So you want to hot-shot? (Will be updated/edited frequently)

I don't think there's a book out there that'll explain it any better than I have here?

With that 12' flatbed on your truck, before you buy any trailer, hook on to it, measure the over all length of truck and trailer combined , and make sure that you're not over 65' in total length.

 

Here's something else you want to be sure to measure. Before you buy a trailer take a tape measure and measure it from the center of the rear axle on the trailer, to the center of the fifth wheel pin or gooseneck coupler. Many states require this measurement to be no greater than 40'. Some people call it different names but here were I live most people call it the trailer bridge law.

 

Almost everything the FMC puts out is difficult to understand.

 

So I've been thinking about this a lot, I've called and talked to my dot consultant and she didn't know what I was talking about, just gave me a bunch of useless info and rules that applied mainly to big rigs and permits and basicly said I shouldn't worry about it...really? Thanks for the help, Not! I asked for rules that apply mainly to hotshot and got nothing.. So are these dot officers just making unwritten rules daily to mess with small trucks hopeing we are to stupid and just gonna hand over our paychecks to pay their bs fines?? Not me boss!! Why does it make a difference if I have a bed on my truck or not?? What constitutes "bed"?? Can I chop the sides of my flatbed off at the frame rails and be considered a tractor?? Still keep the headache rack, center section between the frame rails, and bumper? Fab up some fenders and be legit? Can I put tool boxes between the headache rack and goosneck?? Also I'm thinking about a deck on the neck of my trailer. Not for freight but to put a tent up every night to sleep in. I don't have 10k to spend for a sleeper yet. Is this another no-no? Who rights these rules for hotshot and where can I get a copy so I don't blow all my paychecks on fines? I want to comply but I can't if some DOT hothead is just making rules on a daily basis... #### dot!! Stay safe y'all.

 

Here's the 65' rule and some distinction between tractor and truck

A truck tractor is defined as a non-cargo-carrying power unit used in combination with a semitrailer. A truck that carries cargo on the same chassis as the power unit and cab, commonly known as a straight truck, is not subject to Federal regulations, but is subject only to State provisions. Likewise a straight truck towing a trailer or semitrailer is subject only to State vehicle length regulation, except that the total length of its two cargo-carrying units may not exceed a federally established limit of 65 feet.

https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/publications/size_regs_final_rpt/

Haven't had much luck on the second part of this question yet. I'm part of a FB hotshot group and in the past I've seen discussion about guys having success by defining their truck as a tractor but I'm hazy on the details. Its been awhile and I couldn't find anything on a quick search. I was just looking at my cab card too and there's nowhere on there that defines it one way or the other. May be why the advise is given to not have a bed of any kind since that way you literally have no way to haul cargo on the power unit and therefore aren't a straight truck. If I find out anything else, I'll update

 

What is a truck tractor?

It is a noncargo carrying power unit that operates in combination with a semitrailer or trailer. A truck tractor and semitrailer engaged in the transportation of automobiles may transport cargo (motor vehicles) on part of the power unit.

https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/sw/faqs/qa.cfm?category=12#SO-51

Not very helpful or descriptive, I know, but that seems to be the legal definition of it

 

Yeah, these arent new rules, they've been in place since before I got into trucking 34 years ago. As far as length laws, they apply to any commercial vehicle regardless if it's a hotshot or a semi truck.

To answer your question about cutting down your flatbed. That isn't going to do you any good because some officers will say that you could still haul freight on it even though it's just a narrow strip of bed left covering the frame rails. I've had a few of our Owner Operators get cited in TX, and in FL for being over 65' just because they had a aluminum deck plate covering their fuel tank. I also had a TX based Owner Operator get turned around at the AZ/CA border because he was over 65' in total length. He had a flatbed on his truck.

And as far as the officer/dot that you talked to not knowing anything about it, that doesn't surprise me. Some officers out there will know the law,,and others won't. It's hit and miss.

You may get away with it, and then you may not. Where they'll typically bust you on this length law is on state highways, country roads, city streets, etc. Oh they may try to bust you on this on a interstate but by law they can't. That's because all Interstates are federally maintained and federal law trumps state law in regards to this rule.

I had a Owner Operator stopped on Interstae 5 at the cottonwood scales. They were telling him he was red tagged for being over 65'. They were writing him a ticket and saying he was gonna have to pay a tow service to pull his trailer out of the scale and accross the state line before he would be allowed to hook back up to it. When he told me this on the phone while standing in the chicken coup I told him to hand the phone to the officer and let me talk to him. I told the officer I-5 is federally funded and maintained and he himself is breaking the law by holding this Owner Operator up. He says hang on and calls his supervisor. He came right back on the phone and said you are correct, we're letting him go but he better not get off the interstate. Then I informed him that under federal law he's allowed to exit the interstate for food, fuel, lodging, and to make his deliver.

Just letting you know though that if they catch you taking a state highway, county road, etc when you could've taken another route, they'll bust you (and they don't care how far of the way taking a interstate would be for you). Some counties have very stiff fines for being over length, not to mention the tow bill can be very very expensive. The last guy I know that got busted for this was up a long the California coast line. it cost him $2,700.00 for the fine and tow bill combined. That guy was delivering in the area and those officers said, to bad, you should've brought it in on a shorter trailer.

 

I'd LOVE to hear more about this and what you modify them onto.
Thanks!

 

What would you like to hear? For me it's a slow moving deal, I only have weekends to mess around with them.

 

What your expected outcome is, what you're turning them into. I've this thing about helping others that drives me...