DOT permits for overwidth

larryanderson

Well-known Member
A farmer had just purchased a 4440 in Minn and
stopped to get some duals. It had 109in axles that
I noticed had red flags on them and no overwidth
signs.He said he contacted the DOT and was told
being he was a farmer hauling his own tractor he
would be O.K.I have a DOT # ,CDL,med card but only
haul for myself using the farmer card but know of
people that have paid fines for the same thing.It
would be nice if everyone was on the same page.I
hire out of state tractors hauled as it is not
worth the risk.Fire Away!
 
Funny thing is normal license and plead stupid usually it's regular business. But put the CDL and endorsements,dot # and automatically your making a killing and they want there cut. Here in Mi a over width good for 3 days cost 40$. I just get one just to pi@# in the cops wheaties when I'm using my p/u and gooseneck. Sometimes I feel it's just not worth it to try doing this anymore,the cost associated with trucking DOES NOT out weigh the profit.
 
Super Trucker : I pay $25.00 For permits in MI. You can get them yourself and not pay the service fee the permit service is charging you. If you read a little further in the information the towing vehicle in MI is supposed to be a 1 1/2 ton or bigger with dual wheels too. Will not say it on the permit.
 
Every state seems to have different rules on different days..Overwidth permits are just money makers as they dont make the load any narrower...

Most of us are well aware that we might be 6" or a foot overwidth so we watch our driving,have our red flags,etc...No one should be driving that close to us anyways..

I can see where permits and an escort are needed on loads that are well overwidth..A farmer with an axle hanging over 3" on each side shouldnt need one..
 
Oversized is a state thing. The feds just set where oversize starts. If the states choose to set a higher standard they are allowed to.

While being 3 or 6 inches over is no big deal they have to draw the line in the sand somewhere. If 6 inches is allowed then why not 9.
In fact the feds are already giving you 6 inches on some roads. Legal width is 96 inches but if you stay on a piticular set of roads they allow 102 without a permit.

Permits are also a good thing especially when dealing with height. The state will set the route based on known clearances.
 
John I think 102 is just about standard in most state now. I know that 1/4 our fleet were 102's and we went everywhere in a four state area (Wis.,Ill., Ind. and Mich.).
 
something to think about, all reply have good merit is their statements, but if that is the case of 102 wide is legal, every unit on the road is illegal,,why,,,how wide are the mirrors? so should every t/t & truck on the road have a permit for over 102" for mirrors to see behind a 102" trailers...yea, the states are never on the same page,,,they are not even in the right book...lol
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Has been a few years since I turned in my keys.
Feds set 102" for Interstates, & states must allow them for access to terminals & service facilities. Almost all states allow 102" on state & secondary roads.
Don't have a "little green book" now, but there is fine print that says mirrors, latches on side doors, etc do not count in the 102 limit.
Willie
 
the OD permits used to be a pain.. but can ge them right over the phone for our flatbed nowadays.. just fax in a aper.. call in credit card.. OD permit shows up a few days later ( blanket permit is what we get ).. single trip is cheaper.e tc..
 

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