The 3 important items anyone backing a vehicle needs to know is.

First Use you mirrors by griping the bottom of the steering wheel you “push” the back of the trailer in the direction you want it to go looking in your mirrors with your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel.

Second never move the vehicle when using someone to direct you unless you can see that person in one of your mirrors.

Third use only one spotter to help you park. If a second or third wants to help politely advise them not to help.

Phil P

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by Phil P

Hi

On a slightly different subject I did teach a fellow how to backup his rig just couple of weeks ago.

In one hour I had him backing up using his mirrors only in straight line at 10 mph.

The 3 important items anyone backing a vehicle needs to know is.

First Use you mirrors by griping the bottom of the steering wheel you “push” the back of the trailer in the direction you want it to go looking in your mirrors with your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel.

Second never move the vehicle when using someone to direct you unless you can see that person in one of your mirrors.

Third use only one spotter to help you park. If a second or third wants to help politely advise them not to help.

Phil P

I hope we meet one day soon. 😊

[waynemoore]

Phil P, yep that’s how it is done.

[prndl]

CHP set up portable scales down in Brawley, CA and was citing for overweight and pin weight over limit on truck. Drivers had to unhook and leave the trailers there and get a towing company to move the trailers. Cited and held over 30 units at the time. Nanny State.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by prndl

CHP set up portable scales down in Brawley, CA and was citing for overweight and pin weight over limit on truck. Drivers had to unhook and leave the trailers there and get a towing company to move the trailers. Cited and held over 30 units at the time. Nanny State.

I left CA about 50 years ago and did not lose anything so see no reason to freturn, EVER. BUT I'm not sure this is a bad idea. CA probably did it to add to state coffers but it may even prevent accidents.

[mlh]

I see why Va was selected by Forbes as being the best state in the union to do business, again!
Lynwood

[Last2Die]

Hmm....been towing in Ca for 30 years and never ever seen portable scales. CHP everywhere I live with several weight stations. Interesting may need to google this and see if there’s info on this.

[wade]

Originally Posted by Phil P

Hi

Here is what has changed in Florida.

Florida Highway Patrol did away with the DOT inspectors that specialized in Commercial Vehicles.

Now all FHP troopers have been thru the training course and are qualified to do what the DOT enforcement officers did.

Now on top of that a large number of the Sheriff departments have sent some of their officers thru the training and they are now stopping Commercial Vehicles as well.

Some departments other than the FHP now have portable scales.

Last but not least the old “RV is exempt” is not in the rules, regulations and laws. It is in the difination of “personal use vehicle” and this is very restrictive and doesn’t reference RV’s.

They are now requiring proof of purchase or long term lease when the trailer tag and truck tag are not to the same person.

I have had 2 friends ask me to move their fifth wheel RV for them. One was financed and I refused. The other had a clear title and signed that over to me and I moved their trailer then gave then the title back. That does 2 things it lets me tow under the “personal Use” regulation and puts the trailer under my insurance. I was not stopped or question on that trip.

However the first one had someone else move the trailer. They were pulled over by a sheriff and the cost was $800 before it was over. As is noted by the posters here that is just “luck” and you would probably not have a problem pulling some3one else trailer as long as it looked like an RV.

Last but not least the GVW ratings on the light duty trucks that is all trucks smaller that a 4500 or 450 have been increased. The last time I checked the dual wheel 350 and 3500 light duty diesel trucks are rated at 30,500 LBS GCW. This is a regulatory weight that when exceeded leaves the operator responsible for the overweight.

The HD on the side of a 350 or 3500 does not put it in a medium category truck. That is an advertising gimmick.

Phil P


PS: My Florida Class A CDL has a Triple trailer endorsement.

They get to restrictive you want get anyone to haul freight into that state, or better why would you want to have a CDL, and they wonder why theirs a driver shortage. I been a Heavy Hauler truck driver for 33 years

[Theunz]

Hauling freight is very competive. It seems there is always someone or some company willing to haul freight for a loss

[Richard Blackwell]

Something I'm doing for my own peace of mind is using a local, registered truck scale facility to "log" weights on my truck axles and 5vr axles just before any of our "roadtrips". I'm keeping a printed copy of the scale results in the center console along with a back-up copy in my "important papers" file inside the 5vr. Incidentally, our TV is a 2014 F350 DRW diesel, pulling a 2013 3402RL. When fully loaded for our trips, with about a half full fresh water tank on the trailer and a full fuel tank on the truck, I usually get around (truck) 5180lbs front axle, 6480lbs rear axle and (5vr) 12180lbs on both axles. The truck has a rated GCWR of 30500 and a max 5vr weight of 22600. The GVWR is 14000lbs, with 6890lbs rear axle max. The net result, I have 23840lbs total going down the road...well within rated capacity specs. 5vr Tires are G614 kept at 110lbs with TPMS...and truck speeds at or below 62mph average...usually less while motoring around So Cal. And--yes--because of CA Veh Code, I'm Class A Non-commercial classified DL to legally tow my 5vr which is max wt rated at 15800lbs.

