You're probably right. I was going to weigh it before I returned it.

On that thought - how do all these guys running duallies get away with hauling skid loaders on the same trailers? Has to be pushing 16k or more and I see DOT #'s on the trucks? The owner of this trailer has a large skid loader and says he's over 16k with the loader and trailer.

 

Two of our superdutys 250,s at work have dot stickers on them so that means every time the lites are blinking you have to pull in and over the scales seems like they always chuckled and just wave you on through pain in the but.

I also been driving big truck for a number of years and agree that the inspections and such are a necessity it's when you get that rooky that wants to prove something and shuts you down for some silly thing like one leaf spring broken or your high beams don't work and it's the middle of the day.

guess the guy was only doing his job and at least you got something useful out of the deal

 

"We're just farming."

This is what I was always told unless your towing something that has absolutly nothing close to farming. Aka, this pretty much allows you to get away with anything. Not sure if thats true, but we have drove by the dot several times and never had a problem.

 

Does your truck have some kind of markings like a sticker or plates that say farm vehicle?

Farmers around here have farm plates they can do what they want dot never bothers them

 

Iowa doesn't have farm plates. I'm not sure why either.

 

That just sucks, they bother you and let this guy go down the road endangering everone.

 

HA HA '' she should be good just go slow''

 

Gotta love thoses 20's, keeps the bumper off the ground...well almost.

 

I am a DOT officer in Texas and the DOT rules are Federal should be the same in every State... The weights go by what the manufatuer rated the truck and trailer for (the GVWR) If a combination of truck and trailer is over 26,001 lb's and the trailer is over 10,000 lbs' (Rated for not actual weight you are carring) You need to have registration rec's Dot #'s and basicaly everything an 18 wheeler has. The only thing you are exempt from is the side ID markers... This is all If your staying in your home state If you start going interstate then the weight limit goes down.... As far as registed weight ( the weight you pay to carry) it goes for the maintenace of the roads you use to the county road and bridge shops... A registered weight ticket is the same as an expired registration ticket... Farm trucks and trailers are totaly another subject Its good to be a Farmer In Texas...

 

So if I were hauling the same kind of material but was using, say, a car trailer, the the DOT wouldn't give me a second glance?


I'm asking this because a friend of mine wanted some of the same stuff I was hauling (but not nearly as much) and asked if I could get it to him. All of it would fit on a car trailer.

 

It just depends... You proably wont be subject to the Fed Regs but you will be subject to the state law... Here in Texas 3000 lbs you have to have brakes 4500 lbs you have to have small trailer inspection sticker. And all except farm trailers have to have safety chains... Also you dont want to go over what the trailer is registered for...

 

Ohh and he wouldnt go down the road here... LOLOLOL

 

I'd like to see it go down the road....wonder how long the rear bumper would stay on the car LOL

Welcome to FTE Lawman, hopefully your expertise will set us guys straight. Always good to know the law...so to speak

 

im here in texas, and so a farm trailer does not need to have safety chains?

 

Farm trailers are exempt from safety chains and inspection untill they reach 34,000 lbs.... But I have them on my farm trailers anyways...