Towing a wide boat...

[nitsuj]

So I'm looking at a boat that is slightly wider than is technically legal to tow in PA without permits. PA allows 8'6" and what I'm looking at has a 9'6" beam. So, 12 inches wider than legal. So my question is, does anyone in PA have experience in towing a slightly wider than legal boat? Is there an easy permit to get? Anyone just tried the tow it and play dumb method? I'm thinking that if it's only 12 inches wider, I shouldn't have too much trouble. I know no one wants to tell me to break the law. I'm just looking for input.

 

[insanity]

Re: Towing a wide boat...

Call the DMV best place to get your answers, and if you need a permit they should be able to give you all the info you need.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Towing a wide boat...

I was looking for a different type of answer than what they would give. But thanks.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Towing a wide boat...

First, what will you be towing this boat with? Next, it may turn out an overwidth load (with or without permits) may require that you travel only during certain hours and only on certain routes. Some states have seasonal permits (such as construction companies) as they continuously move big equipment. You however, may need a permit each time you move the boat. You need to investigate this thoroughly. The DOT (Department of Transportation) frowns on ignorance when it comes to this stuff as it involves safety.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Towing a wide boat...

I'll be towing it with whatever I need to. My truck is a Ford F150, and the boat and trailer is under my max towing cap. But, if it's uncomfortable, I have other vehicles available to me that will tow it.

 

[dave11]

Re: Towing a wide boat...

You can drive 100MPH, too.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Towing a wide boat...

Yes I can. And sometimes do. But never while towing a trailer.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Towing a wide boat...

This has been talked about in several treads lately. I do not know what the answer is, especially since every state may be different. I see alot of boats towed around GA that are over 8'6" beam, and they do not have "WIDE LOAD" signs on, which I would think would be required. Personally, I think that there is a fudge factor to the 8'6" law, but I do not know what it is...

There are 10' beam racing boats towed through GA all of the time with no sign, lights or escorts. Do you think they have permits, don't know for sure but I dought it...

 

[CAVU V]

Re: Towing a wide boat...

Info on state towing regulations.

http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/laws.asp

 

[Dave1251]

Re: Towing a wide boat...

Many states have annual wide load permits for your type of use. This would allow you to pull the boat in PA only. Each state is different and issues their own permits. Here in Kentucky, you can tow 9'6" loads on highways without an escort, but the boat and truck must be flagged.

As for just towing without permits, It can get very expensive when the ticket comes. I have paid over $1,500.00 fines, court cost and lawyer fees when I had permits, but not a current annual inspection on my truck. Wide loads put you in a new class in the eyes of the law. Also insurance companies can get picky when they do not want to pay a claim with wide loads.

Forget the 1/2 ton truck and get a one ton dually.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Towing a wide boat...

So I'm looking at a boat that is slightly wider than is technically legal to tow in PA without permits. PA allows 8'6" and what I'm looking at has a 9'6" beam. So, 12 inches wider than legal. So my question is, does anyone in PA have experience in towing a slightly wider than legal boat? Is there an easy permit to get? Anyone just tried the tow it and play dumb method? I'm thinking that if it's only 12 inches wider, I shouldn't have too much trouble. I know no one wants to tell me to break the law. I'm just looking for input.

12 inches is not "a little wide". One or two inches is a little wide. That is a LOT wide. If you want advice, check with a lawyer or at least with a friendly cop. They will have the experience. Everyone else (including me) is just guessing. My guess is that (if the cop who stops you in unfriendly) they can and will impound your boat and trailer and hit you with a big fine and towing and storage expenses.

TerryMSU

 

[hazmat5760]

Re: Towing a wide boat...

Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. So if you get pulled over while violating the law and claim you didn't know the law, you can still get the ticket.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Towing a wide boat...

I realize that ignorance isn't a valid excuse. And that it's possible that I could get fined if I towed without a permit. I guess what I was asking was, is it one of those laws that no one enforces, or are police running around with tape measures checking beams. I see an awful lot of boats like the one I'm looking at getting towed down the road. They can't all have permits, since my research has lead me to believe that getting the permit in PA is nigh on impossible for an individual. I figured at least a few of you would have boats that were over width and would have input specific to PA. I know I can go look up the laws, and I have. I was looking for real world input, and that's what I got, thanks. I appreciate the input.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Towing a wide boat...

Maybe check with a local towing/wrecking company with a large flat bed type wrecker who could move your boat for you, or at the very least, give you some good first hand advice on moving your boat. If he would move your boat for $500 or $1000 and assume all the liability maybe it would be better than "rolling the dice" with the DOT. I've hired wreckers before to move large, heavy objects and they make it look easy because it's what they do for a living. Good Luck!

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Towing a wide boat...

Good idea. I think I'll stop by a towing place and ask some questions. Only problem is, that helps me get the boat home. I don't have a marina slip and want to be able to take it to different bodies of water. I can't pay someone $500 every weekend I want to use the boat. But it seems like a good place to start.

 

[rbh]

Re: Towing a wide boat...

OK, heres the deal in BC canada.
My boats over 8.6 feet but under 12 foot, I require a wide load permit I call the permit people, here it is the ministry of transport, I tell them I want it for how many days at a buck a day, provide them with the plate numbers and a credit card number, they give me a permit number over the phone then fax or email me the paper work later, all I need is the number. Then ensure that I mark the widest points port/starboard with red/orange flags for day travel
And its just that easy here
rob

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Towing a wide boat...

OK, heres the deal in BC canada.
My boats over 8.6 feet but under 12 foot, I require a wide load permit I call the permit people, here it is the ministry of transport, I tell them I want it for how many days at a buck a day, provide them with the plate numbers and a credit card number, they give me a permit number over the phone then fax or email me the paper work later, all I need is the number. Then ensure that I mark the widest points port/starboard with red/orange flags for day travel
And its just that easy here
rob

Might be just that easy here in US (most states) as well. Many boats over 23-25 feet exceed the 8'6" beam so it really should not be difficult...

 

[TojosMojo]

Re: Towing a wide boat...

Here in Ky, the route I travel on, 1-65 is heavy with Department of Transportation officers that are never too busy to overlook a violation such as being a foot over the limit.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Towing a wide boat...

I guess you answered my question. I was just wondering it it was just something you just bought and needed to get it home to the lake or river or was it an every week-end thing. If it was just getting it home I would think a permit would be the way to go. But if you were doing it a lot I say no. It is like everything else, you can speed once in a while and not get caught,,,,But sooner or later it will come and get ya. laughing...Words of experance....

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Towing a wide boat...

You might want to wade through this:

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/vehicle_code/chapter49.pdf

You will also learn that the width limit on non-freeway roads in PA is 8 feet -- not 8 foot six inches. There are a bunch of other restrictions and permit requirements so either follow the rules or have one hand on your wallet.