New driver w/ CDL "A" going to haul customer choppers from Florida to Texas. Truck is a Freightliner Sport Chassis and a 48' Haulmark trailer w/ electric breaks. Only 6 choppers in the trailer so there is no weight issue. Will keep a log book but do I need to go thru the stations? This is a private owned coach not for hire. Will only drive for 10-11 hrs a day until I reach my destination. If I do have to what is the proper procedure. I do not have a Pre-Pass and never have driven thru a station before. May sound stupid but I just want to get there without upsetting anyone. Thanks for the help guys/gals.

Are you getting paid to drive the rig, is someone paying to have the bikes delivered???

In other words if you are being paid for driving a rig that belongs to or is being used by A business to deliver the scooters then it is NOT a private vehicle anymore. It is a commercial vehicle. As such you fall under all the rules and regulations as any other commercial vehicle. Thus, yep ya gotta stop and have all the necessary paperwork. (Or take the chance of getting caught and suffering the consequences)

Where do you get the idea that a private coach is not for hire. Are you going to bring them from Florida to Texas for free?

You will be required to have all the documentation. USDOT #, Insurance, driver file, drug testing, medical card and log book. Your vehicle will be commercial.

Sounds like your basic 5th wheel RV setup to me. Comes down to who's frieght it is, and if you're getting paid, more than the truck/trailer type itself though.

FWIW, The beauty in running Florida is that if you're light, you will get the bypass (the bypass once inside the scale property that is) and you'll never get below 45 mph. That is if you even have to enter.

Say what is your gross here anywhoo?

Like others have said,do stop at the scales.Another thing to keep in mind.The bikes have fuel tanks so now in your trailer you have class 3 hazmat.Thats if they have been fueled.Your paperwork then needs to show whats being hauled and written in the proper format.About a year ago there was an add in the paper for a class A driver up by where I live.It was for Orange County Choppers.The outfit you might have seen on the discovery channel.The job was also hauling choppers to different shows and single bikes to buyers.The tractor was a small freightliner.The trailer was also similar to haulmark.It had fresh paint,chrome and every convenience on board.So,it was go out a couple of weeks to shows,some regional deliveries to buyers,and shop work when not driving.All meals,hotels were paid for.When driving you set your hours.Never any pressure while driving.Sounds great doesn't it?Well, it would have been but the benefits were kind of slim.The pay was real low,about $15.00 per hour.Not much compared to the going rate up here for class A drivers.I could deliver pizza up here for about the same amount.For a driver that doen't need a lot income,great job but for me $15.00 per hour wouldn't pay the bills.

I want to make a statement but, I need more information. Who owns the truck and trailer? Is there any kind of advertisement on either? Are these your bikes you are selling? Was you and your customers at a show or vacation? Did they buy the biker and you are picking them up? Is these customers friends? Please explain your situation. I have a reason for asking these questions.

__________________
Pain is weakness leaving the body.

Truck owned by the owner of the company. Bikes are for show only. Going to show bikes at a rally in Texas. Did not buy any bike. No customers involved. Just transporting for an celebrity bike builder exhibition at a rally in Texas.

__________________
USMC 26th Expeditionary Unit Semper Fi

It's personal property. I wouldn't stop at any of them. You are not different the John Q happy RV owner. You don't need authority or a bill of laden. It's your product. You have the license to do it. Your license allows you to pull a trailer over 10,000 lbs. Run it. If you get stopped play stupid. You won't have any problems. I don't think I would even fill out a log book. It's not different than all of those guys pulling trailer to FL for bike week. They don't stop. Semper Fi devil dog!

__________________
Pain is weakness leaving the body.

How is the vehicle registered??? If it is registered as a RV then you certainly do not have to stop. But if otherwise, then I would be stopping. Better be safe than sorry. Some of the boys at the scales just love to chase trucks down.

And FL just loves to screw with hot shots.


Nobull your best bet is to find a FL DOT man and ask them!!!!!



I don't think the advice to just run the scale is good advice.

__________________