Race Haulers and the Iowa DOT

[huskerdirt]

Cant see pic?

I know at Oakshade last year there was talk that if Pierce's took the thruway they would be stopped if anyone in OH caught wind of their length. I have no idea what is what for DOT crap, but they haul triples up on the thruway in OH at 70mph so not sure how a hauler would be longer.

I don't know why my pic won't show up, must be the new 4m. It's a pic of Unzickers hauler. If you notice by the door there's no DOT number listed or Registered RV sticker.

This is why he got pulled over the way he did..... Like I said don't look suspicious.

You can find the pic on his Facebook page.

[huskerdirt]

The axle spacing wasn't a problem on Unzickers hauler. I've seen other trucks(not racing related) that are just as spaced if not worse.

[huskerdirt]

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/Freight/publications/size_regs_final_rpt/index.htm#tts

If put a standard toter right next to a semi with a 53 foot trailer. They are exactly the same length.

[huskerdirt]

Have a lot of hauler tickets been written for being over the allowed weight limits when it comes to gross weight per axle?

Shouldn't be..... I've hauled up to 47,000 lbs in cargo and not been over weight. Even with two cars and all the spare parts.... Etc. They should never even sniff being over weight.

And they don't have to have placards for hazardous materials because they honestly don't carry that much fuel.

[Kwd1253]

you better have stuff right when the state boys/dot pull you over, paper work right,weight,length,width. don't matter what you pulling they going try their hardest find something wrong to get money out of you.

[huskerdirt]

you better have stuff right when the state boys/dot pull you over, paper work right,weight,length,width. don't matter what you pulling they going try their hardest find something wrong to get money out of you.

Yes, you better have a sh!t together. If you aren't a d!ck to them they will help you out tremendously.

Unzicker didn't have a DOT sticker or a Registered RV sticker on his door. DOT can spot that from across the highway. That's why he got pulled over. You could say Unzicker didn't have his sh!t together.

[cjsracing]

huskerdirt,

Most of these haulers are a 38' truck and a 40' trailer which puts you at 78' total and over the length limits in Iowa and most states.

[huskerdirt]

huskerdirt,

Most of these haulers are a 38' truck and a 40' trailer which puts you at 78' total and over the length limits in Iowa and most states.

I'm just going by my visual when I see them parked next to other semi's. For example I saw Carriers and EPJs rig parked next to Blankenships last year and they were pretty much the same length. Maybe a foot either way.

40 foot sounds about right on trailer. 78 feet seems really high. I know you race so you are probably right. I guess my next question is why would these guys build these to be over length to begin with? That just seems so careless on the manufactors part.

[Madcat]

Yes, you better have a sh!t together. If you aren't a d!ck to them they will help you out tremendously.

Unzicker didn't have a DOT sticker or a Registered RV sticker on his door. DOT can spot that from across the highway. That's why he got pulled over. You could say Unzicker didn't have his sh!t together.

That is interesting since his position at the family business is "Safety Coordinator" or was last time we chatted with him. Would think he'd be up on that kind of safety stuff.

Either way sucks for those parties who got stopped but as stated, gotta cover your a**es out there.

[427c.i.]

The other racer that got pulled over was Dan Rork from Pontiac IL. (I hope he doesn't mind that I mentioned his name) On his FB page he states that the DOT cop told him the about the 1099 and also made them dump any alcohol they had in the hauler.
I know of at least one toter/stacker that is 83" and his isn't the longest one I've seen...

[huskerdirt]

That is interesting since his position at the family business is "Safety Coordinator" or was last time we chatted with him. Would think he'd be up on that kind of safety stuff.

Either way sucks for those parties who got stopped but as stated, gotta cover your a**es out there.

Yea that's why I kinda shook my head. If you go to his FB page. You'll see a pic of the toter. And there's nothing printed on the door.

[cjsracing]

Husker,

The black hauler I used to have was a 34' truck and a 34' trailer for a 68' total so I was just under the max. I know when I have been parked beside a S&S or 5150 type they easily had 10' on me.

I know when I was pulled over the officer was very helpful (I was shocked). He asked me what I do for a living and I told him I was a CPA and racing is my hobby and fun to unwind from the long hours I work. He told me since I had a full time career that wasn't racing and because Iowa allows my type of hauler to be classified as an RV I am NOT a commercial vehicle. I conveniently forgot to tell him my racing is setup as a Partnership entity, lol.

[huskerdirt]

Husker,

The black hauler I used to have was a 34' truck and a 34' trailer for a 68' total so I was just under the max. I know when I have been parked beside a S&S or 5150 type they easily had 10' on me.

I know when I was pulled over the officer was very helpful (I was shocked). He asked me what I do for a living and I told him I was a CPA and racing is my hobby and fun to unwind from the long hours I work. He told me since I had a full time career that wasn't racing and because Iowa allows my type of hauler to be classified as an RV I am NOT a commercial vehicle. I conveniently forgot to tell him my racing is setup as a Partnership entity, lol.

Wow, I've seen your hauler before. I didn't realize it was that long. I thought it was maybe 5-10 feet shorter.

I guess my next question is IF it is registered as an RV are you exempt from being over length?

[cjsracing]

"I guess my next question is IF it is registered as an RV are you exempt from being over length?"

According to the IDOT website, length limits are applicable to ALL vehicles and not special to commercial vehicles. There are different length limits whether you are pulling 1 or 2 trailers (2 trailers like a pickup pulling a camper trailer with a boat trailer attached to the camper trailer). So over length is over length whether it is a personal or commercial vehicle.

[cgrace]

how do you get to be a registered RV?