I need a little help. I have been out of trucking for a long time so I need a refresher on the current rules.

A friend of mine needs some helicopter parts picked up in Redding Ca. and the wife and I are thinking of making the trip for him, and while out there doing some site seeing. We would be pulling my 35’ triple axle flat bed. How will that affect me as far as the DOT and scales?

I remember that CA. used to be more or less a communist state when it came to trucking, but that was back in the early 80s. The only thing I’ll be making off of this run will be our expense.

Can we make a bill of sale that shows me as the owner of the parts and get around some of the red tape?

Thanks in advance.

 

As far as I know, if you own it you can haul it. If you are hauling it for someone else and expect some sort of compensation then you are a "for hire" hauler and the rules kick in.
Tom

 

If you are under the weight limits and the parts are yours your good to go. The bill of sale is and can be a much needed item if you are questioned. Goodluck,,Rick

 

And here I thought I was a "****" when I enforced commercial traffic laws....go figure!

 

Anyone else care to weigh in on this. I have the opinion of two good ole boys and one self-proclaimed ****.

I take it that you are CHP. Do you see any problems with what I want to do or is CA law any different from TX.

 

I'm not from California, but when we were there last summer we never had to stop at the scales. We were pulling our 24' livestock trailer. I am pretty sure that all the scales out there say something to the effect of not wanting pickups to stop. The biggest key is that you aren't in this to make money. You're only a commercial vehicle if you are getting paid. Even if your friend is going to compensate you for fuel, I would hardly consider that getting paid. I wouldn't sweat it. I'de just go get the stuff and if anyone asks just say you picked it up for a friend and you're just doing him a favor.

 

I posted a seperate thread about this but it looks like a good place to ask. Some states have signs that say "Vehicles over 16,000 GVWR (or whatever weight they state) must stop at scales". Does this pertain to only commercials vehicles? Need to know as I'm pulling out in the early am.

 

Checl online with your state DMV. If you are required to get a different liscence for that type of weight then yes you will have stop at the scales

 

Naw, I'm just a retaded...er "retired" blue suit warrior who has worked a "little" commercial traffic. Last time I checked, Pick-up trucks hauling trailers are not required to stop at scales. However, you still want to be certain you do not exceed your GVWR. CHP can flag you if you look overweight and escort you to the scales. Or if its a CHP commercial "E" unit (usually all white cars or trucks) they will probably have portable scales. So, the answer is; make sure you are not overweight, secure your load profesionally, keep the speedo under 60, make sure all lights are working and don't look like a rolling El Paso flea market And you should be ok. And unless you REALLY need to see So. Calif. I would head towards Reno out of Vegas and go over Donner Pass on I-80 west to Interstate 5 north to Redding. Good luck

 

Bigfoot, I was stopped in KY. with a load of trees and told the Officer they were for a friend and I wasn't commercial. He said it must be a real good friend if I was going to haul this for free without charging him fuel or anything. I told him my friend was paying my fuel he said then you are really commercial. So take it for what it is worth? And if you get the bill of sale in your name you might have to pay taxes on the price of the parts. Good luck!

Barry

 

The only way I would go back to so. Cal is if there was no other way. I have never seen anything there that I needed to see again ,Well maybe the Ontario union 76, man that was a regular side show back in the early 80s.
The weight will not be a problem. Only hauling two tail booms and a few other odds and ends. Total payload is only 1,500

 

I think you're good to go. I live in CA. Scales here always say no pickups. Obviously "for-hire" needs to weigh but not private. Estimate your fuel bill before and have your buddy give you cash in advance. Cash is king and untraceable. Most of the truck stops give a cash discount on top of better prices in general for diesel.

The answer is: yes...he's a VERY good friend, he'd do it for me.

Another optional route is coming up through the dessert and joining I-5 @ Kettleman City I believe it is. No big hills that way.

 

Wy. is the only state that requires p.u to cross -at least that is the only state that has indirectly called me to move freight that was being hotshot/bootleg. All other states dont care and if it is yours or your friends, no one cares as long as your not for hire.

 

nebraska requires all pickup pulling trailers to stop at their weigh stations ( no rv`s) i can`t figure this .... if i pull a trailer with a suv,like a hummer, i don`t have to stop

 

I have done a little more checking on this.(I will be leaving on the 31st) So I have another question. After talking with the (Texas) DOT it seems that if the TT combo weight is / can be more than 26000 then I will need to renew my CDL. Now I’m wondering if I will need DOT medical card or seeing as how I’m hauling my own things if that will be waved. Any info will be appreciated.