Re: [MV] gas and fuel costs - long

For a tail lamp you are out of service until it is repaired.

However that is not what took all of the time. She pulled me over and
basically interviewed me. What do I do, where am I going, how often do
I drive the truck, do I have more than one truck, etc etc. Then she
does a license check on me - she is on the radio for quite a while.
Then comes the inspection. Under the truck, pop the hood, inspect the
brakes, everything. Found the tail light, got a ticket, escorted me to
the nearest truck stop, was put out of service at the truck stop and
then she apologized for putting me through the 3rd degree.

While my situation seems to be extreme and according to the inspection
report the truck underwent the most severe inspection possible, it's
certainly not unheard of. I have heard of some real horror stories
about drivers getting pulled into inspection areas behind the scales in
Kentucky.

On the otherhand I've talked to drivers who have been doing it for 10+
years and have never been pulled over for an inspection by a DOT cop.

I guess it was not my day.

Dave


Ryan Gill wrote:[color=blue]
> At 10:03 PM -0500 11/20/05, MV wrote:
> [color=green]
>> Unfortunately I have already spent 3 hours (really) on the side of the
>> road while a DOT cop did a full blown inspection on my flatbed
>> straight truck, found a minor problem and put me out of service in a
>> truck stop (brake light out).[/color]
>
>
> So she puts you out of service for how long? If you can fix the problem
> right there, do they tend to let it go then?
> [/color]

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Yes, I agree Everette BUT he still has to pay insurance and tags whether he
moves a mile or not, correct? Thats the kicker,

Sonny


----- Original Message -----
From: "Everette" <194cbteng (AT) bellsouth (DOT) net>
To: "Military Vehicles Mailing List" <mil-veh (AT) mil-veh (DOT) org>
Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2005 10:36 AM
Subject: Re: [MV] gas and fuel costs - long

[color=blue]
> Dave is one of the fellows I said stopped at truck stop for fuel, food,
> toilet and then back on the road.....
>
> He is very correct, if they do not pay the way let the truck sit on home
> lot.
>
> Everette
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "MV" <MV (AT) dc9 (DOT) tzo.com>
> To: "Military Vehicles Mailing List" <mil-veh (AT) mil-veh (DOT) org>
> Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2005 10:16 AM
> Subject: Re: [MV] gas and fuel costs - long
>
> ===Mil-Veh is a member-supported mailing list===
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> To reach a human, contact <ackyle (AT) gmail (DOT) com>
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>
>
> --
> Internal Virus Database is out-of-date.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.1.361 / Virus Database: 267.12.5/147 - Release Date: 10/24/2005
>
> [/color]


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Unfortunately I have already spent 3 hours (really) on the side of the
road while a DOT cop did a full blown inspection on my flatbed straight
truck, found a minor problem and put me out of service in a truck stop
(brake light out). She then apologized for grilling me and then told me
how to get where I was going faster "after" putting me out of service.
I think she was looking for another truck. So I have a good feeling for
what can happen. It seems like they are pulling over trucks a lot more
fequently than they used to.

Dave


[color=blue]
> Anyway, Dave, had I known that the paperwork would be as much trouble
> as it is I might have gone another route other than getting my own
> authority but in my ignorance I went at it whole hog about 3 years ago
> and after almost going broke waiting the 5 months for my authority to be
> granted (and paying insurance all this time for nothing) it has smoothed
> out but I will warn you that going with a 18 wheeler adds to the scale
> house headaches because they automatically look at a big truck more that
> a straight truck.[/color]


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Yes I do still need to pay for tags and insurance, but I am really in an
entirely different boat than an independant trucker who is a common
carrier with an MC number Authorization. I can't haul freight for pay
legally, so my insurance requirements are entirely different. (Read a
lot less money) I don't need to run the trucks to make money as the
transportation of freight is not my core business. Hence if I can't
make it pay to move something, I just don't do that job, but pursue
other work. (Fortunatly there has been enough other work.)

Owning and running a 26K lb flatbed is a lot different than a semi due
to the lack of IRP requirements (or permits in most states) for trucks
26K and below.

