8,000# x 18' Car Hauler

[Duffster]

This is all wrong (Not saying it isn't true) and illegal. In our justice system, burden of proof is ALWAYS on the accuser. Meaning, it is up to THEM to prove that you are over your ratings, NOT for you to prove you are not. The only thing they would be able to hold you on is if your weight was over your registration weight. Then, only after weighing you to prove it.

What they are doing in the case you describe is like pulling you over and telling you to prove that you were not speeding or get a ticket. That's just not how it works. They have the burden to prove their accusation. If they cannot, then you walk away.

It is also my understanding that the DOT could care less what your truck is rated to pull, the are arbitrary numbers with little basis in facts. They are completely unregulated. What they DO care about is if you are paying enough tax for your weight. That's what pays the bills. The exception would be something obviously unsafe, and in that case the ticket would be for the unsafe operation, not being overweight.

This is all based on Joe Schmoe and his private pickup and I have no idea how it works once you get into commercial vehicles or hauling for hire. I am sure Kalifornia is different as well.

I would be curious to hear a first hand account of someone getting a ticket for pulling a 10k rated trailer behind an S-10 or Ranger because they COULD exceed the weight rating, not because they ARE.

I was thinking the same thing.

Keep in mind, when it comes to traffic laws, you are more often then not guilty until proven innocent. If you get a speeding ticket, the odds are that you will have to somehow prove that you were not speeding, good luck on that route. What Diamond Pilot is saying is that is the way they sometimes enforce the trailer laws where he lives, they do it that way because they can. If someone wants to fight it, they can, but most judges don't want to mess with that stuff so they will back up the police 99% of the time. If you have the time and money to hire a lawyer, you might stand a better chance of fighting a ticket, but most people don't have the time and money to mess with it.

With a speeding ticket the police have something to prove your guilty though, the radar. As for the tow rating, the accused would have to provide the information for the police to prove you are guilty.

I agree with you guys that it makes no sense and would probably not hold up if challenged but its the way they operate around here. The pick on the little guys all the time like lawn care business and let the hot shotters and truckers roll right on through. That is up until the last couple of weeks I have seen more truckers pulled over than ever before.

Chris

The problem is that most people just lay down because they either don't know there laws or just believe the police are always right, which we all know isn't true.

 

[wvpolekat]

Keep in mind, when it comes to traffic laws, you are more often then not guilty until proven innocent. If you get a speeding ticket, the odds are that you will have to somehow prove that you were not speeding, good luck on that route. What Diamond Pilot is saying is that is the way they sometimes enforce the trailer laws where he lives, they do it that way because they can. If someone wants to fight it, they can, but most judges don't want to mess with that stuff so they will back up the police 99% of the time. If you have the time and money to hire a lawyer, you might stand a better chance of fighting a ticket, but most people don't have the time and money to mess with it.

True, but they are providing proof in the form of radar/camera/laser etc. Then if you choose to dispute it, you can try to discredit them. That is not the same. In these cases, if they wanted to lookup whatever rating the law specifies and use that to judge by, that is acceptable because they are satisfying the burden of proof. But expecting YOU to prove that you are NOT overweight is illegal. THEY have to prove you are overweight. Just like if you are speeding, the officer can't just say "I reckon that he was going 7-8 MPH over the speed limit" and write you a ticket for that violation. It would get thrown out. He did not satisfy the burden of proof.

The problem is people who just "roll over" when these things happen. Once the officer gets away with it, they keep doing it. Once someone fights it and goes to court, they stop. It's all about revenue.

 

[Diamondpilot]

You guys are 100% correct, its all about $$$$. You figure they right 10 tickets a day or more and probably only 5 or so get fought in court. I have had speeding tickets in the past when I was younger and I went to court and won about 7 out of 8 times just because the cop did not bother to show up. I am guessing for every guy who gets a speeding ticket 100 pays the fine.

Chris

 

[FlaDon]

You guys are 100% correct, its all about $$$$. You figure they right 10 tickets a day or more and probably only 5 or so get fought in court. I have had speeding tickets in the past when I was younger and I went to court and won about 7 out of 8 times just because the cop did not bother to show up. I am guessing for every guy who gets a speeding ticket 100 pays the fine.

Chris

And out of state people are less likely to contest them and just pay the fine.

 

[Diamondpilot]

And out of state people are less likely to contest them and just pay the fine.

That is 100% correct. Its a big money game and very little has anything to do with safety.

Chris

 

[yooperdave]

What do you think about this 8,000# trailer?

16Ft, 8,000 lb. Diamond Skid Steer

I wish it were 2' longer, but seems to fit the bill.

Yooper Dave

 

[Diamondpilot]

My concerns is a steel deck can be about impossible to get a tractor on and off with snow or wet. You do a lot of snow from what I remember. Also, what is the empty weight of that thing? Call them and see if you can get it made to your specs at 18'

Chris

 

[George2615]

What do you think about this 8,000# trailer?

16Ft, 8,000 lb. Diamond Skid Steer

I wish it were 2' longer, but seems to fit the bill.

Yooper Dave

I would also vote for getting a wood deck trailer. The trailer link shows it to be 78" wide so that rules out hauling a full size pickup if you ever needed to do so but as an equipment trailer its fine.

 

[LBrown59]

My concerns is a steel deck can be about impossible to get a tractor on and off with snow or wet. You do a lot of snow from what I remember. Also, what is the empty weight of that thing? Call them and see if you can get it made to your specs at 18'

Chris

I would also vote for getting a wood deck trailer. The trailer link shows it to be 78" wide so that rules out hauling a full size pickup if you ever needed to do so but as an equipment trailer its fine.

I'm looking for 8.5' X 18'

 

[Duffster]

The trailer link shows it to be 78" wide so that rules out hauling a full size pickup

I have had no problem.