Trailer gate....Goodbye NHRA in Ca

[None]

I see Barny Fife waiting at the bottom of I-15 hill, hiding in his camoflauged WW1 motorcycle and side car. (Check Point Chickie) Ticket book in hand!

All States have wacky truck laws. Wyoming, it is hard haul tires because they settle as you drive and buldge out the sides of the trailer and they won't issue an oversize permit for a van trailer. Utah you can't move oversize on weekends or holidays. Pioneer day is a holiday in Utah. If and when Epping, NH opens the teams will have a big problem in the Norteast.

 

[TooTall999]

There are no 56' trailers.
What makes them a 56' is the interpretation. My trailer for example is a 53' Champion with a 3' top to bottom, side to side flush mounted genset on the nose of the trailer, therefore bringing the added on total length to 56'.

California is a pathetic state, and their thinking is consistant. They deserve to lose the millions of dollars of commerce in order to collect a few thousands in overlength citations.
And they wonder how they got themselves in such financial trouble..

Which makes it too long to tow into California and Indiana. If you don't want to end up on a lowboy getting hauled out of the state, why not build a legal trailer? Whether the state is pathetic or not is irrelevant, the facts are simple, 56' trailer breaks the law.

 

[StockersRock]

All States have wacky truck laws. Wyoming, it is hard haul tires because they settle as you drive and buldge out the sides of the trailer and they won't issue an oversize permit for a van trailer. Utah you can't move oversize on weekends or holidays. Pioneer day is a holiday in Utah. If and when Epping, NH opens the teams will have a big problem in the Norteast.

Connecticut was a big problem for the NASCAR Cup guys when they started running Loudon, with the teams having to go up through New York and then cut across to NH. A few years later, Connecticut loosened it's restrictions, and now those guys get up to Loudon with no problem. I don't see the NHRA guys having an issue.

 

[glofria]

This is becoming more entertaing than watching the racing.

Isn't that part of the fine. The fact that California now has to break it's own law(s) in order to accomodate those who choose to break the law. It's like rationalizing with a cop when you get pulled over for speeding and say they had to break the law by speeding in order to catch you. They'll just tell you they're not breaking the law when enforcing the law.

I say the CHP should give these guys the freedom of choice, use the flatbed or use a sawzall.

 

[Marchboom]

I know the law is the law and you have to draw the line somewhere. But, geez, what will 3 additional feet of trailer length hurt?

Now if we were talking about excessive weight, that's a different story. Excessive weight damages roads.

 

[TR]

What's the height restriction, or is just so you don't take out a bridge?

Rick

 

[Muddy]

With length it's the navagation problems. With just a foot or two more in length it becomes much harder to turn a corner and the trailer begins to destroy curbs, parked cars, traffic signals etc.

 

[George.]

So if you think that argument will fly, why dont they all claim they have a 46' trailer-they just have a 10' side to side/ top to bottom flush mounted lounge on the nose of the trailer?

I'm not disagreeing with you or David, but the genset is an aftermarket part that's bolted onto the front of the trailer, and isn't an original part of the 53' trailer shell when built. Same as adding on a bike rack to a travel trailer. Does it now become the legal length? Therefore it's interpretation.
Now, trying to argue that point to a cop who doesn't want to hear it means it's a 56' trailer in my book, and therefore illegal.

 

[clwill]

There are no 56' trailers.
What makes them a 56' is the interpretation. My trailer for example is a 53' Champion with a 3' top to bottom, side to side flush mounted genset on the nose of the trailer, therefore bringing the added on total length to 56'.

Guy on a race team in another forum says that's not true. A lot of them are 56' before the genset was added. And he knows of a promod team with a 58' before the genset was put on.

 

[badger]

Trailer length laws have been widely known for quite some time. The feds came up with the magic 53' length and any trailer manufacturer who knowingly builds in excess of that limit assumes the risk of selling it to a potential customer? If the customer knowingly purchases a trailer in excess of 53' he assumes the risk of not getting caught and fined?

Revenue generation is a no brainer, unfortunately California does'nt get it?
CHP could easily issue the citation for overlength, and with a simple change in the language (administrative rules) in 2011 "Moonbat Jerry" could have authorized CalTrans to issue a special permit, at a premium, and give the operator the choice of pay or leave. Simple!