Likewise owning and operating as a common carrier is more expensive than
operating as a private carrier. I haven't checked it out recently, but
I believe that a regular common carrier with an 18 wheeler has to
maintain 1 million worth of cargo insurance (meant to protect the cargo
owner) plus liability insurance. That's a big ticket item right there.
Being a private carrier, I don't need to do that. I just need to
carry liability as a minimum.

One of the problems that we have in the USA is that the trucking laws
are way to complex. Consequently most of the government officials I
have talked to really don't understand the laws they are suppose to
enforce and deal with. The local BMV people are almost totally clueless
when it comes to trucks. I went to register my 48 foot flatbed trailer
as a semi trailer (which is what it is), and they couldn't tell me the
difference between a permanent plate and a yearly plate the the
trailer???? When I said I wanted a permanent plate, they went to the
file drawer and said sorry, we are all out!! So I bought a yearly
plate. (About $45 in Indiana)

Ironically the 14K lb plate for my 20K lb gooseneck trailer was about
$250.00. I have seen a 40K lb pintle hitch trailer loaded with an
excavator (one of the big ones) with a 12K lb tag on it. Apparently he
doesn't go across the scales very often, but also, apparently he hasn't
been pulled over by the cops either!!! Law enforcement on trucks and
license plates is erratic at best in this country.

Dave


Sonny Heath wrote:[color=blue]
> Yes, I agree Everette BUT he still has to pay insurance and tags whether
> he moves a mile or not, correct? Thats the kicker,
>
> Sonny
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Everette" <194cbteng (AT) bellsouth (DOT) net>
> To: "Military Vehicles Mailing List" <mil-veh (AT) mil-veh (DOT) org>
> Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2005 10:36 AM
> Subject: Re: [MV] gas and fuel costs - long
>
> [color=green]
>> Dave is one of the fellows I said stopped at truck stop for fuel,
>> food, toilet and then back on the road.....
>>
>> He is very correct, if they do not pay the way let the truck sit on
>> home lot.
>>
>> Everette
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "MV" <MV (AT) dc9 (DOT) tzo.com>
>> To: "Military Vehicles Mailing List" <mil-veh (AT) mil-veh (DOT) org>
>> Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2005 10:16 AM
>> Subject: Re: [MV] gas and fuel costs - long
>>
>> ===Mil-Veh is a member-supported mailing list===
>> To unsubscribe, send e-mail to <mil-veh-off (AT) mil-veh (DOT) org>
>> To reach a human, contact <ackyle (AT) gmail (DOT) com>
>> Visit the searchable archives at [url]http://www.mil-veh.org/archives/[/url]
>>
>>
>> --
>> Internal Virus Database is out-of-date.
>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>> Version: 7.1.361 / Virus Database: 267.12.5/147 - Release Date:
>> 10/24/2005
>>
>>[/color]
>
>
> ===Mil-Veh is a member-supported mailing list===
> To unsubscribe, send e-mail to <mil-veh-off (AT) mil-veh (DOT) org>
> To reach a human, contact <ackyle (AT) gmail (DOT) com>
> Visit the searchable archives at [url]http://www.mil-veh.org/archives/[/url]
> [/color]

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At 10:03 PM -0500 11/20/05, MV wrote:[color=blue]
>Unfortunately I have already spent 3 hours
>(really) on the side of the road while a DOT cop
>did a full blown inspection on my flatbed
>straight truck, found a minor problem and put me
>out of service in a truck stop (brake light out).[/color]

So she puts you out of service for how long? If
you can fix the problem right there, do they tend
to let it go then?

--
--
Ryan Gill [email]rmgill (AT) SPAMmindspring (DOT) com[/email]
----------------------------------------------------------
| | | -==----
| O--=- | | /_8[*]°_\
|_/|o|_\_| | _________ | /_[===]_\
/ 00DA61 \ |/---------\| __/ \---
_w/|=_[__]_= \w_ // [_] o[]\\ _oO_\ /_O|_
|: O(4) == O :| _Oo\=======/_O_ |____\ /____|
|---\________/---| [__O_______W__] |x||_\ /_||x|
|s|\ /|s| |s|/BSV 575\|s| |x|-\| |/-|x|
|s|=\______/=|s| |s|=|_____|=|s| |x|--|_____|--|x|
|s| |s| |s| |s| |x| |x|
'60 Daimler Ferret '42 Daimler Dingo '42 Humber MkIV (1/3)
----------------------------------------------------------

