Any real world experiences with towing over width out of Key West?
09-29-2015, 03:38 PM
#31
I have called Monroe Country sheriff's office and found the officer in charge of off duty details, which is what they are calling their escort service. I have his personal cell number if anyone wants it, but I don't want to post it here since I didn't say anything to him about that.
Anyway, he was a very nice guy, said it is $160 cash payable to the officer who escorts you, It is not done through the actual sheriff's office, but I guess a sanctioned side job for them. The guy I spoke with said he has a list of officers who volunteer for this, I assume it is a little pocket money for the officer.
So when I make my travel plans he said just to call him and say when I want to travel and he will set me up with an officer who will meet me and run me up the keys.
I did ask him what his thoughts were on travel that weekend. Whether the DOT guys were normally "out for bear" that time or more of "get all these guys off the islands" mentality. He said he had seen it both ways. Years when there were no DOT guys out, and others when they were all stacked up waiting to get everyone. Take that with a grain of salt, as he is obviously running a small business here.
Now oddly enough he wasn't very forth coming about the rules for this. I asked him if we had to travel at night, he said that depends on what DOT says. So I said well I am 10'6" on the trailer, and he said " you may not even need a permit at the width, you are right on the edge of needing one".
Seems like if he is running this escort side business he would know a bit more about that. And I don't think anywhere in the country has a limit over 8'6" or maybe 9. But I am pretty sure 10'6" is wide load anywhere. Nor did he know if we had to go at night or not. Again seemed like he would know that kind of thing. But he did seem like a very nice guy. Maybe he just didn't want to commit to anything that isn't technically his department.
Regardless, just a little info to help out anyone who has been watching this thread.
Honestly 160 is much cheaper than I thought it would be. I doubt I would drive that far for that, being as they basically have to go both ways to get back home. A round trip up and down the keys is a haul for 160 bucks I think. But that is great for us, at that price it almost feels stupid to not pay for the escort, most of us will buy more than one round of drinks for that price the week of the races!
If anyone wants his contact info PM me, but honestly I just googled the Monroe county sheriffs office and called their main number.and asked the person who answered about over-width escort service. She immediately said " oh you need to talk to....." and transferred me.
But I do have his name and cell number if you want to PM me for it. The duty officer gave me his number so I feel ok giving it out a little more personally then posting it on-line.
Hope this helps some of you who are making this trip.
Anyway, he was a very nice guy, said it is $160 cash payable to the officer who escorts you, It is not done through the actual sheriff's office, but I guess a sanctioned side job for them. The guy I spoke with said he has a list of officers who volunteer for this, I assume it is a little pocket money for the officer.
So when I make my travel plans he said just to call him and say when I want to travel and he will set me up with an officer who will meet me and run me up the keys.
I did ask him what his thoughts were on travel that weekend. Whether the DOT guys were normally "out for bear" that time or more of "get all these guys off the islands" mentality. He said he had seen it both ways. Years when there were no DOT guys out, and others when they were all stacked up waiting to get everyone. Take that with a grain of salt, as he is obviously running a small business here.
Now oddly enough he wasn't very forth coming about the rules for this. I asked him if we had to travel at night, he said that depends on what DOT says. So I said well I am 10'6" on the trailer, and he said " you may not even need a permit at the width, you are right on the edge of needing one".
Seems like if he is running this escort side business he would know a bit more about that. And I don't think anywhere in the country has a limit over 8'6" or maybe 9. But I am pretty sure 10'6" is wide load anywhere. Nor did he know if we had to go at night or not. Again seemed like he would know that kind of thing. But he did seem like a very nice guy. Maybe he just didn't want to commit to anything that isn't technically his department.
Regardless, just a little info to help out anyone who has been watching this thread.
Honestly 160 is much cheaper than I thought it would be. I doubt I would drive that far for that, being as they basically have to go both ways to get back home. A round trip up and down the keys is a haul for 160 bucks I think. But that is great for us, at that price it almost feels stupid to not pay for the escort, most of us will buy more than one round of drinks for that price the week of the races!
If anyone wants his contact info PM me, but honestly I just googled the Monroe county sheriffs office and called their main number.and asked the person who answered about over-width escort service. She immediately said " oh you need to talk to....." and transferred me.
But I do have his name and cell number if you want to PM me for it. The duty officer gave me his number so I feel ok giving it out a little more personally then posting it on-line.
Hope this helps some of you who are making this trip.
