Trouble hauling through Iowa

Originally written by mnhunter on 2007-09-20 2:45 PM

I realize Im a little late to this thread, but have been away for a while. I deal with commercial vehicles on a regular so will try to offer some insight. The origional poster was most likely stopped to investigate weather or not it was a commercial vehicle. It may appear as if smaller rigs are being picked on but I think that over the years the larger rigs have been coming into compliance and now the DOT are working their way down and also making the smaller rigs conform to the regulations. If I inspect a smaller rig, it is not uncommon to find 12-15 violations. This makes some of them some of the worst violators. The origional poster said they were not aware they had to comply with the com veh regs. Im not sure if they handle their trips as a business, or strictly recreational. I find that some horse owners want to claim all expenses as a business deduction, but when stopped claim they are not a business. Yes, as some people suggest here, you can just lie to the officer, but someday you may find one that may not believe you. Or if you are truely a business, you can comply with the regulations.

These are federal regulation, and are the same in every state in the country. They apply if you are crossing state lines for commercial purposes. When you read the regs., remember there are 2 definitions of a commercial veh. 1 is in part 383 which deals with drivers licenses and the other is in part 390 which deals with everything else. 390 says any veh or combination over 10,000 is a com veh.

The reason gvwr is used for weight determination is because not every inspector has scales to weigh the vehs. Otherwise you may be ok without a load, but not loaded. If some are thinking about removing the vin sticker with the mfg gvwr I believe this is also a violation. Also think how you are now going to prove that that trailer is really yours as the lic plate could have come from anything, but you have just removed the vin number

As for putting rv plates on the trailer, it really doesnt mean anything. It is the use of the vehicles, not the registration on them that determines weather it is a com veh. The feds dont care what lic plates the states sell to you.

Not For Hire. This is a red flag that to me means that you know there are regulaltions out there but you dont think you should have to comply with them.

As far as myself, I haul horses over several states to trail ride every year and havent had a problem yet. Im lucky as i know the regulations and would be happy to clarify fed regs to amyone that wants to pm me. Now if anyone wants to talk about trying to figure out brand inspections, but thats another subject.

(f) Exceptions. Unless otherwise specifically provided, the rules in
this subchapter do not apply to--

(3) The occasional transportation of personal property by
individuals not for compensation nor in the furtherance of a commercial
enterprise;