Do you qualify as an "automobile transporter?"

I've been warning guys with high-mounts that they where taking a major risk by assuming they would be treated as carhaulers when the law was pretty plain that they were nothing but fancy flatbeds as far as the dimensional rules went.

Also, most of them don't realize if you have a head rack and are not stinger-steered, most places have a 65' overall length limit.

Thanks for the heads up!

One more edit: Let the wailing and gnashing of teeth begin!

 

Your right and it is correct but here is the problem it IS LEGAL in a lot of states and some states that it is not legal in do NOT enforce it, so now what?


Also it burns my ### to no end the states that have a 53 no overhang law, WHY you ask? Tomorrow I would like you to ticket EVERY 53 reefer that comes through your port.

I DO appreciate the heads up, but it would really help if we knew which stae you were in,

THX Stan

 

I got pulled into the scale house in Oregon with my trailer being about 4'' over 53' because of the shackles on the front, (they measured it), and then I had the ramps slid out 2' on the rear. The overhang was ok, but they didn't like the over length trailer. I told them what I thought about their sorry irrational rules. They let me go......

 

BTW, Welcome to the Auto Haul section Keitht.

 

Keith, what state are you in? Just curious as I have seen a recent uptick in length enforcement in New York State, although it is inconsistent throughout the state. NY V&T law does recognize a "high mount" as a automobile transporter even without the cab carrier (at least that is what our lawyer tells us), but there has been a difference of opinion on exactly how to measure the overhang on units without cab carriers and if overhang is permissible, especially when pulling a 53' trailer. I personally have had one MCE officer cite me twice on a Federal highway for rear overhang, while two others have inspected me and said have a nice day. One such inspection took place with the same load I was cited for a length violation earlier in the day, without any modification to the load! One officer in particular believes I am not allowed any overhang at all on my 53' trailer, while most other MCE officers in the state (even others from his own Troop) say I am permitted 4' to the rear of my trailer provided my extensions (which I never use) do not exceed 18", and 3' to the front of my cab with no restriction between my cab and trailer. The compliance section in Albany stated verbally, but would not put it in writing as an official opinion, that I could have unlimited overhang to the front of my trailer but none to the rear of my trailer with a 53' high-mount. I currently am scheduled to go to court on this next month with the help of the Empire State Towing Association, who just successfully lobbied to get a legislative change to the NY 40' straight truck rule, allowing 3' of rear overhang on straight trucks that meet the definition of tow truck in New York.

As for the 65' rule, most states have a overall length rule that applies to all tractor trailer combinations, except stinger steer automobile and boat transporters, but this only applies when off the National Network (SSA routes) or outside of the reasonable access exemptions. My home state, Pennsylvania, had to grant me special access just to come the 9 miles down a state highway to my yard as the road does not allow a length greater than 65' or width greater than 96" if your trailer is greater than 28,5', both of which I exceed empty.

One other word of caution, there are several states that do not allow you to haul salvage or inoperable vehicles, even on a stinger steer unit, and still take advantage of the overhang or even the total length exemptions as salvage is not considered a motor vehicle, just freight. One inop in the load can exclude you from the overhang provisions, which will really ruin your day if you have to remove it to continue on your way.

As for my wishful thinking opinion, I would like to see high-mounts allowed to have the same overall dimensions as stingers, meaning 75' bumper to bumper and 3' and 4' overhangs with no restriction on front of trailer overhang as this would be limited by the overall length restriction, although I could compromise on 3' front of trailer, especially if you have a cab carrier. As an operator of high-mounts in local shuttle service service a three state area I could use this relief. I do see that some operators push the limits, using 300+" wheelbase tractors to pull their 53' high-mounts with a full size pickup truck hanging off the nose of the trailer, this is just reckless. Just my two cents.

 

We had a MCE officer in NY cite us for something similar in 2009, our 2000 Miller trailer had the front deck tie down ratchets welded to the front of the trailer, this officer insisted we were over 53' by having these tie downs welded to the front of the trailer. Mind you, the trailer came thru the factory that way and cargo securement devices are specifically excluded from size measurements, but he wrote it any how. Wrote us three citations over a 6 week period before we went to court, of course all the citations were dismissed and the officer was re-educated.

I have a great deal of respect for the law enforcement personnel, however, I wish the states and US DOT would do a better job of educating the field personnel, and that they would be more consistent in enforcement from state to state or even within the same state.

 

Back in the mid 90's Hadley Auto Transport and the Arizona Trucking Assn. successfully lobbied for a 6' rear and 4' front total overhang on stinger steered equipment.

 

Stan, I would like to see the refers cited as well, except they are allowed the extra length since the refer does not increase cargo capacity, same as the aero bubbles for on the front of some trailers. I don't think it is fair to exclude the refer unit from the overall length since without the refer unit they could not carry any temperature sensitive cargo, it should count against their overall trailer length just like it does with us.

You are in the same boat I am, you use a traditional high-mount trailer because it fits your business model, but we are penalized by some states because we are not "real" car haulers. I think it is time to recognize there is more than one type of truck suitable for car haul.

 

Long overdue, but where to start?