LowBoy
Senior Member
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2006
- Messages
- 1,149
- Location
- Southern Vt. on the Mass./NH borders
- Occupation
- Owner, Iron Mountain Iron & Equipment (Transport)
Retightening chains while in transit...
I've been nailed twice in the past 2 weeks by DOT (end of the year quotas,...) once in Ct. and next in New York State. Both times I just left the loading point, and an hour later I was apprehended by the Long Arm of the Law. Both times ONE chain was slightly looser than the other ones due to settlement, etc. Even though I asked the officer if I could tighten it up, and DID, it was still written up and listed on the inspection report that is sent to Wash. D.C. as "loose chain on such-&-such corner of equipment".:nono
I've been moving/hauling equipment in class 8 vehicles locally and long distances since 1978. No matter what you do to try and comply COMPLETELY with DOT & FMCSR's, believe me, if they are told by their superiors to write tickets, they're gonna write tickets. Whether it be in a brand spankingly new Peterbilt or a nostalgic old Brockway, normally you can't win the battle. Not once Beuford T. Justice makes up his mind that you're wrong. Then it's a matter of deciding if you want to spend the time, money and energy to go to night court at 7:30 p.m. on a Thursday evening in some town garage's makeshift courtroom, and stand in front of the judge that's usually also the dog catcher, the justice 'o peace, and the mailman...And still have it cost you a $25 fee for court costs even if you are found innocent of the crime, as they do in New York State. (I've had to play this silly game 3 times in NY in 20 years.):Banghead
The bottom line is to try and do as the Federal rules indicate, that supercede all state and local ones.(That is also explained in the rules, that no state or locality shall add to or delete from Federal reg's..., paraphrased of course.)
I've been nailed twice in the past 2 weeks by DOT (end of the year quotas,...) once in Ct. and next in New York State. Both times I just left the loading point, and an hour later I was apprehended by the Long Arm of the Law. Both times ONE chain was slightly looser than the other ones due to settlement, etc. Even though I asked the officer if I could tighten it up, and DID, it was still written up and listed on the inspection report that is sent to Wash. D.C. as "loose chain on such-&-such corner of equipment".:nono
I've been moving/hauling equipment in class 8 vehicles locally and long distances since 1978. No matter what you do to try and comply COMPLETELY with DOT & FMCSR's, believe me, if they are told by their superiors to write tickets, they're gonna write tickets. Whether it be in a brand spankingly new Peterbilt or a nostalgic old Brockway, normally you can't win the battle. Not once Beuford T. Justice makes up his mind that you're wrong. Then it's a matter of deciding if you want to spend the time, money and energy to go to night court at 7:30 p.m. on a Thursday evening in some town garage's makeshift courtroom, and stand in front of the judge that's usually also the dog catcher, the justice 'o peace, and the mailman...And still have it cost you a $25 fee for court costs even if you are found innocent of the crime, as they do in New York State. (I've had to play this silly game 3 times in NY in 20 years.):Banghead
The bottom line is to try and do as the Federal rules indicate, that supercede all state and local ones.(That is also explained in the rules, that no state or locality shall add to or delete from Federal reg's..., paraphrased of course.)