Swamp_Bear
Contributing Member
- City
- Wilson
There has been quite a bit of activity lately in North Carolina concerning trailer laws that many people never knew existed. Tickets are being issued, with $500 fines that are required to be paid immediately in some cases.
1. Any boat/trailer combination wider than 102 inches (including guide-ons) requires a special wide load permit, and cannot be towed on Sundays, at night, or on certain holidays.
2. Pickup trucks or cargo vans are considered property carying vehicles, and fall under special weight categories defined by the combined weight of truck, trailer, and boat: Privately owned pickup trucks may reach a combined weight of 9,000 lbs, above which a weighted license plate is required. SUV's are classified as passenger carying vehicles, and are excempt from this requirement.
So in the case of the triumph 210/215, whose on trailer weight can soar around 4500 lbs, if you're towing with a 1/2 ton pickup that weighs 5000 lbs, you're over the 9000 lb limit for a non-weighted plate.
Passing the 10,000 lbs combined weight is where it gets downright ugly, with mandatory stops required at all weigh stations. But again, if you're towing with an SUV, that doesn't apply and you're fine.
Since tow with a truck, with combined weight with a full load of fuel estimated around 95000 lbs, I'd be in violation since my truck registration is only for 5000 lbs. I called up the NC DOT today to find out how painful my life was going to get, and it was good news: For an extra $50 per year, I can register my truck for 10,000 lbs, and I'll be in compliance - and I don't have to stop at weigh stations.
Those of you using F350's and the like might be tipping the 10,000 mark, so beware: Highway Patrol are starting to cary portable scales they can place under each wheel to add up the total weight and verify registered weight. But they're really pushing the wide load law, and there are reports of checkpoints at some popular coastal areas.
There has been a move in legislation, but that's turned into a mud slinging campaign, and WRAL did some really bad coverage on the matter that made it worse because the new bill to give boaters releif from these old laws also had a provision to allow bigger commercial trucks on backroads.
Here's an article on the matter for reference:
North Carolina Sportsman - Highway Patrol Holds First-Ever Public Forum on Trailering Boats
1. Any boat/trailer combination wider than 102 inches (including guide-ons) requires a special wide load permit, and cannot be towed on Sundays, at night, or on certain holidays.
2. Pickup trucks or cargo vans are considered property carying vehicles, and fall under special weight categories defined by the combined weight of truck, trailer, and boat: Privately owned pickup trucks may reach a combined weight of 9,000 lbs, above which a weighted license plate is required. SUV's are classified as passenger carying vehicles, and are excempt from this requirement.
So in the case of the triumph 210/215, whose on trailer weight can soar around 4500 lbs, if you're towing with a 1/2 ton pickup that weighs 5000 lbs, you're over the 9000 lb limit for a non-weighted plate.
Passing the 10,000 lbs combined weight is where it gets downright ugly, with mandatory stops required at all weigh stations. But again, if you're towing with an SUV, that doesn't apply and you're fine.
Since tow with a truck, with combined weight with a full load of fuel estimated around 95000 lbs, I'd be in violation since my truck registration is only for 5000 lbs. I called up the NC DOT today to find out how painful my life was going to get, and it was good news: For an extra $50 per year, I can register my truck for 10,000 lbs, and I'll be in compliance - and I don't have to stop at weigh stations.
Those of you using F350's and the like might be tipping the 10,000 mark, so beware: Highway Patrol are starting to cary portable scales they can place under each wheel to add up the total weight and verify registered weight. But they're really pushing the wide load law, and there are reports of checkpoints at some popular coastal areas.
There has been a move in legislation, but that's turned into a mud slinging campaign, and WRAL did some really bad coverage on the matter that made it worse because the new bill to give boaters releif from these old laws also had a provision to allow bigger commercial trucks on backroads.
Here's an article on the matter for reference:
North Carolina Sportsman - Highway Patrol Holds First-Ever Public Forum on Trailering Boats
