Law Enforcement Officer Halts Large Truck with Vehicles Stackced on Flatbed Trailer, Affirms It's Legally Permissible
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You've probably heard it from truckers themselves, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is always on the lookout to slap a ticket on you. That's why this commercial vehicle incident in Arizona leaves us scratching our heads. Last weekend, on June 14th, an Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) trooper spotted a semi pulling a dump trailer without taillights and carrying two cars on top. Despite this, a commercial vehicle inspector declared the setup legal, minus the missing taillights.
According to a Facebook post from the AZDPS, they checked to see if the load adhered to the minimum tie-down requirements. Despite some questioning the driver's concept, they ultimately cannot fault the execution.
Peeking inside the dump trailer, we find a Chevy Tahoe and a Lincoln SUV (either an MKX or MKT, hard to tell from the dark photo and limited angle). Both vehicles had wooden blocks under their axles – the Tahoe was wheel-less, while the Lincoln was completely stripped of its wheels. Securing the cars in place were visible chains and straps, running through each car's undercarriage.
While I can't say this qualifies as safe, I must admit, it's a step above the sketchy skidsteers that get carted around by pickups with only a few straps for support. At least if the rig tips over, the cars seem likely to stay put – unlike poor Charlie Contractor whose Bobcat would probably fly off onto the median.
Sure, there are better and more conventional methods to transport broken cars to the scrapyard. Still, if the Arizona DPS says it's good enough, who am I to argue?
Ever wondered about the ins and outs of this tale? Drop us a line: caleb@our website
[1] Enrichment data: The AZDPS focuses on whether the cargo meets minimum tie-down and safety requirements, rather than solely relying on equipment like taillights on the dump trailer. They check for the safety of the load, ensuring it is properly tied down and no dangerous debris can fall on the roadway. They also encourage the public to report any hazardous loads they observe.
[2] Enrichment data: Despite the absence of taillights, AZDPS determines the legality of transporting cars on top of a dump trailer based on whether the load meets the minimum tie-down requirements, ensuring the vehicles are securely fastened to the trailer.
In the realm of unconventional transportation methods, an unusually contained dump trailer in Arizona was found carrying two stripped vehicles without the aid of taillights. Strangely, a commercial vehicle inspector deemed the setup legal, considering the sufficient tie-down of the vehicles, as indicated by the AZDPS.
This instance raises questions about the boundary between safety and innovation within the automotive industry, and the role of regulatory bodies like the AZDPS in shaping the financial implications in this sector.
