Information Conflict from Tennessee

[Uncle Wayne]

I've been shopping around for a older John Deere, (especially a LA), Ford 3000 or a Farmall Cub tractor. I have reason for wanting each and have found several in Tennessee. Thinking ahead, I called the Tennessee Highway Patrol office and told them: I'm looking at buying a tractor in Tennessee and wanted to find out the requirements for hauling a tractor on a flat bed trailer back to Alabama.

Here's what the state trooper office said: Just secure it to the trailer so there no forward or backward motion while being towed.

I asked: There's no requirement that I need one tie down per corner?

He said: No, just make sure it's secured to the trailer.

I asked: can I used the appropriate size ratchet type web straps, one on each end?

He replied: Yes, if that secures it to the trailer. As long as you have the trailer registered in Alabama, you'll be all right in Tennessee.

Well almost all of that contradicted what I thought was right so I called the Tennessee DOT and made the same statement: I'm looking at buying a tractor in Tennessee and wanted to find out the requirements for hauling a tractor on a flat bed trailer back to Alabama.

DOT reply: You're required to use a chain on each corner, that will be 4 per tractor. Any piece of equipment laying on the trailer, plows, etc will require two chains.

I asked: can I use the ratchet type web straps in place of chains?

DOT reply: No, only chains rated for the load are permitted. And each tie down point requires a separate chain. A long continuous chain tying down one side and extending across to the other side is not permitted.

I said: That's completely different than what the State Trooper office told me.

DOT reply: (Laughing) yeah, you're not the first one to tell me that. They don't know anything about transportation requirements and would not inspect your trailer unless you were involved in an accident or a moving violation. Our department will be notified if a trailer is involved and we'll make the appropriate decisions once they contact us.


I'm glad I called because I had intended to use my ratchet straps. I will now have to buy chains and binders / booms instead.

 

[Wolfy]

You want the chains for sure. I have seen quick jerks snap decent size nylon straps. The DOT told me, anything over 10,000lbs needs 1 chain at each corner (2 smalls not 1 long as you said) plus 1 chain per bucket. They didn't comment under 10,000lbs. I guess there is a wide variance from state to state.

 

[brokenot]

I don't think it's ever a good idea to *ask* anyone questions like this. You'll get a variety of answers...and most of them will be incorrect, or partially correct, or....

The best source of info is your state's DOT website. Not only will regs be clearly spelled out, but you can also print a page or two and take 'em with you. If there's a problem along the way, having a copy will go a long way towards showing the authorities you made an effort to be in compliance.

The other benefit of going to the DOT site is that the information is updated as regulations change. What someone tells you is okay, may have been okay years ago...not necessarily any more.

A couple of years ago, I watched in amazement as three or four other employees spent half a day talking to each other about, (and calling others to ask as well), what we needed to do to be in compliance because we purchased another hydraulic tail equipment trailer that was located two states away. In the end there was a lot of time wasted on the discussion, and no real useful information exchanged or conclusions drawn because all of the opinions were preceded by things like, "As far as I know", or, "According to a truck driver friend of mine". In other words, it was about as productive as your typical meeting usually is.

 

[Dmace]

I agree with chains on the tractor but chains on the equipment lying on the trailer such as a plow, etc... is a little overkill. The attachments would be fine with straps. I use chains on the tractor and straps over the loader and backhoe to keep them from bouncing around.

 

[jdonovan]

Sounds like the state gave you the rules for equipment > 10,000 lbs.

When you get into CDL weight ranges there are very specific rules on how things get anchored to the trailer. Non-cdl it just needs to be 'secure'.

 

[davygp38]

I don't think it's ever a good idea to *ask* anyone questions like this. You'll get a variety of answers...and most of them will be incorrect, or partially correct, or....

The best source of info is your state's DOT website. Not only will regs be clearly spelled out, but you can also print a page or two and take 'em with you. If there's a problem along the way, having a copy will go a long way towards showing the authorities you made an effort to be in compliance.

