Hauling wrecked/salvaged autos

A heads-up for anyone who is looking to haul wrecked or salvaged autos on car carrier.

23 CFR part 658 defines "automobile transport" as: "Any vehicle combination designed and used specifically for the transport of assembled highway vehicles, including truck camper units."

Any vehicle combination meeting this definition gets special length considerations (extra length, overhang allowances, etc.)

In 1998 there was issued a "technical correction" to that definition, found here: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-1998-12-22/html/98-33760.htm

In this technical correction, it was further defined that:

If you haul wrecks or salvaged autos which could not pass a safety inspection, you may not meet the definition of "automobile transport". Wrecked autos are not considered to be vehicles, and are considered "freight". You could be measured like a freight hauler and could be cited for overlength.

Just wanted to give you a heads-up before you take one of these loads.

Be safe.

 

This is a rule for everybody, not just jack-@@@es.

Yes, one wreck will take you out of the Automobile Transport definition.

It is a rule that has been around a long time, is public knowledge. I am sure COPART will not tell you about it, though.

 

Those loads heading to Mexico or Central America are really messed up many times.

We have shut a bunch of them down here in our lot.

Unsafe vehicles, unsafe combinations, improper licenses, etc. etc.....

 

Don't forget people, the special length limits are there for "Automobile Transports" because they are "specialized equipment"! They are outside and in excess of the NORMAL length limits.

Years ago truck-tractor/semitrailer length limit was 48 ft trailer including load. Now it is 53 ft trailer including load Federally (57 ft or more some states).

If you want the SPECIAL "75 ft plus overhangs" Federal length limit for Automobile Transports, then what you are hauling has to meet the definition for an Automobile Transport - "assembled (capable of being driven, not wrecked) autos".

If you do not meet the SPECIAL definition, then you fall back to NORMAL length limits. That's all! No one is picking on you or kicking you in the ###!