Who has been pulled over for double towing illegally???

Wadcutter wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

Wadcutter wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

Wadcutter wrote:

I was heading southbound on the interstate and saw him going northbound. My first thought was "that pickup and boat is riding that Class A's butt." Then when they got even with me I could see they were all connected. Such a combination sticks out.

So it looked unsafe?

Looked unsafe? It looked illegal.
A class A can legally tow a trailer but it can't tow a trailer, a Dodge pickup and a boat all at the same time. He was almost 100 ft long which is also illegal.

So is running 1 MPH over the speed limit. Did you pull all those over too?

What are you talking about? That may be a rhetorical question since you apparently don't know.
I never said anything about speed.
If I see any 4 vehicle combinations you bet I would pull them over. It's not hardly the same as 1 mph over.

Not trying to start something , just wondering what made him more illegal then anyone else?.

Yeah, right. Obviously you can't tell the difference between 1 mph over and 4 vehicles in combination.

I know you've said it before that you don't catch all the fish while fishing but when they are practically jumping in the boat and you ignore them you go after a specific one it seems you are picking.
Again, I'm not trying to start anything I am just truly trying to have a friendly conversation with a professional that has great experience in this.

If you want a friendly conversation then you need to re-read what I wrote about the stop. Since you apparently missed it or couldn't understand my previous comment here it is again:
It was 4 vehicles connected together. Class A pulling a box trailer which had a Dodge pickup connected to the box trailer and the pickup had a boat connected to it. Do I need to post a drawing? 4 vehicles connected together - Class A, trailer, pickup, boat.
I'm sure even you could look at 4 vehicles all connected together driving down the interstate and recognize a hitch connection between each. No one said anything about 1 mph over. 4 vehicles connected is not even close to the same.
Using your own statement "but when they are practically jumping in the boat" - 4 vehicles connected together is jumping into the boat.
Any other laws that you don't think should be enforced?
You sound like you may be the guy who was driving the outfit I described and stopped. He was whining the same thing you are now. Why me? Why not stop all the others out here? Did you learn anything?

I read your post just fine the first time. I can also see the there is no way of having a friendly conversation because of all the questions and the way you asked them. I'm not stupid and you don't have to draw me a picture. I'm not telling you to not enforce any laws I'm just saying that I think if you are going to enforce 1 then you should enforce all. This guy was probably just heading out on a nice vacation not bothering a sole not causing any harm taking his time trying to get from point A to point B and relax. You pulling him over and all you accomplish was ruining his vacation and you getting some out of state money. Also now if he wants to do this again he will have to burn twice as much fuel and put twice as much pollutants out by driving two vehicles. All because it's a law that by the way was probably made by people that have never towed anything in their life and they think it looks unsafe.

On the other side of this, those people that are running 1,2,5,10 over the speed limit are doing it because they couldn't drag their bottoms out of bed early enough to get to work on time so they try to make it up on the road. With that driving over the speed limit comes people getting cut off, road rage, and all sorts of SAFE things. You as a LEO didn't see these cut offs and road rages and things because when a LEO is around it's funny how people can just fall in line and drive like they have some sense......until you're out of sight then it's back to driving crazy and now it's worse because they lost 15 seconds having to drive normal around a LEO.

If you re-read you said that you did not pull him over because he looked unsafe. You said you pulled him over because he was illegal. Driving 1 MPH is just as "Illegal" as 5 MPH or 20 MPH or 4 vehicles hooked together. Am I not right about this? The law is the law correct?

BTW, I'm not the guy you pulled over and to be quite honest could care less what that guy does as long as he is safe about it. Now if you had pulled him over and he didn't have sufficient brakes for his rig or tires or anything else that would make it unsafe then write away. IMO there are far more unsafe things let go then a guy driving down the interstate in his RV towing three trailers. Especially now days with all the bells and whistles that are on vehicles that distract drivers. I have all the respect in the world for you as a LEO and I could never do you job for many reasons but giving some laws slack and others not is unfair and that is JMO.