The other benefit of going to the DOT site is that the information is updated as regulations change. What someone tells you is okay, may have been okay years ago...not necessarily any more.

A couple of years ago, I watched in amazement as three or four other employees spent half a day talking to each other about, (and calling others to ask as well), what we needed to do to be in compliance because we purchased another hydraulic tail equipment trailer that was located two states away. In the end there was a lot of time wasted on the discussion, and no real useful information exchanged or conclusions drawn because all of the opinions were preceded by things like, "As far as I know", or, "According to a truck driver friend of mine". In other words, it was about as productive as your typical meeting usually is.

In theory this is a great Idea, in practice it did not work for me. I don't know about other States, but I live in the peoples republic of New York. The DOT web site is so confusing, and unorganized that you cannot make hide nor hair out of anything. My mother always said, "it's all just a money making thing." I hate to agree with mom, but in my State it is a fact. What I have done is take every precaution I have ever seen on every website, and from every truck driver I have ever heard of, and cross my fingers. If I run into one of the "Peoples Party Commissars," on the road, I just Hang my head and wait for the inevitable fine.

 

[56FordGuy]

I don't think it's ever a good idea to *ask* anyone questions like this. You'll get a variety of answers...and most of them will be incorrect, or partially correct, or....

I agree. :laughing:

 

[Diamondpilot]

Simple fact is if it looks safe and you are not Commercial you will get a pass.

General rule of thumb around here is 10K and above chains on 4 corners. Under 10K straps are permitted. Each item on the deck needs secured. Straps are ok around these parts.

Heck, I saw a contractor yesterday with a BobCat and a ZTR on a trailer with not one single strap at the gas station. I asked if he strapped them down, he just grinned and said not if he was just going across town. Scary. No way I would ride with him. Quick stop and that BobCat would be heading toward the cab.

Chris

 

[56FordGuy]

In my experience, even if you are commercial they won't bother you if it looks 'right'. I've had more questions about my logbook (which was always right, by the way) than I have for the way my load was secured.

Landscapers and tow truck drivers scare me. I don't know if I've ever seen a ZTR mower secured in any way, just parked sideways on the trailer. Likewise, the rollback wrecker drivers that use the winch to pull everything tight. One weak spot in a hydraulic line, and you've got a big problem. Wouldn't take an extra minute or two to throw a chain and a binder on the front of the car, but I can't recall ever seeing it done.

 

[timswi]

Simple fact is if it looks safe and you are not Commercial you will get a pass.

General rule of thumb around here is 10K and above chains on 4 corners. Under 10K straps are permitted. Each item on the deck needs secured. Straps are ok around these parts.

Heck, I saw a contractor yesterday with a BobCat and a ZTR on a trailer with not one single strap at the gas station. I asked if he strapped them down, he just grinned and said not if he was just going across town. Scary. No way I would ride with him. Quick stop and that BobCat would be heading toward the cab.

Chris

I saw an SUV on a multi-car haluer with absolutely nothing holding it down on the interstate the other day...I had to slow down to get a second look to see if it was for real...Unfortunately it was...It was the only vehicle on what looked like a GN 3 car ramp style trailer...I got away from him in a hurry.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I saw an SUV on a multi-car haluer with absolutely nothing holding it down on the interstate the other day...I had to slow down to get a second look to see if it was for real...Unfortunately it was...It was the only vehicle on what looked like a GN 3 car ramp style trailer...I got away from him in a hurry.

Whats the issue, he had it in Park and the brake set.

Chris

 

[56FordGuy]

Whats the issue, he had it in Park and the brake set.

Chris

"It's heavy, it'll sit there." :laughing:

 

[aczlan]

Landscapers and tow truck drivers scare me. I don't know if I've ever seen a ZTR mower secured in any way, just parked sideways on the trailer.

I agree. I was working for a large (national) landscaping company and the folks there were annoyed that I insisted on straps to tie down the equipment. They said "but it is in an enclosed trailer, it isn't going anywhere". Eventually they bought straps and when I was with the crew, they were used.

Aaron Z

 

[Wolfy]

More Scary: those who secure a skidsteer by throwing one strap over the cab.

