Stopped by DOT

[tlbuser]

So I assume the two chains with two ends = 4 tie down points or do I need a single chain for each tie down point? Tractor and Imps should be under 5000 lbs. Is a two lever binder a chain tightner? I'm just used to strapping down grasscutters.

FCMSR and http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/MMCP/Index.html plus http://www.sha.maryland.gov/OOTS/motorcarrierhandbook.pdf will get you started.
While 2 chains are legal, 4 separate chains and binders will take some of the guess work out of the equation.

 

[Soundguy]

Soundguy, as current LEO and a former local uniformed LEO, I can tell you that you are absolutely 100% correct. The only reason behind increased commercial vehicle enforcement is the revenue that it can generate. Commercial vehicle enforcement is all about justifying the grant money you received for new vehicles and overtime. It's also about the money that the tickets bring in.

comercial fines must tick in pretty good compaired to noncomercial fines.. et least from what I have seen the few times our dump truck was ticketed for a lamp or something...

good money in writing that lil piece of paper..

soundguy

 

[QRTRHRS]

Commercial or not, cleaner, neater (including yourself) will generally get you through with less hassle. Be respectful and do not offer more than asked for. If the officer is a complete jerk and you think you have an argument, save it for the court if you can.

Equipment wise, license, med card, logs aside, for you folks moving mowers and such, it is not that hard. Probably number one/two are the breakaway switch (as mentioned) and the tiedowns. Beyond that, the usual, tires, brakes, lights, proper registratin, three DOT reflectors and the correct, charged fire extinguisher. (Even if not commercial)

You think your being hassled? Try going through with air brakes where one little chaffed air line (not rubbed through) is going to cost you.

Four tiedowns vs two. Yeah yeah yeah, I know all about the 10k, etc. Thing is, especially if you are in a target zone, it is not that much more effort to go with four. Read paragraph one.

Consider this, one of my gigs was hauling pole barn materials throughout PA, NJ, DE, MD, VA, NY, CT. I could have anywhere from just the posts or tin to the complete package loaded on the truck. It may have taken some time now and then but I would have the load tied up like a stuffed turkey. Remember, the guidlines are a minimum. I got hassled over weight but not once did someone hassle me over the tiedowns.

 

[aczlan]

It may have taken some time now and then but I would have the load tied up like a stuffed turkey. Remember, the guidlines are a minimum. I got hassled over weight but not once did someone hassle me over the tiedowns.

I agree with you, when I tie something down, I try to make it so that you could flip the trailer over, shake it, then right it and have everything be securely in place.

Aaron Z

 

[Ductape]

The DOT has not been about safe trucks in about................... oh, twenty years.

 

[unbidden]

Soundguy, as current LEO and a former local uniformed LEO, I can tell you that you are absolutely 100% correct. The only reason behind increased commercial vehicle enforcement is the revenue that it can generate. Commercial vehicle enforcement is all about justifying the grant money you received for new vehicles and overtime. It's also about the money that the tickets bring in.

Some states and city/towns actually figure projected revenue from citations into the proposed budgets... but during campaign time they'll tell you "I am not raising taxes".

Okay, so now I've made it political....... well, what else do we all have to do but b!+<h about taxes and politics :confused2:

 

[wvpolekat]

Some states and city/towns actually figure projected revenue from citations into the proposed budgets... but during campaign time they'll tell you "I am not raising taxes".

Okay, so now I've made it political....... well, what else do we all have to do but b!+<h about taxes and politics :confused2:

I don't see this as a problem, unless they issue citations to match the budget. Obviously, they know they are going to write some number of them them and collect the fines.

 

[dave1949]

The state of Illinois , ( I'm sure you have heard of us we're one of the states that are broke ) has been cracking down on truck and trailers . Things they are watching for ; too light of license plate , D.O.T. numbers anyone hauling for hire (this includes farmers hauling their own grain to market ) , burning off road fuel , log book violations , etc... The responsibility of a unsafe vehicle is now not just the owners problem , but the driver too , a violation stays with his record also . I operate up to date safe equipment and would like to think the truck I just met is safe too . My biggest complaint is , it's a law to have liability insurance , but I still have to carry uninsured motorist coverage:confused2:Insuring all my stuff is enough , but to have to cover myself against the uninsured / underinsured

LOL on the broke state. You have plenty of company. Even Texas is scrounging now.

I agree about the driver. Part of the exam to get a CDL-A is to show the DOT examiner how to do a vehicle safety check here in Maine at least.

Ditto on the 'uninsured' thing. I bet it would be different if your insurance company could sue the state that didn't enforce the mandatory insurance laws. Of course, we would all pay for that with higher taxes but we are paying for it now anyways.
Dave.

 

[Harold_J]

I don't see this as a problem, unless they issue citations to match the budget. Obviously, they know they are going to write some number of them them and collect the fines.

The rage in our area currently is installing "red light" cameras. These will get you for the obvious running a light but also for making a right-on-red without coming to a full stop. The politicians will tell you they're for safety but on the other hand they want to project big increases in fines to help balance the budget of our going broke counties. So technically they're not directly issuing citations to match the budget but they are installing the cameras to balance the budget; it is $$millions per year. My personal feeling is that things like cameras are more for the revenue generation than providing safer roads.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

The rage in our area currently is installing "red light" cameras. These will get you for the obvious running a light but also for making a right-on-red without coming to a full stop. The politicians will tell you they're for safety but on the other hand they want to project big increases in fines to help balance the budget of our going broke counties. So technically they're not directly issuing citations to match the budget but they are installing the cameras to balance the budget; it is $$millions per year. My personal feeling is that things like cameras are more for the revenue generation than providing safer roads.

I am on the other side of the coin on Red Light cameras. Don't run the light or make a stop and there is no ticket involved. I spent some time as a fireman and cleaned up some pretty bad accidents from people running Red and Yellow lights. The impact that someone running a light to save some time is not worth it in my opinion. But that is my opinion. If they get some of my money for running a light or not stopping then it is my bad and I will own up to it.