FYI:

If you drive into Florida on one of the interstates (I10 or I95), you will hit an "agricultural inspection station". The signs say "all trucks, rental trucks, trailers, etc.".

The only vehicles NOT required to stop (per Florida Agricultural Law Enforcement Policy) are "private passenger AUTOMOBILES with no trailer in tow, travel trailers, camping vehicles, van conversions and motor homes OR pickup trucks not carrying agricultural, horticultural or livestock products and which have visible access to the entire cargo area".

So....if you are in a PICKUP TRUCK and you are TOWING A TRAILER (other than a travel trailer), such as a gooseneck, or a utility, or a rental trailer, you MUST STOP.

I was towing a 12' open utility with my WWII Ford GPW behind by 3500 DRW toter body, and was stopped by Ag cops for failure to enter the inspection station. I was told it is 3 points and a $120 fine. I lucked out with a warning, but I had assumed it only applied to commercial vehicles, or vehicles with agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture of animal products (such as even a private horse trailer). You know about "assume".....

So I can tow the same set up behind an "automobile", and not have to stop, but hooked up to a pickup truck - stop required.

Also, even if "private", non-commercial, not-for-hire, per the Florida DOT pickups hauling trailers are expected to enter weigh stations. The signs say "all trucks"...in some States they say "all commercial vehicles", but not in Florida. So even "hobby" use, race teams, whatever, if not an "RV or a travel trailer" - into the weigh station you go.

Agricultural Stations also have a system (like every 10th or 20th vehicle) will be pulled aside for inspection, so better make certain that you have proof of the ownership of the goods on/in your trailer.

I know a lot of folks travel to Florida, so just wanted to share the info. All the commercial guys know the drill, but for those of us who are non-commercial, we have to adhere to their policy on this as well.

 

So a truck pulling a 5th wheel would not have to stop right?

 

i was pulling a trailer and when i went through the inspection station on 98 north up around perry they just waved me through, i was in a 1/2 ton chevy with a trailer and no load.

 

That's the way I read it too. We're leaving Friday for Fl and I ain't stopping for no DOT. I think I'll print out this thread to show the LEO and see how that goes. Probably go over like a turd in a punch bowl.

 

You don't stop with recreational vehicles, but don't pull a trailer behind your 5th wheel, that's not legal here, but most people do it anyway.

 

First they can't vote on a punch card and now this. What is the world coming too?



Well, you can't blame them in a way. People doing stupid stuff has caused this to happen. Everyone pays for others mistakes. Just the way it works.

 

just got back to texas from florida on sunday morning after i had left the previous sunday. I was towing a 10' utility trailer with a 4 wheeler in it and never got pulled over. just got lucky I guess. but i dont see why people towing a travel trailer or RV dont have to stop. kinda dumb IMO, but I dont write laws either!

 

Yeah, the law doesn't make a lot of sense. But a travel trailer (which is a 5th wheel RV or bumper pull by Florida definition) does not need to stop at the AG or Weigh Stations. Drive a pickup and tow anything BUT a travel trailer and you had better pull into the AG station or risk them running you down. Of course, your RV could be filled with fruit from out-of-state, or maybe even livestock, and you could drive on by....I'll have to create another post to advise how to train cattle not to look out the windows of the travel trailer.....

 

I always carry store receipts for everything I have in my truck in case I need to prove ownership. The government can not and should not trust citizens these days. I completely agree
-P

 

what happens, like in my case, I was barrowing my buddies 4wheeler when I went down there last week. then they ask to see ownership, its not mine, I dont have those papers. what then? curious

 

If you "borrow" a buddies "anything", like his truck, or his ATV, or his travel or utility trailer, and travel out-of-state, you should have a photocopy of his registration tag, or bill of sale, etc., and a document from him giving you permission to use it - not a "law" or requirement, but a suggestion from a former law enforcement officer. I have a buddy who often borrows my utility trailer - he has a photocopy of the trailer reg with a note from me stating he has my permission to use the trailer. I also carry bills-of-sale with me when I transport my OWN "toys" on or in my trailers - so I can PROVE that I am not buying and selling, hence "in commerce" = commercial. Maybe no one would ever stop or bother you, but if they do for some reason, you'll be prepared. Picture yourself sitting by the side of the road, you tell the officer "no, it's not mine, I have no paperwork, it's my buddies and he leant it to me...". You'll sit there while the officer tries to run it through NCIC (if it has a serial #), and if anything else is suspicious you may be cooling your heels for awhile.

 

OK Just put Florida on the list of places I will never be going back to......
And on the list I never send any money to or help out after storms........IF..
You people got to do something about that to get it changed if you want people like me to load my trailer and come do to help out after storms.
The first time I get stoped like that I will leave the state and never be back.
You think I carry papers for all my tools and stuff I need to go down there and do free work cutting trees and helping people.
That stuff is just BS from FLORIDA

 

the reason behind this is NOT to harass but to stop the flow of "KILLER BEES,FRUIT FLIES,SOME WEEDS(PURPLE ONES) THAT ARE KILLING OFF ALL THE COON TAIL...THINGS LIKE THAT

 

It amazes me that a state that was first to pass the Castle doctrine is also the one which citizens put up with this kinds of things.
But this is turning political. I hate politics. I wish I could go and live in a cave, but all caves on this continent are taken.
-P

 

That's an easy one to answer. Florida ran out of Chads to hang so now they're looking to hang everybody else.