California politics have ruined that state and it's a sad state of affairs when the voters continue to empower those who have no clue?

Just say'n?

 

[rocketman]

First off this whole thing is Govy running amuck. Here are a few things to consider though.

First, federal highway laws are uniform nationwide and there are a lot of grey areas.

Second, why are the trailer companies building trailers that do not meet the federal gov. standards in the first place? I could never understand that.

I have been in TF trailers complete with a lounge that are the legal size.

CHP were warning racers after the nationals 2 years ago in Sonoma not to come back until they had trailers the legal size. Many of these were sportsman racers with combos of a toter and a trailer

When i was racing at Sonoma I asked a CHP officer that was there about the "not for hire" signs on my truck and he said it was a GOOD THING to have them on there.

Teams were warned at Vegas about this possible problem and almost everyone was told of a route around the banning weight station. Many that are illegal are simply driving past the scales or taking the alternative route. The Banning station is a training station i have heard.

Sadly steve was made an example of and I also heard the CHP will be watching sunday and monday.

The big expense is the tow out of state not the fines. California's political climate has been distroyed by similar stunts by environmental agencies that are on a power trip.

 

[George.]

Guy on a race team in another forum says that's not true. A lot of them are 56' before the genset was added. And he knows of a promod team with a 58' before the genset was put on.

I can't imagine any team being so "confident" that they would order a special over-length trailer, and then take their chances in a landmine (DOT) filled state like Cali.. If that is true David, then the race teams have no right to complain if they are towed out of the state on a drop deck. They can now take their 500K investment and start choppin' it up...
Stupid thing to do to gain a couple of feet.

 

[None]

First off this whole thing is Govy running amuck. Here are a few things to consider though.

First, federal highway laws are uniform nationwide and there are a lot of grey areas.

Second, why are the trailer companies building trailers that do not meet the federal gov. standards in the first place? I could never understand that.

I have been in TF trailers complete with a lounge that are the legal size.

CHP were warning racers after the nationals 2 years ago in Sonoma not to come back until they had trailers the legal size. Many of these were sportsman racers with combos of a toter and a trailer

When i was racing at Sonoma I asked a CHP officer that was there about the "not for hire" signs on my truck and he said it was a GOOD THING to have them on there.

Teams were warned at Vegas about this possible problem and EVERYONE was told of a route around the banning weight station. Many that are illegal are simply driving past the scales or taking the alternative route.

Sadly steve was made an example of and I also heard the CHP will be watching sunday and monday.

The big expense is the tow out of state not the fines. California's political climate has been distroyed by similar stunts by environmental agencies that are on a power trip.

From Las Vegas to Pomona you need to get around the Cajon scales. From Pomona to Phoenix you need to get around the Banning scales. You can do both. You can also do Sonoma to Kent, but it will be a long way out of route. In California if you are not on the National Network there is a 65' max overall length.

 

[n/a]

I can't imagine any team being so "confident" that they would order a special over-length trailer, and then take their chances in a landmine (DOT) filled state like Cali.. If that is true David, then the race teams have no right to complain if they are towed out of the state on a drop deck. They can now take their 500K investment and start choppin' it up...
Stupid thing to do to gain a couple of feet.

Oh Ya,that wouldnt be the smartest thing they ever did.You take 3 feet of the back,it will throw the weight transfer dynamics of the axles off.Spread axle trailers are built for a reason,its to maximize weight transfer as to how much each axle will carrry. Chop 3 ft of the rear end of the trailer,it then moves those axles closer to the rear of the trailer and you will have some issues as to how to maximize your weight. It can be done....but it will be an ass pain.

 

[George.]

Oh Ya,that wouldnt be the smartest thing they ever did.You take 3 feet of the back,it will throw the weight transfer dynamics of the axles off.Spread axle trailers are built for a reason,its to maximize weight transfer as to how much each axle will carrry. Chop 3 ft of the rear end of the trailer,it then moves those axles closer to the rear of the trailer and you will have some issues as to how to maximize your weight. It can be done....but it will be an ass pain.

Not our problem, is it...
One thing is for sure, the trailer needs to be 53', or they stay out of Cali. Either cut it or junk it.
When you gamble on ignorance, you sometimes pay the price.
This one's gonna cost..