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A lot depends on the officer. Technically, you are required by DOT reg.'s
to carry spare fuses and replacement lamps. She could have given you a
citation on the spot for not having the required spare lamp onboard. Many
times they will let you go if you can replace the lamp then and there and
show them the light works. The officer was correct about taking you out
of service for the inoperable light, but most will let it go if it gets
fixed immediatly.
There is a requirement for a "pre-trip" daily inspection, by the
driver/s. If your log book shows you did the daily inspection, and all
lights worked at that time, the possibility of failure during the trip
allows for some flexibility on the officers part. A lot depends on their
mood, also.
I have been pulled over for clearance lights out on camper on my pickup
and let go because I fixed them right there. And, yes they are checking
trucks much closer today than in the past.
That has been my experience - your results may vary,

Frank Cox
Vietnam 1966, USAF
MVPA 14530
1945 GMC 353 DUKW "DUKTAPE"


On Sun, 20 Nov 2005 23:56:44 -0500 Ryan Gill <rmgill (AT) mindspring (DOT) com>
writes:[color=blue]
> At 10:03 PM -0500 11/20/05, MV wrote:[color=green]
> >Unfortunately I have already spent 3 hours
> >(really) on the side of the road while a DOT cop
> >did a full blown inspection on my flatbed
> >straight truck, found a minor problem and put me
> >out of service in a truck stop (brake light out).[/color]
>
> So she puts you out of service for how long? If
> you can fix the problem right there, do they tend
> to let it go then?
>
> --
> --
> Ryan Gill [email]rmgill (AT) SPAMmindspring (DOT) com[/email]
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> | | | -==----
> | O--=- | | /_8[*]°_\
> |_/|o|_\_| | _________ | /_[===]_\
> / 00DA61 \ |/---------\| __/ \---
> _w/|=_[__]_= \w_ // [_] o[]\\ _oO_\ /_O|_
> |: O(4) == O :| _Oo\=======/_O_ |____\ /____|
> |---\________/---| [__O_______W__] |x||_\ /_||x|
> |s|\ /|s| |s|/BSV 575\|s| |x|-\| |/-|x|
> |s|=\______/=|s| |s|=|_____|=|s| |x|--|_____|--|x|
> |s| |s| |s| |s| |x| |x|
> '60 Daimler Ferret '42 Daimler Dingo '42 Humber MkIV (1/3)
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
> ===Mil-Veh is a member-supported mailing list==To unsubscribe, send
> e-mail to <mil-veh-off (AT) mil-veh (DOT) org>
> To reach a human, contact <ackyle (AT) gmail (DOT) com>
> Visit the searchable archives at [url]http://www.mil-veh.org/archives/[/url]
>
> [/color]

===Mil-Veh is a member-supported mailing list===
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For a tail lamp you are out of service until it is repaired.

However that is not what took all of the time. She pulled me over and
basically interviewed me. What do I do, where am I going, how often do
I drive the truck, do I have more than one truck, etc etc. Then she
does a license check on me - she is on the radio for quite a while.
Then comes the inspection. Under the truck, pop the hood, inspect the
brakes, everything. Found the tail light, got a ticket, escorted me to
the nearest truck stop, was put out of service at the truck stop and
then she apologized for putting me through the 3rd degree.

While my situation seems to be extreme and according to the inspection
report the truck underwent the most severe inspection possible, it's
certainly not unheard of. I have heard of some real horror stories
about drivers getting pulled into inspection areas behind the scales in
Kentucky.

On the otherhand I've talked to drivers who have been doing it for 10+
years and have never been pulled over for an inspection by a DOT cop.

I guess it was not my day.

Dave


Ryan Gill wrote:[color=blue]
> At 10:03 PM -0500 11/20/05, MV wrote:
> [color=green]
>> Unfortunately I have already spent 3 hours (really) on the side of the
>> road while a DOT cop did a full blown inspection on my flatbed
>> straight truck, found a minor problem and put me out of service in a
>> truck stop (brake light out).[/color]
>
>
> So she puts you out of service for how long? If you can fix the problem
> right there, do they tend to let it go then?
> [/color]

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