Question about vehicle length 24 inch exemption for loading / unloading devices

Recently a shipper refused to load my trailer because it had a pallet jack inside.

Read this document from FHWA:

ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/publications/size_regs.../size_regs_final_rpt.pdf

In the section titled "LENGTH AND WIDTH EXCLUSIVE DEVICES" it states:

"....Devices excluded from the measurement of the length include
1) those needed for loading or unloading that do not extend more than 24 inches beyond the rear of the vehicle;"

My pallet jack is used for only for loading / unloading so appears that I could have it on the back of the trailer. However I have never seen a trailer with a pallet jack out back so maybe not.

I was thinking of mounting a trailer hitch designed for an RV 4 inch bumper to the DOT bumper and using a 24 inch removeable platform for the 21 inch wide pallet jack.

Is this allowable under this regulation or am I missing something?





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Thanks Scslemaster. Thatd kind of what I thought but the regs are not specific about attached devices. I am surprised that a pallet jack is regarded as freight since it is only used to load and unload and has no other function.

 

Interesting... putting it on the tractor would be ideal. I may look into loacating it on the catwalk if its outside the trailer radius. Its kinda heavy though. This has only happened once in 6 months but its good to be prepared!

 

Specifically Leprino foods in Greeley, CO. I can understand the need for clean and dry but they dont allow anything on the floor. Of course it was the worst paying load that turned out to be the biggest pain.