Stopped by DOT

[LHS Inc]

Has anybody ever been stopped by DOT? About 3 years ago I got pulled over on a section of road that MD State DOT had set up to stop anybody pulling a trailer. My trailer is an 18' landscape trailer and I had two mowers loaded on. Just by the Grace of God when they checked me everything was ok. I can thank my father too for most of what was done right, what he said to do made sense and it worked out.Their biggest pet peeve was the break-away switch. They caught so many people with faulty switches that all the local boat and contractor stores sold out of them. I was fortunate that my trailer was new and the officer didn't even try the switch. I had everything strapped down correctly. Had the right number of orange cones in place of the reflective triangles. It was scary but I passed. I just happened to do everything right. Went on Maryland's website to try to find some info on what the rules are but didn't find anything. I was just wondering if anybody in MD or any other state has had dealings with DOT and would like to share their experience.

 

[tcartwri]

Every time I get stopped I learn a new regulation. I wish they would publish them somewhere. I'm almost an expert now though! after 22 years of driving trucks...

 

[Soundguy]

down here dot won't stop obviously non comercial looking vehicles. ie.. no door sticker or things indicating it might be business.. etc.

I have on very limited occasion seen a dot stop what could be a landscaper or private trailer that had stuff unsecured and overloaded..

soundguy

 

[unbidden]

There is a federal government funded program that involves DOT and State Police departments, possibly some local PD's as well, though I'm not sure about that. Their job is to routinely pull-over and inspect commercial vehicles and there is at least three levels of inspection The full inspection of a semi can take 2 to 3 hours and is extremely thorough. This can be a private haulers nightmare as many of the violations must be fixed on site or the vehicle is towed on the spot (Out of Service). Inspections involve the log books as well. On the other hand there are drivers that welcome the inspections at times because they may be driving a rig that has a maintenance issue that a given company is refusing to address. These DOT and Police Officers go to various training academy's and are tested on all aspects of the laws pertaining to commercial transport, I know that there is such an academy in New Braintree Mass. which is the Mass State Police Acad.

 

[LHS Inc]

In my situation the MD DOT was going after landscaper/mower trailers and the occasional Class A restricted truck/trailer hook-up. Spring thru Fall my area is a hotbed for landscaping and mowing trailers up and down the road. DOT set up in the perfect spot and was nailing cats right and left. They didn't offer a fact sheet on how to be DOT compliant just nail you for what you had wrong. I'm all for safety but it would be nice if we knew what to do.
Since I'll be hauling my JD 3520 on my 10,000 lb trailer it would be nice to know to the correct way to transport it. I do have the 10,000 lb ratchet straps that I"ve been told by a friend is acceptable. I guess I'll overkill just to make sure everything is ok. Any advice on transporting my tractor would be appreciated. I'll check out the MD DOT website again.

 

[tcartwri]

Since I'll be hauling my JD 3520 on my 10,000 lb trailer it would be nice to know to the correct way to transport it. I do have the 10,000 lb ratchet straps that I"ve been told by a friend is acceptable. I guess I'll overkill just to make sure everything is ok. Any advice on transporting my tractor would be appreciated. I'll check out the MD DOT website again.

Eager Beaver trailers has a very good loading and safety video, that I'm sure you could order online. Rules are very specific for wheeled cargo.

 

[Soundguy]

while I'm 100% for road safety.. I get the feeling this was 'revenue' enforcement.. not safety enforcement. and I'm not a fan of that. there are proactive ways to encourage safety involving open citizen training fliers, websites.. IMHO.. the goal should be to let people know what they need to be compliant for whatever they are doing.. vs a myriad of selectively enforced codes that is difficult for the layperson to understand, and periodic military style stops and revenue enforcement...

soundguy

 

[HarryVanderpool]

Every time I get stopped I learn a new regulation. I wish they would publish them somewhere. I'm almost an expert now though! after 22 years of driving trucks...

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

 

[LHS Inc]

while I'm 100% for road safety.. I get the feeling this was 'revenue' enforcement.. not safety enforcement. and I'm not a fan of that. there are proactive ways to encourage safety involving open citizen training fliers, websites.. IMHO.. the goal should be to let people know what they need to be compliant for whatever they are doing.. vs a myriad of selectively enforced codes that is difficult for the layperson to understand, and periodic military style stops and revenue enforcement...

soundguy

You nailed it Soundguy.

 

[Soundguy]

You nailed it Soundguy.

yep.. the goal should always be safety.. and penalties for grosly neglected equipment, and/or multiple violations.

not draconian head chopping whenever the budget is shy...

soundguy