Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Be in compliance like you should be and you'll have no problems. I've had a truck and trailer for a race hauler since 2006, and I've never had any problems. Been stopped a few times and checked out, but never much more than checking paperwork and a quick visual inspection of the vehicle. I've seen way too many trucks at the track that have "Registered RV" on them, and they may get away with that thus far in places like North Dakota, but it's not legal per federal regulations. They're just trying to buy cheap insurance and not have to pay IFTA. Sorry boys, but you're going to get nailed for that in the end.

Like has been stated, if you're a prick, expect to get the full range of inspection and every little thing picked at. If you're good to them, they'll be good to you. They're just doing the job their bosses are telling them to do, like most of you would as well. Simple as that.

Best thing to do is call the closest "scale house", and talk with a DOT representative. They can give you any information you need. If you try calling the state DOT, you usually deal with alot of unending calling and holding. If you have one close, you can drive out there as well, and they're usually really good about helping you with what you need to know.

i think a better idea is just to run legal. alcohol anywhere in the rig (trailer)is a huge no-no with the dot, just sayin

as i think about it there are not very many "dumpy" looking race rifs out there..be careful..

Ascot was the greatest of all time..

West Capital wasn't half bad either..

Life is good...

The Nationals being moved to WHERE? Who has the seating capacity outside of Charlotte?

But their are very 410s down there, and I can't see too many Midwest cars making that long haul.

Didn't Kinser & Hillenburg have John Christner Trucking helping out with permits & such. BTW The DOT folks do have Motor Carrier Enforcement right on thier vehicles. In Ohio there are also Haz Mat folks. They usually set at the scales as you come into Ohio on 30 east other than that I have never seen them. The Dot sets up sometimes at Road Side Rests in Ohio for the sole purpose of trucks pulling in there, If you are not motioned over you just keep on driving. Actually have the rest stop closed down for that.

Do yo have any pictures of this rig? I always enjoy cheering for Robert Bell.

*********

It is not the Nationals it is the Knoxville Nationals

Who do you think owns the rights that

Maybe the Marion county Fair

Lots of races call them the nationals but there is only one Knoxville Nationals That pays about 1,000,000

You don't get it do you it does not belong to the WoO to move

That race is older than the Outlaws

You got a 1,000,000 have race on the same day and tell me how that works out

Who would to like to tell they to back off I think that job is open if you would like it.

A few folks have mentioned this at it seems to get overlooked.

The GVW of your truck/trailer is irrelevant if you are racing for money. The minute you admit (or they can prove) you race for cash/prizes it’s a “Commercial Vehicle” subject to all the rules and laws of an over the road driver (Haz-Mat placards, flares, secured load, etc). That’s right, an F-150 with an open trailer can get pulled over, inspected and the driver needs a CDL, medical card, log book, etc. THAT is the letter of the law. I know Indiana & Pennsylvania have seen these DOT traps set up outside of tracks and have stopped EVERY vehicle carrying a race car. I sold my Toter-home upon advice of my attorney since there was no way we could afford to CDL the crew, pay the highway taxes, stop at the scales, and generally keep up with the paperwork to stay legal. I’m hoping to sneak by with a dually & gooseneck and play dumb. Either that or tell them it’s a exhibition/show car and we don’t race for money! J

In 2003 my Kenworth T2000 motorhome pulling an enclosed trailer (not a race trailer) got pulled over for inspection on 14 after leaving the nationals so this isn't anything new that's going on.

I guess I would question a few things you say. If the trailer is under 10,000#'s no CDL is needed. Interstate or intrastate makes a huge difference also. If you're within a 100 air miles from home no log is needed.

As far as cost goes it's not that bad. CDL in WI costs an additional $80 and a DOT physical is about $180 every two years. To DOT the truck and trailer is usually $65 a vehicle. If you're involved in interstate transit and over 26,000#'s you have to do the IFTA fuel reporting which is a pain but not a huge expense.

It's alot cheaper to be legal and legit than try to get around the laws. I have had a US DOT number since 1990 and also had my own authority to transport other peoples freight so I have had experiences with the DOT in SD, IA, WI, IL, IN, NC, SC and FL.In 2002 I got seven citations in SD because I wasn't legit and they were going to red tag my truck. I got a man with a CDL to get it off of I35 for me or that would have been one hell of a tow bill. Once I did everything right and legal I have never had another issue even though I have been checked many times.

As far as being an ahole to the DOT man....good luck with that one. He has the badge, gun, legal system, and your ass in his control. Be respectful to him and hope he isn't having a bad day. He's heard every story and lie before so if you choose to go down that road you will lose. If you're straight up with him and not legal in every way he probably will give you a break.

The use dictates what is required to legally operate the motor vehicle and that's what the DOT man cares about. Just because it's licensed or titled a certain way doesn't mean that it's legal to be operated in the capacity in which it's being used.

www.harleytrikes.com

so a 65 yr old grandma on her way to Bingo is knowingly in pusuit of a purse for CA$H? , I have a feeling a good attourney contact before departure would be a wise move, most small race rigs are registered in thier state of residence/ownership /tax prep , isnt the Fed DOT guidelines ammended too and worthy of disgression via personal attourney , my understanding is Indiana has the least RV requirements thus the majority of loads/boats, RV's,ect being assmbled there? also, my personal observation is "not for hire" or " registered RV" is a tactic used for insureance coverage to attempt to drop Corporation /Buisness type of insurance should a incident occur, Im not 100% positive, but, just my observation ( I would contact my attourney) as I too, begin conversion of a toter type of vehical, one weekend I will use it to go racing, the next I will pull a 17.5 foot fiberglass ski boat to the lake, if I pull 500 dollar tab from the local bar pull jar , does that mean im a commercial vehical now. total B.S.

I wonder how beer makes it way from the brewery to the distributor’s and then onto the stores? Apparently, it must be by rail or non profit. Maybe it falls under the Haz met guidelines? Hum ;)=

be on the lookout for a black Trans am and a skinny guy with a cowboy hat, east bound and down!

I wasn't trying to argue, just letting you know what is going on. It all depends on the attitude/mood of the guy pulling you over. My friend has the US Marshal on speed dial for all the local cops who like to argue with his Federal DOT variances for their race hauler. My point was CDL's are expensive and many of the rules to make a race trailer "legal" aren't worth it to me. For example, we drive a bit longer than 8 hours sometimes. :)

Check some of the RV boards and you'll see the fight coming up over requiring all the grandmas & grandpas with 40 foot motor-coaches to have CDL's. THAT will be fun to watch as the Feds argue it's a safety issue but they feel safer for a price.

by your explanation someone with a motorcycle trailer or even a motorcycle in the back of their truck that races on the weekends and gets cash/prizes falls into the CDL category.

that would also seem to include someone with a horse trailer that uses the horse to compete in events with.

hell my mom has a bowling ball in the trunk of her car that she uses to compete with for cash/prize.

does my mom need a CDL too?

from my understanding there is such a thing as having a hobbie. even if that hobbie involves cash/prizes.

that hobbie is not a commercial enterprise.

what if i have some BINGO cards in my truck? is my truck now a commercial vehicle because i use it to haul BINGO cards that are used to compete for cash/prizes?

to indy and beyond!!