CHP are picky, aren't they? Checking axle length

Well....what's your point?

 

If the DOT guy busts me for being under 10 feet from the furthestmost rear of the trailer to the rear axle, I would drop the trailer and have them crawl their happy tail up under there and measure it from the center of the kingpin to the center of the rear axle or center of the rear axles whichever was required for the jurisdiction.

 

Maybe he just came on duty and he just bought the tape measure. He wanted to try it out... ya' know... new toys.

mark

 

The scales in Texas are rarely open,and I run through Texas constantly.Thats laughable that you could even compare Texas DOT with Cali.Its not even close.California looks for reasons to write you a ticket.And I have an overlength ticket at that very scale house on Tehachapi,only because he couldnt find anything else wrong when he inspected me.Ive never even been close to a Dot in Texas.

 

All they have to do is count the holes on where your pjn is set on your tandems to determine length.The officer was obviously not privy to this.There was no need for him to measure unless he was just trying to make him sweat,or he was just to green to know.

 

You can spec a trailer with different lengths of slider track.

Also, different manufacturers use different hole spacing.

 

Not only that but what about the guys who are installing the slide rails up under the trailer on a Friday afternoon and want to get on home to drink some cold ones and play cards, do you think they are gonna try real hard to set those rails on target or just get em close enough and call it a day?

 

all the guys and gals that went by while you were entertaining the CA dot thank you i am sure...lol

 

You adjust the amount of holes for the spacing.Trailers use either 3 inch or six inch spacing.The length of the slider track is usually pretty standard on newer trailers.Any body with any spatial intelligence could look at the rear trailer tire and see if your overlength or at least close enough to warrant closer inspection.Bottom line,this scale is rarely open,but when it is they look for overlength trailers and will write you a citation for it.