Okay ,now you can tell me how stupid and wrong I am with more of your questions.;)

dahkota wrote:
towing laws by state

Thanks for the link it looks pretty complete.

Denny

Wadcutter wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

Wadcutter wrote:

n7bsn wrote:
A few years back a retired LEO from the mid-west posted he had once stopped someone using a pickup to pull three trailers!

3 trailers is an illegal combination in a lot of state, IL included.
The weirdest combination I ever stopped was about 10 yrs ago. A Class A pulling a box trailer which had a ball hitch on the back. To the box trailer he had connected a Dodge Dakota pickup which had a tow bar on the front. To the Dakota he had hitched a boat. 4 units in tow. He had crossed into IL just south of St Louis on I-255. By the time I had stopped him he had traveled over 100 miles into IL. He complained that if he was illegal he should have been stopped 100 miles sooner. He got tickets for illegal combination and overlength. Had I written him everything that was wrong I could probably still be writing.

Hey Wadcutter, When you stopped this guy, can you remember what caught your attention? Was it an unsafe looking rig, going to fast, doing something stupid (besides having a load hooked like that) or just on patrols? I'm just curious.

I was heading southbound on the interstate and saw him going northbound. My first thought was "that pickup and boat is riding that Class A's butt." Then when they got even with me I could see they were all connected. Such a combination sticks out.

Me Again wrote:
So do you think the Anderson hitch which connects via a ball in place on the king pin is a "fifth-wheel type assembly" per the code above? Would an Anderson hitch require safety chains in your state? Chris

I'm not familiar with an Anderson hitch. The definition of a 5th wheel assembly is in the IL statutes:
(625 ILCS 5/1-120.5)
Sec. 1-120.5. Fifth wheel assembly. A coupling device connecting 2 or more vehicles operating in combination. The lower half of a fifth wheel assembly mounted on a truck tractor or converter dolly must be secured to the frame of that vehicle with properly designed brackets, mounting plates, or angles and properly tightened bolts of adequate size and grade or devices that provide equivalent security. The installation shall not cause cracking, warping, or deformation of the frame. The installation shall include a device for positively preventing the lower half of the fifth wheel assembly from shifting on the frame to which it is attached.
The upper half of a fifth wheel assembly must be fastened to the motor vehicle with at least the same security required for the installation of the lower half on a truck tractor or converter dolly.
Every fifth wheel assembly shall have a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism and any adapter used in conjunction with it must prevent separation of the upper and lower halves of the fifth wheel assembly unless a positive manual release is activated. The release may be located so that the driver can operate it from the cab. If a motor vehicle has a fifth wheel assembly designed and constructed to be readily separable, the fifth wheel assembly locking devices shall apply automatically on coupling.
The lower half of a fifth wheel assembly shall be located so that, regardless of the condition of loading, the relationship between the kingpin and the rear axle or axles of the towing motor vehicle will properly distribute the gross weight of both the towed and towing vehicles on the axles of those vehicles, will not unduly interfere with the steering, braking, and other maneuvering of the towing vehicle, and will not otherwise contribute to unsafe operation of the vehicles comprising the combination. The upper half of a fifth wheel assembly shall be located so that the weight of the vehicles is properly distributed on their axles and the combination of vehicles will operate safely during normal operation.
(Source: P.A. 90-89, eff. 1-1-98.)

Under a strict reading of that statute, I'd say that the Anderson hitch does NOT qualify as a fifth wheel, since it specifically says "kingpin", which the Anderson does not have. In AZ, if that statute were in effect, you'd have to use safety chains and you couldn't double-tow because you'd have ball hitch/ball hitch, which isn't allowed here. Also, there are several of the less expensive FW hitches that don't automatically lock; I'm thinking the slide bar type. They specifically aren't legal under that statute, IMO. Also, you've got to get nailed by a LEO that actually knows what these things are... :-)

Lyle

transamz9 wrote:

Wadcutter wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

Wadcutter wrote:

I was heading southbound on the interstate and saw him going northbound. My first thought was "that pickup and boat is riding that Class A's butt." Then when they got even with me I could see they were all connected. Such a combination sticks out.

