florida with a 53 foot spread axle

None of them are really secret anymore..... And in case you haven't heard they are putting in pads at the exits you get off to go around the wildwood scale, so you better find a new "secret route".... I'm not sure if they are doing all of them or not yet, I sure hope not....

 

It's not illegal to go around florida scales, is it ?

 

Nope........

 

Thank God......

 

if I had to guess, based on your picture, you don't have 41' from kingpin to center rear axle group, and obviously not rear axle. Since FL doesn't recognize any difference between a spread or tandems weight wise, 44,000 lbs either way, I can't see them not calling a fixed spread an axle group. If the center of your spread is 41' or less from the kingpin, I'd fight that ticket.

 

Not sure if this helps but its under Florida Statutes 316.515 Maximum Width, Height, Length

b) Semitrailers.--
1. A semitrailer operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer combination may not exceed 48 feet in extreme overall outside dimension, measured from the front of the unit to the rear of the unit and the load carried thereon, exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices approved by the department for use on vehicles using public roads, unless it complies with subparagraph 2. A semitrailer which exceeds 48 feet in length and is used to transport divisible loads may operate in this state only if issued a permit under s. 316.550 and if such trailer meets the requirements of this chapter relating to vehicle equipment and safety. Except for highways on the tandem trailer truck highway network, public roads deemed unsafe for longer semitrailer vehicles or those roads on which such longer vehicles are determined not to be in the interest of public convenience shall, in conformance with s. 316.006, be restricted by the Department of Transportation or by the local authority to use by semitrailers not exceeding a length of 48 feet, inclusive of the load carried thereon but exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices approved by the department for use on vehicles using public roads. Truck tractor-semitrailer combinations shall be afforded reasonable access to terminals; facilities for food, fuel, repairs, and rest; and points of loading and unloading.
2. A semitrailer which is more than 48 feet but not more than 53 feet in extreme overall outside dimension, as measured pursuant to subparagraph 1., may operate on public roads, except roads on the State Highway System which are restricted by the Department of Transportation or other roads restricted by local authorities, if:
a. The distance between the kingpin or other peg that locks into the fifth wheel of a truck tractor and the center of the rear axle or rear group of axles does not exceed 41 feet, or, in the case of a semitrailer used exclusively or primarily to transport vehicles in connection with motorsports competition events, the distance does not exceed 46 feet from the kingpin to the center of the rear axles; and
b. It is equipped with a substantial rear-end underride protection device meeting the requirements of 49 C.F.R. s. 393.86, "Rear End Protection."

The Daytona 500 brings in a lot of money so they made sure to make an exemption for trucks associated with motorsports.

 

I remember someone stating those semis were getting pulled over for not being registered as CMVs. But since they make money, they are considered to be CMVs. Go figure.

 

They get an exemption as they run as "Not for Hire"

 

Maybe his back roads are better than the guys that use the exit before idea. I was taught if your going around a scale you should go way around.

 

Just so you all know, if you do have a trailer that doesn't meet the kingpin rule and want to haul in FL, you can buy a $20 annual permit that exempts you from the kingpin rule.