 

[LBrown59]

Well almost all of that contradicted what I thought was right so I called the Tennessee DOT and made the same statement: I'm looking at buying a tractor in Tennessee and wanted to find out the requirements for hauling a tractor on a flat bed trailer back to Alabama.
DOT reply: You're required to use a chain on each corner, that will be 4 per tractor. Any piece of equipment laying on the trailer, plows, etc will require two chains.
I asked: can I use the ratchet type web straps in place of chains?
DOT reply: No, only chains rated for the load are permitted. And each tie down point requires a separate chain. A long continuous chain tying down one side and extending across to the other side is not permitted.
I said: That's completely different than what the State Trooper office told me.
DOT reply: (Laughing) yeah, you're not the first one to tell me that.
I'm glad I called because I had intended to use my ratchet straps. I will now have to buy chains and binders / booms instead.

So much for the Tnn. DOT .
Now what about the Alabama DOT ,
FED Dot and any other state you pass through ??

You want the chains for sure. I have seen quick jerks snap decent size nylon straps.
1*The DOT told me, anything over 10,000lbs needs 1 chain at each corner (2 smalls not 1 long as you said) plus 1 chain per bucket. They didn't comment under 10,000lbs. I guess there is a wide variance from state to state.

1*Which Dot?

The best source of info is your state's DOT website. Not only will regs be clearly spelled out, but you can also print a page or two and take 'em with you. If there's a problem along the way, having a copy will go a long way towards showing the authorities you made an effort to be in compliance.
A couple of years ago, I watched in amazement as three or four other employees spent half a day talking to each other about, (and calling others to ask as well), what we needed to do to be in compliance because
2*we purchased another hydraulic tail equipment trailer that was located two states away.

2*So in this case which State has jurisdiction ?

 

[Ken45101]

Heck, I saw a contractor yesterday with a BobCat and a ZTR on a trailer with not one single strap at the gas station. I asked if he strapped them down, he just grinned and said not if he was just going across town. Scary. No way I would ride with him. Quick stop and that BobCat would be heading toward the cab.

Chris

I've seen the local towing company hauling a small motorhome on a rollback UNSECURED, no tie downs at all. This is the same towing company that had a fire department aerial truck come loose and was totaled.

It was a year before they got a replacement ladder truck. In the meanwhile, they had to call for assistance from out of state whenever they had a major fire.

 

[2manyrocks]

Some TN Troopers are more relaxed about requirements than others, too. We got a new one recently -he's earned himself a reputation as a ticket writer.

I can't help with the details of what you're asking, but generally.... I'd trust chains and binders over nylon straps. It's your money (and your net worth if you get sued) riding on that trailer. Even if you're not at fault for starting an accident, you don't want to leave yourself open to someone saying you made it worse because whatever you were hauling flew off the trailer in an accident and landed on them.

 

[Uncle Wayne]

Sounds like the state gave you the rules for equipment > 10,000 lbs.

I think you are right. I asked several guys in the local tractor club and they said the same thing. I found a Cub Farmall in White Bluff, TN and made it home without any problem. I secured the tractor on 4 corners with separate 3" ratchet straps and run a single strap through the two plows and another thru the cultivator. I counted 6 state troopers who passed me and several more local police / sheriff cars and none gave me more than a second glance.

And a side note:
Towing the trailer with the tractor and implements wrecked my gas mileage. I was pulling the load with my Toyota Tacoma with a towing package installed. I normally get 20 to 21 mpgs around home. This trip dropped me to just better than 12 mpg.

 

[Ken45101]

Towing the trailer with the tractor and implements wrecked my gas mileage. I was pulling the load with my Toyota Tacoma with a towing package installed. I normally get 20 to 21 mpgs around home. This trip dropped me to just better than 12 mpg.

Yes, that's what happens.

 

[Wolfy]

Uncle Wayne, its not the regular troopers that will pull you over. It's those that drive the black Expeditions with the blue strobes built into the grill. But you are right, they normally don't bother with small trucks.