Today I got a call about Florida Highway Patrol / Police
ticketing Tractor Trucks registered as RV's. Can anyone
verify that Florida does not recognize a Semi Tractor with
a sink, potty and stove as not being an RV? I am looking
to race in Florida Pensacola and than Mobile Alabama.

Who got ticketed?

Don Wilshe

Don Only racing down there this weekend is NHRA drag racing Cops did this there a couple years ago

Don,

The Federal reg's do not recognize the "motorhome" "not for hire" exemptions any longer. The Federal reg's in effect for some time now state any combination of vehicles, IE Tractor, Dually or MH and towing a trailer GVWR over 10,000 pounds requires a commercial license for both vehicle and driver complete with a log book.

Several states enforce these rules diffferent, in Indiana racing is a large part of the economy, bet you won't see much enforcement there. In CA where I am a commercial enforcement officer (and a former car owner w/ a large tow rig) we generaly do not enforce this rule. The Fed's forced CA to adopt their rules or loose Federal Highway Funding. We adopted their rules, but that doesn't mean we enforce them.

I got stopped in New Mexico on my way home from the Chili Bowl several years ago. Took me 45 minutes to talk the trooper out of a cite, all because I did not pull into the scales at 4am. F-450 and a 14,000 GVWR trailer!

In general, in CA which is all I can speak to, the rule of thumb is, "No Air Brakes on your rig stay out of the scales" and unless you are speeding or running in the #1 lane we "USUALLY" won't stop you. We rather inspect the other rigs which usually have bigger safety issue's.

Down side is that a lot or racers drive WAY too fast for the rig they drive and that is usually what brings you to our attention. That will always lead to the other problems.

As for Florida, I guess they don't like racers, period....Hope that helps

Jim George
NHRA is not racing ~ if your're not drinkin' beer and slingin' dirt, you're not racin'.

Don.
I wouldn't worry about it. This comes up about every year for Florida Speedweeks and I don't know anyone who has ever got a ticket. But who know's, I could be wrong. If it bothers you too much, I've got a 2003 Dodge pick up and an open trailer I tow with, I'll trade you for the summer!

Tom Paterson