Running in California

Is there a decent thread on the ins and outs of driving in California for an O/O that is based in another state? I get the jist that it is a hassle but what does that mean in practical terms to an O/O with a single flatbed 15 yr old truck who may only go there a few times per year?
Thank you

 

As far as CARB is concerned, your legal options for a 15 year-old truck:

1) Drive less than 5,000 total miles per year in all states
or
2) Drive less than 1,000 miles per year inside California
or
3) one 3-day pass per year
or
4) retrofit a CARB-approved passive DPF
or
5) retrofit a 2010+ engine & emissions system
or
6) buy a 2008+ truck


There is a legal challenge to the retrofit requirement currently in the courts; the ruling is expected in April. I would not spend a bunch of money until then.


Other California rules:

65' overall length limit everywhere in the state except interstates & the national network. Most highway trucks are 75-80' The exception is I-580 in Oakland, which is off limits to all trucks.

If your trailer is longer than 48', the center of the rear axle can be no farther than 40' from your kingpin.

You will need an intrastate permit to run loads that do not leave California.

California charges a tax for corporations earning money inside the state.

 

Stop at Barstow an wait till the scales at cajon pass close. They'll close about ten o'clock. Whatever you do don't go across the scales at Banning. When you come back out hit the empty lane at the scales if they're open. If you do it this way you won't have any trouble. I've done it many of times.

 

Pm me if you have any questions.

 

I didn't think it would be that soon, more or less expecting a ruling sometime in July or August, but because it has to be binding - the SC should be hearing the case.

 

Just going by this: http://www.orovillemr.com//general-...nty-judge-to-make-diesel-filter-determination

Self reported I believe.

 

OK that's a different case from the OOIDA v carb. The case you are talking about is about defective filters and the issues surrounding them at the county level, not the federal level and is internal to the state.

The issue for the OOIDA and most of us is simple - California can not under any means go beyond the agreement they have with other states to force owners/companies to retrofit their trucks to fit their emission laws which means that they are limiting the access to the markets in California, something that only the feds can do, regulate interstate commerce. If the feds are to use the interstate commerce clause as their supreme law to dictate to us on a lot of issues, they can not allow California to do what they want to do no matter what. It has to be the feds or the trucks home state that are the deciding factor what equipment must be on the truck.

there is also another issue on the constitutional level where the states can not refuse entry of any citizen with no restrictions from any one state, transportation is not defined in the constitution so it is open to that of a horse, truck or plane or even a tortoise. There are limitations to this through other laws but nothing has yet been addressed by the sc about any limitations and they seem to fall under the due process decisions - example parolees may not be allowed to travel.

So right now I told my drivers go to California and if they stop you, get the ticket and be on the way, we would address this in federal court here in Michigan. They have not been stopped yet and most likely won't be for emissions.

 

Also, have your truck well maintained /legal. You might get inspected. I have been inspected many times in CA and have never been treated badly. They have found minor problems and I just got a fix it ticket. Not a fine. I have been cited once for having my tandems at 41.5' on a '53 van. $87 17 years ago. Had to slide them forward and then move 1000 lbs of cargo to get my axle weight legal. Big waste of time. CA has some dumb laws. If you comply with their dumb laws (55 mph/lane restrictions ) you are usually ok.

I used to like running CA. I don't really want to go there anymore. My truck is an '03. Non-carb compliant.

If you get caught for 70 or over 70 mph (not sure which exactly ) I've heard you are in big trouble.

 

Over 69mph is a felony in a commercial vehicle.