MAP's 2010 Shootout Saga

[Matt D.]

I talked to my friend who is an over the road truck driver, told him the story, showed him a picture of your rig and this is what he said:

"Thats not a bunk, thats an over sized pickup. They should have a 'not for hire' sticker on it, blown the scale and just stay on the highway."

I can put you in touch with him if you'd like, he knows his way around DOT regulations like we know our way around the 4G63. He also offered to haul the trailer for you with his truck. ;)

[v8klla]

Haha yeah we're about 20" short in regards to the length requirement. It has a not for hire sticker on it, and the inspector actually told me that I should take it off as it makes us look like we have no idea what we're doing lol. I would be more than happy to bypass the weigh stations if I didn't think I would get in trouble for it, the rig weighs almost 40,000lbs fully loaded and anything over 26,000 has to have US DOT# and make such stops at every open station. We also have to have IRP and IFTA if we travel out of state. Believe me I have researched long and hard how we could possibly avoid jumping through all these hoops as we only travel like 5000 miles a year, but without it being a recreational vehicle I can't find any such loopholes :(

[scheides]

Sounds like a recreational vehicle IMHO :) Used for recreation only!

[v8klla]

Apparently it has to have a bathroom to be considered recreational, and we could not have decals on the trailer...

[A//// Guy]

Thats a crazy trip! Congrats on the passes and times guys! Always impressed with your work and strive to be on top!

[niterydr]

Apparently it has to have a bathroom to be considered recreational, and we could not have decals on the trailer...

Install a portapoty and change the decals on the trailer from a wrap to a stick on.

or

Know when and where the weight stations are and make sure you pass by them when they are not in service.

[niterydr]

Haha yeah we're about 20" short in regards to the length requirement. It has a not for hire sticker on it, and the inspector actually told me that I should take it off as it makes us look like we have no idea what we're doing lol. I would be more than happy to bypass the weigh stations if I didn't think I would get in trouble for it, the rig weighs almost 40,000lbs fully loaded and anything over 26,000 has to have US DOT# and make such stops at every open station. We also have to have IRP and IFTA if we travel out of state. Believe me I have researched long and hard how we could possibly avoid jumping through all these hoops as we only travel like 5000 miles a year, but without it being a recreational vehicle I can't find any such loopholes :(

Just for the sake of clairty.

Anything over 10,001 lbs is subject to DOT compliance if it is hauling. From the DOT handbook, DOT comliance issues are "are applicable to all employers, employees, and commercial motor vehicles, which transport property or passengers in interstate commerce"

CDL's are required over 26,000 lbs. That is where your log book, medical cards come in.

Safety violations on rigs over 10,000 lbs are your safety kits, fire extinguishers, cargo holding etc, again this is only business/commercial use.

Example, if I put a plow on my 2500hd and tow a bobcat for snow removal, DOT has me in their crosshair as I am over 10,000 most likely and using it for commercial use.
If I tow Ryan's vette for him cross country in an enclosed trailer, while I am over 10,000, it is not commercial as we are not a company and not operating for profit, but if he pays me to do it, then essentially I am subject to DOT safety compliance.

**Keep im mind that the DOT safety requirements are only subject to the power unit, (hauler) unless connected to a trailer during a dot inspection. Then everything attached to the power unit is subject to safety compliance (mostly safety equipment, blinkers, stuff like that)

Chris,

Have you guys explored trip permits instead of IRP plates? If you are not making many out of state trips, it may be more cost effective to arrange for the 72 hour permits versus paying taxes in multiple states.

[mlomker]

It sounds like all they'd have to do is send a CDL driver down one day ahead and have them spend the night at a motel. A bit inconvenient perhaps, but if trips exceeding 11 hours are infrequent then not a big deal.

[tpunx99GSX]

Install a portapoty and change the decals on the trailer from a wrap to a stick on.


Or just one of those Ice fishing bucket toilets. hahaha.

[v8klla]

Yeah its only twice a year that we make these long trips, for now at least. In regards to the IRP situation my understanding was that trip permits were pretty expensive, plus on this trip alone we traveled through four states. Our trip to Englishtown in October will be even more, what a hassle that would be. My understanding of the IRP is that the registration gets split up to the states traveled in by percentage so it shouldn't have costed me much more than just registering in MN anyways...