D.O.T. Towing Permit: The most convoluted thing ever

[jkru]

Re: D.O.T. Towing Permit: The most convoluted thing ever

Ok, said I wasnt going to do it, said I was going to do it, said I wasnt...

I did it. It was a great experience, the vehical towed with authority and had no issues stopping, cornering or hauling. The engine stayed under 3000 RPM at all times and the temp only spiked about 15 degrees higher than normal. The rear air ride adjusted in the back and had no problems.. I found out that the SS is on a completely different suspension then the stock trailblazer is what Chev told me. Thanks everyone for all the help..

 

[ne7800]

Re: D.O.T. Towing Permit: The most convoluted thing ever

I see boats of that size towed all the time around here

 

[ne7800]

Re: D.O.T. Towing Permit: The most convoluted thing ever

I hate to be nay-sayer in this but the legal width limit on every road I know of is 102 inches or 8.5 feet.

Not true but close. I had a snomobile trailer that was 103 inches, and new semi van type trailers boast 8' inside and measure 103 on the outside (dad is a trucker) also my truck with mirros extended (factory mirrors) just clears a 9' door opening buy a inch on each side witch would make it over 103 inches wide

 

[AZMinyard]

Re: D.O.T. Towing Permit: The most convoluted thing ever

How about just naming the boat "Wide Load" and going from there . . .

 

[jkru]

Re: D.O.T. Towing Permit: The most convoluted thing ever

How about just naming the boat "Wide Load" and going from there . . .

I need to name it.. my two choices are

Pan.. Pan... Pan... Pan...

Or

Payliner,
brought to you by..
Olympic Bust Centers

 

[dingbat]

Re: D.O.T. Towing Permit: The most convoluted thing ever

I'm with Silvertip on this one. That boat was manufactured to be slipped, not towed on a routine basis. If you are in an accident, I bet someone finds a tape measure then! Then it's your aas.

Around here wide beam ?trailer" boats are very common.

We?re blessed with our proximity to the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays and the Atlantic Ocean. These waters are also notoriously rough so wide beam boats are the norm for those that regularly boat these waters.

With only 50-75 miles of land separating the bodies of water and transient slips running upwards of $100 a day if you can even find one, trailering is a very attractive alternative. The other alternative is going by water which is a 150 miles trip each way and that?s only possible if you can find a slip.

Maryland (109" max. ?permits are $30 each or a book of 20 for $300) and Virginia (102" max. - $45 yearly permit) don't typically enforce it. NC just changed its laws to allow for these boats to be trailered without a fee.

Apparently you?re a better driver after paying the State a fee.

 

[skipperjon]

Re: D.O.T. Towing Permit: The most convoluted thing ever

I own a 29' Larson which is 9' 6" wide. Went to my DMV got an ANNUAL permit which cost me all of $45. I can and do tow it all over Arizona and Mexico legally.
If you have a problem getting a permit yourself, get in touch with a Permitting Service, they will take care of it for you. Don't listen to these jokers who are trying to tell you that you can't tow it because it's big.
I just bought a 31' Luhrs which I'll be towing from San Francisco to Tucson.
The beam is 11'6". I'll be getting a permit of course.
Bigger is better.
Good luck
John

 

[APPALOOSA2]

Re: D.O.T. Towing Permit: The most convoluted thing ever

I know what the law say's you should do but I towed a 27' x 9'6" beam for 10 years without ever a issue. You need to use your head when pulling it and you sound like you have commen sense. Once I pulled it through 4 different states with no issues what so ever. I lived 5 miles from the ramp that I used most often. Boat on trailer was 12'2" tall so watch your height and make sure the launch ramp you use is long enough in the water to float off a large boat.

I did once have a police officer follow me to the ramp only to ask what brand of trailer I had because he really liked it.

Just use common sense...

 

[jkru]

Re: D.O.T. Towing Permit: The most convoluted thing ever

I know what the law say's you should do but I towed a 27' x 9'6" beam for 10 years without ever a issue. You need to use your head when pulling it and you sound like you have commen sense. Once I pulled it through 4 different states with no issues what so ever. I lived 5 miles from the ramp that I used most often. Boat on trailer was 12'2" tall so watch your height and make sure the launch ramp you use is long enough in the water to float off a large boat.

I did once have a police officer follow me to the ramp only to ask what brand of trailer I had because he really liked it.

Just use common sense...

Yah you hit the nail on the head. I found out it wasnt width I was concerned with. I could have had another two feet in width and would have felt ok. The hieght ironically is what was worrying me. Especially with branches hitting my gear on the radar arch, you really need to watch that. I had very little clearance at least I thought so going under a bridge that was 14'6" clearance.