Ok, one more time: towing for a friend - Diesel Forum

FTG-05 · 04-24-2006, 09:24 PM

Fellow 4x4 club member needs to have a vehicle picked up about 3 hours away from where I live all within the same state (AL). I'd rather not lend out my trailer, which was his first choice; plus I really need to the trailer time since I'm planning a 6k mile trip during the summer.

Payload is Jeep Cherokee, shouldn't weigh more than 4500 lbs or so, on a tag along 7k lb car hauler. Trailer pics here

I'm planning on getting from him the cost of my fuel and that's about it.

Anything I need to be careful of or be aware of, law-wise, for towing for a friend?

Thanks,

Al

Texascadillac42 · 04-24-2006, 09:41 PM

The only thing that might be worth having is the vehicle title, or some proof of ownership of the vehicle, so IF you do get pulled over for anything, you have some paperwork on the Jeep. Other than that, it is just a favor among friends, and there are no commercial or legal specialties about the situation AFAIK

ovrtrn · 04-25-2006, 12:40 PM

Tow it and don't worry about it. If you do get pulled over just tell him it belongs to a friend.

FTG-05 · 04-25-2006, 02:11 PM

Actually, I think the plan is that he's on the ride with me. He has to do the title paperwork and pay for the vehicle.

It just seems that if you tow anything that's not yours, it's considered a business by DOT.....

barrelhorses · 04-25-2006, 06:48 PM

How is it that you would be conducting "business" in this transaction? You are doing a favor for a friend. Sure you might get a little gas money and maybe a meal out of it, but that ain't business. That's just what buddies do. If a friend does something for me, I usually in turn do something for him. That way it's not such a one-sided relationship. I'd say go for it....

JimTJr · 04-25-2006, 09:03 PM

[ QUOTE ]
It just seems that if you tow anything that's not yours, it's considered a business by DOT.....

[/ QUOTE ] I dont know where your coming from there,, I have NEVER heard of anyone being hasseled by DOT for hauling a car for friends, ect...
[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] Just do it, you dont have anything to worry about...

ovrtrn · 04-25-2006, 11:45 PM

Since he is with you that is even less reason to worry about it at all! In any case play dumb if pulled over and asked if you are getting payed!!!

stinger75ih · 04-26-2006, 12:15 AM

I would be much more worried about the trailer being legal for the weight being carried than justifying anything about the load. Trailers are sold all the time that are legal with no load, but become illegal as soon as you put any additional weight on them. Check the laws on braking requirements and breakaway kits for a 7K weight in your state. Depending on the trailer weight you may want to look at your hitch and ball rating and ensure they are at least over 6K for your own piece of mind.

JimTJr · 04-26-2006, 06:30 AM

I think people are making a much bigger deal out of this than it has to be!!!!!!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]
Just do it and be carefull if you have not towed much of anything in your past!

BigBadLou · 04-27-2006, 02:08 PM

I do this all the time (at least once a year). My buddy usually breaks down somewhere so I grab the trailer and go pick 'im up. He pays for the fuel and that's about it. If I ever get pulled over, I wouldn't even think to worry about the car on the trailer (the cop has no need to run the plate cuz it's not a moving vehicle, it's cargo) or who's paying for the fuel. That's none of DOT's business.

A personal favor, that's all there is to it.

Hope this helps.
Lou

Texascadillac42 · 04-28-2006, 07:05 PM

The only reason I mentioned carrying paper work on the vehicle being towed is because of an experience I had with an Ohio Trooper. I got pulled over for speeding along I-80. He asked many questions about the vehicle I had on the trailer, and looked at all the paperwork to make sure it wasnt stolen. He even let me off with a warning [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] My lucky day I guess. Having paperwork wont hurt, even if you dont use it 9 times out of 10.

Down South · 04-30-2006, 10:33 AM

The last time I talked to my local DOT they told me to make sure no receipts were laying around. That's the first thing they look for in situations like this one. For some strange reason, most folks that are charging to carry a load seem to just throw the receipt on the dash or passengers seat.
If they can’t prove you are hauling for pay then it’s considered hauling for yourself.

SAVAGESAM · 04-30-2006, 04:58 PM

If your worried about legalities, go with him but let him take his truck to tow your trailer.

Crabby · 04-30-2006, 06:43 PM

Insurance --- you and your insurance company will carry the risk....

my97TJ · 04-30-2006, 08:45 PM

[ QUOTE ]
an experience I had with an Ohio Trooper. .... He even let me off with a warning

[/ QUOTE ]

At first I'm thinking "Liar!" An Ohio Trooper letting an out of state driver off with only a warning? Doesn't happen. But noticed you're not from Michigan. So maybe it's true.

BTY, they pick on Michigan drivers cuz our college teams keep kicking their college teams butts! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]