Warning everyone....

[stubby1]

I was talking to a friend of mine today and he was saying the D.O.T was south of Baudette near the Coast Guard station on Friday afternoon.For those of you that don't know who the D.O.T. are,they are the truck inspectors for the highway patrol.They usually pull over the truck drivers and check their log book and do a safety inspection on the rig,ie... check the lights,turn signals, brakes etc.As I said,the truck driver that I spoke to, said there were 6 D.o.t.'s near the coast guard station south of Baudette and they where checking some big trucks but mostly they where checking cars/pick ups pulling trailers.He said that when he drove by they had 2 pick-ups with ice houses and 2 pick-ups with boats pulled over giving them safety checks.He figured the ice houses were coming from LOW and the boats where coming from down south to fish LOW.This made us think,just how many ice houses have rear lights?How many are overwidth.How many boat trailers have working lights or trailer brakes.I used to drive over the road myself and I have many friends that still do.We all thought that it was unfair that we were they only ones that got pulled over and checked out when there were some very questionable trailers out driving around.BUT we thought that was really low of the D.O.T. to be pulling over the fishermen. How many of the fisherman from outside the area would want to come back after getting a stiff fine for overwidth,no trailer lights,inoperable trailer brakes etc.I don't know if this was a once a summer thing, or if this is just the start of a new program that the state of MN is doing?I just wanted to give everyone a little heads up.Make sure that all your lights and brakes(if equiped)work,and if you do get pulled over be polite.I found that if you treat the D.O.T. with respect they treat you with respect.You just may end up with a warning over a hefty ticket if your polite and honest about the whole deal.Good luck in your travels and good luck sinking your lines. Stubby

[Guest]

The law does exist for fisherman that travel and fish for money that you need to comply with D.O.T. regs.If you travel interstate and fish for money,tournies,you must comply with all the rules.That includes U.S.D.O.T. numbers,inspections,log books health cards and so forth.Thier is a set of regs for intrastate commerece to follow also.We pull a race car for a hobby on weekends and are considered the same as a full time trucker.You need to follow rules if you fish for money,they consider that commerce,and what you have to comply with depends on what you truck and trailer weigh and if you run intra or interstate for fishing.If you claim income on your taxes,have sponsors are issued 1099s,they have these rules.You can find out from the state of MN,or FMCSA..

[JohnMickish]

I don't know about that. If your over length, over weight, over width or lights don't work you really shoulnd't be on the road. It dosen't matter if it's a boat or fish house of semi truck. If your unsafe you shoulnd't be on the road. If your lights don't work and you get hit from behind it's YOUR fault. If someone gets hurt it's YOUR fault. If your trailor is not legal and something happens, the accident is YOUR fault. You could be held financially liable for other peoples injuries and don't count on your insurance company being nice enough to cover an illegal act. Whats cheaper, the $80 taillight kit, the ticket or the court costs?

Please do everyone a favor and make sure your trailer is legal.

[CrappieJohn]

If the fishermen are within the letter of the law, they should have no problem with this. The only ones who do have a burr under their skirts wiould be those who are skirting the law. Go to the top of this forum and read the first thread.....how do you think these peolpe get caught if no one calls them in. I'm all for it.

[Giant_Jackpot]

I agree with mnfishinguy, if your stuff don’t work, fix it before you get on the road!

[Guest]

Thats why thier cracking down on everyone,because of the unsafe stuff on the road.

[Fisher Dave]

I'm all for it too... I have seen(we all have) way too many *Sanford and Son* rigs out there, especially pertaining to ice houses. When I used to pull around big permanents, I always used to go the extra mile to be sure I was safe and LEGAL for road use.

Whether its an ice house, boat, whatever.. the last thing I want to do is go down the road and have to slam on the brakes to have a *soccer mom*, complete with kids come piling into the back of my trailer because the lights werent working, etc.

[JohnMickish]

Or have the trailer come off and plow into said soccer mom and kids. It happens every few years. Please make sure your chains are hooked up too.

[PierBridge]

Quote:

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I'm all for it too... I have seen(we all have) way too many *Sanford and Son* rigs out there, especially pertaining to ice houses.

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Nothing worse then these homemade *Sanford and Son* Fishhouse on wheels and driving to Red or LOW their scary, I'm always waiting for one to come across the center line and nail me, driving behind one going 40 mph on Hwy is brutal also, you see them with bent axels, low bald tires, the lights never work their top heavy.

[Anthony]

Living way up here, I can see where having to haul some stuff can be a challenge. Another idea is to just store that big stuff right up here. We have many resorts and landowners who have space to store fish-houses year round for about $100. If the house is right on the edge of the lake and all you need to do is drag out to your favorite spot, there is nothing illegal and you don't have to maintain lights, brakes, etc.

Seems like a win-win and keeps the roads safer.