I got to think the builder didn't set the rear axle to the back of a 56' trailer. I hope for their sake they have some wiggle room. If it's a spread, they'll have no problem with weight transfer it the rear axle is to the back on a 36" pin setting.

 

[TF CREW]

Trailer length laws have been widely known for quite some time. The feds came up with the magic 53' length and any trailer manufacturer who knowingly builds in excess of that limit assumes the risk of selling it to a potential customer? If the customer knowingly purchases a trailer in excess of 53' he assumes the risk of not getting caught and fined?

Revenue generation is a no brainer, unfortunately California does'nt get it?
CHP could easily issue the citation for overlength, and with a simple change in the language (administrative rules) in 2011 "Moonbat Jerry" could have authorized CalTrans to issue a special permit, at a premium, and give the operator the choice of pay or leave. Simple!

California politics have ruined that state and it's a sad state of affairs when the voters continue to empower those who have no clue?

Just say'n?

Id say alot has to do with Gov Moonbeams short fall of about 4 billon dollars projected revenue. The state is already 1.5 Billion short and has over spent their budget by 1.7 billion. I am sooo sorry I live here and being out numbered by Libs dont ever see it getting changed.

 

[clwill]

After reading up on this, it's not clear to me at all that this is a "government run amok" kind of problem.

• Silly or not, the law's been on the books for almost 20 years.
• Every single trucking firm in the country knows about it, and figures out how to make it work or stays out of CA.
• The teams have been warned about it for years by the CHP. But they still own/build trailers that are knowingly illegal with the full intent of coming into CA.
• A couple of weeks ago (see the Graham Light email) NHRA tried to get one more exemption and was told the clock had struck 12.
• Not sure why the dozen or so illegal rigs should be given a magic exemption when hundreds of trucking firms operating all day, every day in CA have to live with the rules.
• All the teams were told in detail about this, and were told the CHP was on the warpath.
• Some sneaked through in the dead of night, Torrence got nailed.
• The lowboy truck that hauled the rig out was licensed, permitted, and legal for the job.

Just not clear to me that anyone but the person who brought a known illegal rig into the state is at fault. Sorry.

 

[None]

After reading up on this, it's not clear to me at all that this is a "government run amok" kind of problem.

• Silly or not, the law's been on the books for almost 20 years.
• Every single trucking firm in the country knows about it, and figures out how to make it work or stays out of CA.
• The teams have been warned about it for years by the CHP. But they still own/build trailers that are knowingly illegal with the full intent of coming into CA.
• A couple of weeks ago (see the Graham Light email) NHRA tried to get one more exemption and was told the clock had struck 12.
• Not sure why the dozen or so illegal rigs should be given a magic exemption when hundreds of trucking firms operating all day, every day in CA have to live with the rules.
• All the teams were told in detail about this, and were told the CHP was on the warpath.
• Some sneaked through in the dead of night, Torrence got nailed.
• The lowboy truck that hauled the rig out was licensed, permitted, and legal for the job.

Just not clear to me that anyone but the person who brought a known illegal rig into the state is at fault. Sorry.

I agree with all of this. California does not want trucks coming into the State. Most States have oversize (height/length/weight/width) available. In Canada you can get an entertainment permit. This is just a money thing. But you still have to play by their rules or don't play.

 

[clwill]

Most States have oversize (height/length/weight/width) available.

I understand that these exemptions are for transporting cargo/objects that cannot be broken down further. That is clearly not the case here.

 

[n/a]

Not our problem, is it...
One thing is for sure, the trailer needs to be 53', or they stay out of Cali. Either cut it or junk it.
When you gamble on ignorance, you sometimes pay the price.
This one's gonna cost..

I got to think the builder didn't set the rear axle to the back of a 56' trailer. I hope for their sake they have some wiggle room. If it's a spread, they'll have no problem with weight transfer it the rear axle is to the back on a 36" pin setting.

Yes,sometimes ignorance is a bit spendy. I have owned many trailers and many spread axle trailers. As a general rule my closed tandem trailers have a 36" kingpin setting,but on my spread axle trailers i set the pinsetting at 24".This makes them easier to make proper weight distribution.Once they hack of the back 3' and move the axles its only a little more money to move the kingpin....what the hell....it only money...WOW.