I've done my homework, achieved the marks desired and plan the trips in great detail to keep our trips enjoyable. As with any situation, things can and will go wrong, will break and cause issues...it's all usually fixable and there are backup plans available to help with road assists, medical assists, transportation assists if/when necessary. Living the "roadtrip" life has responsibility but the results we see are memories and friends we could not live and discover if we didn't do this.

[JandC]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Apparently there is no significant change in Florida enforcement policy, at least for RVers. I can find no conversations on any other RV sites regarding this. And you would expect it to light up RV forums if it was a problem.

Same in PA. A neighbor and I went and cut firewood. I had a 3/4 GMC and he a half ton Chevy. I was more heavily loaded but a trooper pulled him over. He gave the neighbor a choice, move the truck even 1 foot and get a ticket or unload 1/2 on the spot. That was in the early 90s.[/QUOTE]

You are absolutely correct John. The only recent change that has effected RVers is Florida is a slight change making them a little more picky about what they will allow for an official address.

If any officer in Florida (city, state, or county) observes that overloaded pickup going down the road and deems it unsafe then he/she can stop them and take enforcement action under state statutes, Motor Carrier federal statutes would not apply.

When Phil references moving fivers for people I'm not sure he is providing all the facts and/or understands it himself fully. If I ask him as a friend to move my fiver across Florida with his 1-ton truck as a favor, then he is not "for hire" and does not need a CDL. I suspect my insurance would cover him if he had an accident, but of course that would be good to know before he actually hooked up.

Now on the other hand, if Phil offers to pull my fiver across Florida for me and he wants $300, then that changes everything. He now needs a CDL, he must stop at weigh stations, and he will fall under the federal statutes for certain things. You can bet he needs his own insurance.

[Theunz]

Not an insurance expert by any means, but it's my belief that since trailers are usually insured by a rider to the tow vechiles policy, your insurance would not cover your trailer.

[richfaa]

Originally Posted by wade

People just worry to much about overweight. When you have a heavyduty truck with one of those swivel head 5th wheel hitches you can even feel what the trailer is doing behind you. You go around a curve real fast and you don't even feel the trailer laying up. Big cause of rollovers of rvs

I am one of those people that worry to much.

[richfaa]

We all know of course that the "C" in CDL stands for Commercial My Rv is not a commercial vehicle however if you pull a RV for hire that is Commercial and you would need a CDL.

[jetskier]

Originally Posted by richfaa

We all know of course that the "C" in CDL stands for Commercial My Rv is not a commercial vehicle however if you pull a RV for hire that is Commercial and you would need a CDL.

I agree. I think everyone assumes over 26k requires a CDL. In reality, it's a Class A license. Class A CDL if you're commercial. Non-Commercial Class A otherwise.

[Phil P]

Ricjfaa and JandC

Both the definitions of Commercial Vehicle and the difination of Personal Use Vehicle in the Florida uniform vehicle traffic code do not say anything about being paid to do the job.

You do not have to be paid to come under the Commercial Vehicle definition. All you have to do is not be in compliance with the Personal Use Vehicle definition. Neither one says anything about being paid to do the transport.

To be a personal use vehicle you must comply with the definition of one. To put that in a short statement it is as this. To be a personal use vehicle the Truck and Trailer has be owned or leased by the operator and all material contained on or in the Vehicle or vehicles must be for the personal use of the owner or leaser.

I have seen other post on the truck forums about people getting stopped because the trailer or the vehicle on the trailer had a tag on it that was not registered to the owner of the truck and trailer. This one was a fellow helping a friend recover his car using his truck and race car trailer to get his friends car home. There were multiple citations issued from no CDL, no DOT cert on truck and trailer, and no current DOT inspection on truck and trailer.

It has nothing to do with whether or not you are being paid to do the transport.

As for insurance in Florida the liability insurance on a trailer is part of the towing vehicles insurance not a special rider or anything just the hookup to the trailer it come under the towing vehicles liability insurance.

All other insurance covering lose in case of theft or accident is a separate policy and does not come under the towing vehicles insurance.

Phil




PS: just for information I am approved in some federal court jurisdictions as an expert witness. About a month ago I gave a dissertation to a panel of 5 officials and when I was finished there were no questions. At the brake I had an attorney come to me and make the compliment that he had never seen such a detailed presentation.

This was an aviation question and it takes a lot of study of the regulations to do do that

[mlh]

Sometimes it’s better to beg forgiveness than ask permission.
If I ever go to Florida I’ll drive my truck and if I do something wrong I just pay the fine. I really don’t care what they do. It’s not a hanging offense and they don’t put you in jail.
Lynwood