So it looked unsafe?

Looked unsafe? It looked illegal.
A class A can legally tow a trailer but it can't tow a trailer, a Dodge pickup and a boat all at the same time. He was almost 100 ft long which is also illegal.

So is running 1 MPH over the speed limit. Did you pull all those over too?

What are you talking about? That may be a rhetorical question since you apparently don't know.
I never said anything about speed.
If I see any 4 vehicle combinations you bet I would pull them over. It's not hardly the same as 1 mph over.

Not trying to start something , just wondering what made him more illegal then anyone else?.

Yeah, right. Obviously you can't tell the difference between 1 mph over and 4 vehicles in combination.

I know you've said it before that you don't catch all the fish while fishing but when they are practically jumping in the boat and you ignore them you go after a specific one it seems you are picking.
Again, I'm not trying to start anything I am just truly trying to have a friendly conversation with a professional that has great experience in this.

If you want a friendly conversation then you need to re-read what I wrote about the stop. Since you apparently missed it or couldn't understand my previous comment here it is again:
It was 4 vehicles connected together. Class A pulling a box trailer which had a Dodge pickup connected to the box trailer and the pickup had a boat connected to it. Do I need to post a drawing? 4 vehicles connected together - Class A, trailer, pickup, boat.
I'm sure even you could look at 4 vehicles all connected together driving down the interstate and recognize a hitch connection between each. No one said anything about 1 mph over. 4 vehicles connected is not even close to the same.
Using your own statement "but when they are practically jumping in the boat" - 4 vehicles connected together is jumping into the boat.
Any other laws that you don't think should be enforced?
You sound like you may be the guy who was driving the outfit I described and stopped. He was whining the same thing you are now. Why me? Why not stop all the others out here? Did you learn anything?

Wadcutter wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

Wadcutter wrote:

I was heading southbound on the interstate and saw him going northbound. My first thought was "that pickup and boat is riding that Class A's butt." Then when they got even with me I could see they were all connected. Such a combination sticks out.

So it looked unsafe?

Looked unsafe? It looked illegal.
A class A can legally tow a trailer but it can't tow a trailer, a Dodge pickup and a boat all at the same time. He was almost 100 ft long which is also illegal.

So is running 1 MPH over the speed limit. Did you pull all those over too? Not trying to start something , just wondering what made him more illegal then anyone else? I know you've said it before that you don't catch all the fish while fishing but when they are practically jumping in the boat and you ignore them you go after a specific one it seems you are picking.

Again, I'm not trying to start anything I am just truly trying to have a friendly conversation with a professional that has great experience in this.

transamz9 wrote:

Wadcutter wrote:

I was heading southbound on the interstate and saw him going northbound. My first thought was "that pickup and boat is riding that Class A's butt." Then when they got even with me I could see they were all connected. Such a combination sticks out.

So it looked unsafe?

Looked unsafe? It looked illegal.
A class A can legally tow a trailer but it can't tow a trailer, a Dodge pickup and a boat all at the same time. He was almost 100 ft long which is also illegal.

My RV dealer strong advised against double tow, just for the fact that if a LEO has a bad day, you get to pay for their woes. Jealousy in a round about way..... If they want to pinch some one, you will get pinched if they try had enough. I had the feeling they had dealt with a lot of legalities as a commercial hauler.

Wadcutter wrote:

I was heading southbound on the interstate and saw him going northbound. My first thought was "that pickup and boat is riding that Class A's butt." Then when they got even with me I could see they were all connected. Such a combination sticks out.

So it looked unsafe?

