Anticipating Olympics, BC eases wheelbase rule

Everyone please note.the wheelbase rule restriction that is being relaxed in B.C. in anticipation of the Olympics is ONLY for legal equipment and loads. It IS NOT relaxed for oversize loads!!
If you're oversized and or overweight, your maximun tractor wheelbase is 244". If you try to pull a fast one on the scales or Central permits in Dawson Creek and say your tractor is legal when it's not to obtain your permit, if you get caught, you're toast! At least a big fat ticket and having to repower the load, at worst impounded and towed.
Don't chance it, it's not worth it. The T.A.C. rule about the wheelbase has been in place for over 20 years now, and the inspectors are getting tired of explaining it and listening to lame excuses.
Good luck, be careful out there..

 

just another publicity stunt to make them look better... what does the olympics have to do with wheelbase laws.. if your not legal before or after, stay out, or change the law so everyone has the same rights. just another way to get caught so bring cash

 

YEP look like nice guys grab some $$$$$

 

If my truck's WB is 270", and trailer is 53', can I buy a permit to operate in BC or AB with that set up? I used to drive for PSTL out of Seattle, WA they had 4-axle trucks and 4-axle trailers and we delivered loads to Kelowna or Vernon with no usues. Where can I find the info regarding legal lenght for BC and AB?

 

the rules
http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/cvse/
road conditions
www.drivebc.ca
alberta
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/2737.htm
once you think you have the information call a scale in each province and verify it especcially in BC

 

Glad to help. Your tractor and trailer set up is not legal in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba. This was established in 1988, with the western provinces adopting the R.T.A.C. standards.
Many carriers and owner-operators try to ignore the 244" wheelbase rule, but everybody gets caught eventually, usually at the worst possible time or place. I know one carrier that just got shut down two weeks ago at the border scale, and had to re-power the load, very expensive. His wheelbase was 246" . So you can see they are serious. The rule is over 20 years old now, so it's hard for anyone to claim they didn't hear about it yet.
In 1988, when first implemented, I had a 260" wb tractor and was given a one year grace period to shorten to 244". I spent one long weekend+ pulling bolts, redrilling, moving my drives up, re-bolting it all back together. My next tractor was a 236" WB, needless to say. Since the early 90's, for a Canadian customer to order a new tractor over 244", most truck dealers require a signed release of liability, due to several expensive court cases.
The BC port of entry scale at Pac. Hwy. phone is 604-538-1121. They will be happy to explain it to you. To get a copy of all the B.C. transport commercial regs, simply google B.C. commercial transport regs and print off the sections you need.
Good luck, and get back if you have any more questions. And to answer your question, there is no permit available for your truck and trailer combo, but you can bob-tail, with no trailer.
Thanks,
R.F.

 

Hi beltrans,
I got some up-to-date information and chart that explains how the new tolerance policy for the Olympics period works. The chart shows that if your tractor is over the 244", you can buy a special permit if you are able to slide your trailer tandems forward to shorten your trailer wheel base, which would normally be 12.5 meters (41'). With your tractor wheelbase of 270" , the chart shows you could get a permit under the tolerance policy if you can slide your tandems up to a trailer wheelbase of 12.1 meters, which is 39' 7". (Measured from the kingpin to centre of trailer tandems.) Of course, your weights still have to be legal, and your total tractor-trailer length bumper to bumper must be no more than 23 meters.(75') Now you have the rest of the story, as old Paul Harvey used to say. Good luck, drive safely. R.F.

 

Are yearly permits if you're under 65'6" overal length (bumper-bumper) no longer available?

 

Thank you 3noses for a great info and that phone # , I called the scale and they confirmed the numbers you gave here for my wheelbase aplication. Permits available for $30.00 per month. i am licensed for BC, AB, SK and Ontario. As far as I understand Ontario doesn't have such a restriction as western provinces have here.