Permitted load stopping at truck stops

I've seen it done on 70, 71 and 75. Get up in the am and there's a bear outside the truckstop waiting. I knew what they were waiting for.

I guess I've never thought that it was a big deal. Can't remember exactly where, in Ohio, but I was traveling northbound. Went to a rest area, dropped the trailer, bobtailed to the truck stop, topped off the tanks, ate, did a triple S, got back on the interstate, crossed the southbound scale, flipped, crossed the northbound scale, pulled back into the rest area, hooked the trailer, shut her down.

They (Ohio) actually did a pretty good design on their rest area parking. I was 12 wide and near 100 ft long the last load I took through there. The spaces were big enough that I didn't block traffic AND more importantly, I could get out in the morning!. (Had an incident in that first rest area in Kentucky on 75 south of Cincinnati where my pilot cars and I had to beat on a dozen trucks to get them to move.)

Thing is, depending on the load and the holiday, if you get stuck in Buckeye and have to sit for a couple days, you want the nicer truck stops. And you can't always tell exactly where and how far you can make it.

 

Most state patrols won't bother you, it's the county sheriffs that will. I drop at the fuel mart at exit 66 on 70 (well used to I hardly do it any more) but I've dropped everything up to the 9 axle there with out a problem. A lot of mornings theres a full grown shooting 70 west bound in the back from the top of the ramp, he's never bothered me once, go on east into Madison county and it's game on.

 

that same sheriff stop one of my friends running down the road. guess what for? 58 mph. wrote it up as a permit violation. could of been worse. could of voided permit and wrote a few more tickets. but my friend was cool with the sheriff and that makes the difference sometimes. had a sheriff stop me north of cincy one morn, southbound. checked my permit measured my load and checked my chains. I'm thinkin this could get real ugly! came back to the truck and said everything is good, and by the way found a loose chain but I tightened it up for you. cool dude!

 

When you all get Ohio problems worked out remember PA and NC require TS's on permit.
I have personally been stopped in PA, no ticket but if your heavy they will be smiling as they write.

 

Pa does, Nc no longer does…..

 

And a thread like this demonstrates why I do not care for hauling OD loads. You can in this state, can't in this state, ain't supposed to here but they won't say nothing, county mountie in so-and-so county is a jerk...and on and on. Just too many opportunities for trouble. Considering the extra time they usually take, the extra expense, and the extra hassle, I'd just as soon pass on them. And I don't haul enough of them to ever get a good knowledge base like some of you have. I like flatbedding...been doing it 23 years...but I'll leave the OD stuff to other fellows as much as I can.

 

Ohio/PA - Off highway stops need to be listed on permits. That is part of route planning in these two states. Other states, you are allowed I believe up to 1 mile off he main High Way for fuel. Size of load may very. Check with company permit department/Call state permit department before running load. Make sure you get it in writing and a persons name. Have them email it to you. If you have questions call and verify. States will come back with what they deem is o.k. for your route.

Also, some states want you to only fuel on the side of the freeway you are getting off on. No left turns under the freeway to get fuel. I think that was Ohio as well.

 

I don't run PA much. Ohio I have. Never had any problems.
Weigh Station on I-74 EB IN/OH state line stopped me. Informed me the state of Ohio does not care about flags on the truck and trailer, "That is legal width" we want flags on the load. HE says "You can leave without moving flags BUT the County Sheriffs know the law and will give you a ticket"
I thought it was nice, First not to get a ticket than informing me of the County Mounty riding his high horse.
Flagged the load and went down the road.
Also I haven't had T/S on permits, I don't haul heavy may be that is the difference.
In Ohio and most times with OD. I don't cross sides of route to fuel.
You never know when you will need a potty break.
How do you plan for that on a permit.

 

In Ohio if your on a trip permit you have to request the Truckstop when you do the route request. They don't care about your "potty" break.

 

They do if I park on the shoulder for it. hahha
Yes I know the (most) rules. I don't ever speed either. haha