DSteiner51 wrote:

Wadcutter wrote:


I'm not familiar with an Anderson hitch. The definition of a 5th wheel assembly is in the IL statutes:
(625 ILCS 5/1-120.5)
Sec. 1-120.5. Fifth wheel assembly. A coupling device connecting 2 or more vehicles operating in combination. The lower half of a fifth wheel assembly mounted on a truck tractor or converter dolly must be secured to the frame of that vehicle with properly designed brackets, mounting plates, or angles and properly tightened bolts of adequate size and grade or devices that provide equivalent security. The installation shall not cause cracking, warping, or deformation of the frame. The installation shall include a device for positively preventing the lower half of the fifth wheel assembly from shifting on the frame to which it is attached.
The upper half of a fifth wheel assembly must be fastened to the motor vehicle with at least the same security required for the installation of the lower half on a truck tractor or converter dolly.
Every fifth wheel assembly shall have a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism and any adapter used in conjunction with it must prevent separation of the upper and lower halves of the fifth wheel assembly unless a positive manual release is activated. The release may be located so that the driver can operate it from the cab. If a motor vehicle has a fifth wheel assembly designed and constructed to be readily separable, the fifth wheel assembly locking devices shall apply automatically on coupling.
The lower half of a fifth wheel assembly shall be located so that, regardless of the condition of loading, the relationship between the kingpin and the rear axle or axles of the towing motor vehicle will properly distribute the gross weight of both the towed and towing vehicles on the axles of those vehicles, will not unduly interfere with the steering, braking, and other maneuvering of the towing vehicle, and will not otherwise contribute to unsafe operation of the vehicles comprising the combination. The upper half of a fifth wheel assembly shall be located so that the weight of the vehicles is properly distributed on their axles and the combination of vehicles will operate safely during normal operation.
(Source: P.A. 90-89, eff. 1-1-98.)

Hummmm? So there are one or two models of 5th wheels not approved and one or two gooseneck hitches approved because they lock automatically?

If you say so. I'm not familiar with all the different makes of hitches.
What I posted is the definition as stated by statute.

Wadcutter wrote:


I'm not familiar with an Anderson hitch. The definition of a 5th wheel assembly is in the IL statutes:
(625 ILCS 5/1-120.5)
Sec. 1-120.5. Fifth wheel assembly. A coupling device connecting 2 or more vehicles operating in combination. The lower half of a fifth wheel assembly mounted on a truck tractor or converter dolly must be secured to the frame of that vehicle with properly designed brackets, mounting plates, or angles and properly tightened bolts of adequate size and grade or devices that provide equivalent security. The installation shall not cause cracking, warping, or deformation of the frame. The installation shall include a device for positively preventing the lower half of the fifth wheel assembly from shifting on the frame to which it is attached.
The upper half of a fifth wheel assembly must be fastened to the motor vehicle with at least the same security required for the installation of the lower half on a truck tractor or converter dolly.
Every fifth wheel assembly shall have a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism and any adapter used in conjunction with it must prevent separation of the upper and lower halves of the fifth wheel assembly unless a positive manual release is activated. The release may be located so that the driver can operate it from the cab. If a motor vehicle has a fifth wheel assembly designed and constructed to be readily separable, the fifth wheel assembly locking devices shall apply automatically on coupling.
The lower half of a fifth wheel assembly shall be located so that, regardless of the condition of loading, the relationship between the kingpin and the rear axle or axles of the towing motor vehicle will properly distribute the gross weight of both the towed and towing vehicles on the axles of those vehicles, will not unduly interfere with the steering, braking, and other maneuvering of the towing vehicle, and will not otherwise contribute to unsafe operation of the vehicles comprising the combination. The upper half of a fifth wheel assembly shall be located so that the weight of the vehicles is properly distributed on their axles and the combination of vehicles will operate safely during normal operation.
(Source: P.A. 90-89, eff. 1-1-98.)

Hummmm? So there are one or two models of 5th wheels not approved and one or two gooseneck hitches approved because they lock automatically?