Methanol limits

Arc Angel · Jun 9, 2008

Does anyone know if there is an amount of methanol I can haul without a commercial tag. Got a deal on 1000 gallon amounts in the Seattle area but have to cross two state lines, Mt-ID-Wash, and would hate to have to spend the summer in jail.
Mark

dieseldave56 · Jun 9, 2008

I wold call the highway patrol for the states in question, ask for the weigh station officer. My dad used to be a CHP and spent his last ten years working the scales.

crashz · Jun 9, 2008

Check with DOT in all three states. They may only require a MSDS, manifest, approved haul route, placarded vehicle, and labled containers.

With that quantity though, a Hazmat certified hauler may need to be employed.

john_bud · Jun 10, 2008

Arc Angel said:
Does anyone know if there is an amount of methanol I can haul without a commercial tag. Got a deal on 1000 gallon amounts in the Seattle area but have to cross two state lines, Mt-ID-Wash, and would hate to have to spend the summer in jail.
Mark

Let's ignore the hazmat side for a minute. 1000 gal of methanol would weigh like 8-9000 pounds depending on how it's packaged. You need a USDOT number when the vehicle and load is 10,001 pounds or more. So, just on the weight alone you are going to require a commercial tag unless you are pulling it on a 300# trailer with a 250 honda! (no way you can bamboozle a state trooper that you are using 1000 gal of anything for personal reasons !!).

Hauling 1000 gal of a flamable liquid across 3 states will make your wallet tingle if caught. I guess if you can have the whole deal fit in the bed of a pick up and you don't mind the financial risk of a huge series of tickets, a possible tow of your truck, loss of the load, etc.... Then again, maybe better to have it hauled...

Arc Angel · Jun 10, 2008

The weight will be more lke 6200 lb. which is about half of the gross for the trailer I am using and 1000 gal is not a lot as personal use amounts, as that will only make 5000 gal of fuel. That will last less than 10 days during harvest.

Have called about legalities to the local authorities and have gotten everything from can't be done, to no problem, to run at night.

Diamondpilot · Jun 10, 2008

john_bud said:
Let's ignore the hazmat side for a minute. 1000 gal of methanol would weigh like 8-9000 pounds depending on how it's packaged. You need a USDOT number when the vehicle and load is 10,001 pounds or more. So, just on the weight alone you are going to require a commercial tag unless you are pulling it on a 300# trailer with a 250 honda! (no way you can bamboozle a state trooper that you are using 1000 gal of anything for personal reasons !!).

You do not need Dot #'s to tow that weight for personal use. Just think about it. Anyone with a F-150 and a bass boat is over 10,000# total. Anyone with a 1 ton pickup and a 5th wheel camper is close to 20,000# I am sure the stopper is the hasmat concern. I sell trailer for a living in my marine business and regulary sell boats and trailer that weigh 12,000# to 25,000#. No dot #'s are necessary for personal use.

Chris

Arc Angel · Jun 10, 2008

That was my thought on the weight part, The DOT is not sure about the hazmat yet. Hope I can just placard and sail. Waiting for a call. Thanks for the input. If I get out of Washington I will be OK as the local police are pretty human.
Mark

john_bud · Jun 11, 2008

Diamondpilot said:
You do not need Dot #'s to tow that weight for personal use. Just think about it. Anyone with a F-150 and a bass boat is over 10,000# total. Anyone with a 1 ton pickup and a 5th wheel camper is close to 20,000# I am sure the stopper is the hasmat concern. I sell trailer for a living in my marine business and regulary sell boats and trailer that weigh 12,000# to 25,000#. No dot #'s are necessary for personal use.

Chris

If you say so, but.....

He said it will make fuel for harvest. Sounds like he is a farmer. And it sounds like he will use the fuel in his farm machines. Machines that are used on his farm that is a commercial enterprise. It's a little thing, but that defines it as a commercial use and no longer personal use, USDOT #'s are needed for commercial use when the truck, trailer, person and load actual weight is 10,001 pounds or more. It's a federal thing. It's been beat around a lot too as it seems to be very strict and aimed at slamming the little guy with wads of extra paper work. (and I agree with that!)

Oh, the methanol alone is 6,630#. (I looked it up - should have done that earlier and not guessed as my guess stunk.)

Hey, it's not my wallet! They only fine you after you're caught.

jb

Arc Angel · Jun 11, 2008

John bud
The state says the fuel is for personal use as long as it is not sold to another individual, or used in interstate commerce. If I make my own for use in my machines or furnace they have no issues. Ag laws are funny when it comes to fuel, herbicides and other chemicals.

On a side note, my furnace is running as we got 4 inches of snow last night!!!My garden does not look happy.

john_bud · Jun 13, 2008

Arc Angel said:
John bud
The state says the fuel is for personal use as long as it is not sold to another individual, or used in interstate commerce. If I make my own for use in my machines or furnace they have no issues. Ag laws are funny when it comes to fuel, herbicides and other chemicals.

On a side note, my furnace is running as we got 4 inches of snow last night!!!My garden does not look happy.

Yeah, that's where you are going to get hooked hard by the boys in blue one day. Crossing state lines to get something for your farm is a "commercial transaction" as part of interstate commerse. Federal law takes over when you cross state lines, even if you are legit at home, you can be at risk after crossing a boarder. I know - it makes little to no sense, but some states have been even ticketing guys pulling dragsters across state lines and horse trailers that are going to shows. They have defined "commercial" as participating in contests where a prize is won. Even a ribbon counts! Total crock of organic fertilizer in my opinion, but they didn't ask me!

4 inches of snow! Dern that global warning! Why won't we listen to that paragon of virture, Al Gore and give up our possessions, move to a Mongolian monastary, eat roots, nuts and transcribe scrolls?

Good luck with the methanol!
jb