Wide Loads
 

What experiences has any one had with hauling over size loads{10 feet 2inches wide) as far as not having permits.

we pull the race boat out east and down to fla all the time and Ed has never had a permit. Never really been stopped either but we almost always travel at night. Kinda tight in the toll booths though :D

As an owner pulled my cat boat from MN to MD . Also towed an oversizes walk around from SC to MD . Both times tried to get permits but didn't have a DOT number and wasn't able to . In the end just went for it but , did go out of my way not to take any toll roads . At the weigh stations plan just didn't stop . Only drove sun up to sun down and no cities during rush hour . Plus had proper signs and flags displayed at all times . Made it home without any problems both times .

Its a roll of the dice. I used to be the supervisor of a Comm.Motor Vehicle Unit for a PD just outside of NYC. If you don't have permit and get stopped ride is over. If you have a permit and you are running in violations of any restrictions of the permit, same thing ride is over and permit is pulled. If you are stopped and don't have permit the rig most likely will be tow and impounded, its not worth it as permits are cheap and can be obtained by fax from each state you are travelling through. Ten foot is wide and you'll stick out like a sore thumb. There was a post on here awhile back someone getting stopped on I95 in NYC without permit and getting boat and rig impounded. If you find the post and read no one was a happy camper . Because of the width you are running, if stopped due to the libablity and law suits these days they most likely will not let you continue your trip. I would go for the permits and pice of mind.

I yanked my 12' wide cat from Toronto to NYC for the King of the Hudson run.

Permited all the way.
Toll booth lineups through " Wide Load " booth was scary.
So was every construction site on the highways, with concrete barriers inches away from the fibreglass.

I prearranged police escort on outskirts of Newark thank God cuz the wide load route to the launch area was on streets with parked cars and trucks everywhere.
The police were great guys and I had them bring their kids to the event the next day to hang around and look at all the boats.
Newark PD charged me 190.00 in and same out , but it was well worth it.

I travel to NYC by car in 8.5 hours. That trip took 14 because I had to wait at bridges to be escorted across alone.

I hauled for six years and was stopped three times. No tickets, but a couple lectures. Ny to Fl numerous times and Ny to Ky numerous times.

We pull a 10'2" pontoon a few times a year.the permit is a rider on the insurance policy and only good for a certain rout in our case toledo to sanduskey bay

Thats really good info.... thanku... If the trailer is tilted, do u still need a permit, or is it still a good idea to get one anyway, to avoid any issues?...

I have a blanket permit for VA but have never been stopped. Was stopped once out of state but fortunately had permits. I think it was Alabama by a DOT officer.

I use Mercury Permits and they are very reasonable. Fill out the form and they will email you the permits. Pretty easy for the peace of mind.....

Was Mercury able to get the permits without a DOT number ? I wanted permits but with no DOT number couldn't seem to get them . Called a service and was willing to pay , just had no luck being a private carrier .

I own a business that does nothing but haul oversize loads in all the states east of Texas and this is a real can of worms for a private individual with no concept of the penalties they "can" throw at you if they want to. When it comes to recreational type boats that are in excess of 8'6" in width it is really a very gray area as far as enforcement. I say gray because legally in most states anything wider than 8'6 has to have a permt, but they seldom go after the oversize recreational guy using a non commercial type tow vehicle, but the one time they do, they'll make a real believer out of you. It's just another case of they have the laws to back them up if they want to enforce them, but when it comes to the type boats and tow vehicles used by most of the people who frequent this forum, enforcement is usually a non issue. Here's a link that talks about DOT registration among other federal requirements.
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registratio...tion-USDOT.htm

heavyhauler is right. having dealt with it with the race boats I learned one thing. no matter the situation with the DOT, you are wrong and they are right. if you get pulled by the guy having a bad day, prepare for impound and bail money. if you get pulled by one who feels OK about your rig you may slide and go on. it is a roll of the dice and up to the guy pulling you over and as said they have the laws behind them. as of late they have threatened that any vehicle with air brakes (motorhomes, etc) have to have a CDL or face fines. your rig is a revenue source now days so do you feel lucky?

Sorry for stepping a little off topic...but are we supposed to stop and go through scales? I never have, no one has stopped me.

Only if your tow vehicle or trailer has a commercial plate/registration.

Correct...same in Canada

AND I think even if it hasn't...if you have any permit ( ie overwidth or overlength)

You sir are correct!!!!

Some states are pressing that if your truck is in a company name , it's commercial

Do you have website or contact info. for this service.

Thank you for the link just the type of information I was looking for:drink:.

The earlier comment about the DOT and the law is absolutely correct. They will ruin your year if they really want to!

It is so nice to have everything in order and not have to be fearful.... is my rig and boat at risk for impound. Definitely would suck if your going to a destination to have fun only to get your stuff taken to an impound yard.

KAP

http://www.mercurypermits.net/

and they give discounts to BoatUS members

Yes, no problem on Private owner.

http://www.mercurypermits.net/

I'll be using them from now on , thanks for saving me from what could be a lot of trouble .

what is the maximum length for a regular class d license ? i know my new boat is over on width but not by much. dont think anyones gonna argue and break out a tape over 6" on me ... i hope

TALKIN TRASH WAS THE BOAT IN NY

I pull INXS from Texas to Florida all the time. Not over width just over length.I use fleet one permits all is fine. We are 84 feet long and legal in Mississippi and Alabama. Just need permits in Louisiana and Florida. We are a personal truck pulling a personal boat.

In NC the DMV got real big into stopping fishing boats because most of them are over the 8'6" rule. The law was changed so that 10' is now the limit but you must have a light at the widest part of the boat. Anything over 10' you can only tow from sunrise to sunset, you can't tow 24 hrs before or after a holiday, you can't tow on Sunday and you must display the oversize banner and flags. The oversize permit is easy to get as all you do is call and no DOT # is needed. In NC about 2 yrs ago you would get stopped if your boat was close to being over the limit as the DMV had found a way to generate more revenue. After the DMV harrassed enough big politicians who liked to fish and had these big CC's they changed the width. You also have to remember that if your towing over 10,000 lbs you are supposed to have a Class A license. The law states a combined vehicle weight of 26,000 lbs you can have a Class C but it also states towing over 10,000 lbs requires a Class A.