Re: Towing issues / updates
 

As far as federal find the USC(U.S. code). When I joined the the Coast Guard it was still run by DOT. 82USC comes to mind but its been awaile and that might be just for boats. USC is the laws. Now find the CFR (code of federal regulation) that goes to the USC. The CFR is used to regulate the USC. No CFR for a USC then the USC is meaningless, at least from a law enforment stand point. This is for federal, state is not my area. If i had more time I'd did a little deeper but the FRA is keeping to busy. Take it for what it is, just the way I was able to learn and understand it.

Re: Towing issues / updates
 

As i have said before on this matter i just wish the dot, nj state police and nj dept of motor vehicles could all get together:
3 years ago after speaking with a friend of mine who was a current nj state trooper and another friend who was a police cheif in monmouth county i was told by both of them that after researching ,the only thing i needed to do to be legal in nj at least with my 26 ft trailer and chevy dually was to be sure i had the truck registered for the total combined weight of the truck and trailer, no cdl required, i latter decided to try and get my class a cdl anyway, i went to nj dept of motor vehicles with a picture of my dually and trailer and said i wanted to start the process to get a cdl, and this is what i would be using the license for, and taking the test in as the law states you are to test in the combination you will be driving, those dmv guys are probably still laughing at me , as they said you dont need a cdl to operate that type of rig in nj !!!and you could not use that type of rig to test for cdl anyway!!!!!WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Towing issues / updates
 

Here's an interactive map of the U.S. and Canada that displays local towing laws -

http://towingworld.com/towinglaws.cfm

There are also links to State and Province DMV/DOT offices. While it seems VERY confusing, most of the answers are out there if you know where to look for them.


Lew

Re: Towing issues / updates
 

One of the very few enumerated powers granted to the federal government is to 'make regular' the commerce between the several States. Ironically, it's one of the few things that it doesn't actually do.

Re: Towing issues / updates
 

I figure that would be the case in most states.

Re: Towing issues / updates
 

I would love to write another story on this subject (we did one or two several years ago) but attempting to get clear, concise and legal information is about as easy as solving the deficit problem in this country. If anyone has an "in" to getting the correct info, I'd love to hear from them. I'd also like to interview some troopers who have pulled over racers. That in itself could be a real eye opener. Where did they get the info they're quoting?

Then again, this could really open up a can of worms.

Re: Towing issues / updates
 

I tried to change my registration (probably at the same DMV office) to cover the combined weight. And I was told I could not do it. Spoke to a trooper had no answer to my question.Can't get an answer,but I bet I can get a ticket!

Re: Towing issues / updates
 

when you go to re register the truck just put down the desired weight in the box on the form, they will do it , just dont bother to ask them, sommerville dmv is not customer friendly

Re: Towing issues / updates
 

How would you go about changing the weight of your truck? Unless you live in a state where you're not required to have a title, the weight has already been established when you first titled/registered it. Aren't most states' registration/plate fees based on the weight of each part of the combination, truck and trailer separately?

Lew

Re: Towing issues / updates
 

I have to agree with Lou on this, you can only register the truck to the max weight it's built to carry. The same thing with the trailer. The logical thing is to use the combined gvw's of both. The truck isn't carrying the trailer it's pulling it and that's designed to carry x amount of pounds. I would bet a tag and a fifth wheel have different rules governing the gvw of the truck towing them.
The rules should be simple, if it weighs more than x amount of pounds combined you need a cdl or a form of one to drive it.
How some of these rules are interpreted by some is crazy scary!