Q: NY State targetting horse trailers for fines???

[pluvinel]

Is this real? I was told that because the NY State budget shortfall, the NY State Hwy Patrol is targetting horse trailers (or tailers of any sort) to stop. If you have some arcane "violation" (such as not having crossed your chains) you will be fined.

Am thinking of picking up a horse in NY and am worried.

Any truth to this?

[JSwan]

Why would you be worried? Don't you always make sure your trailer is road worthy, your lights and brakes work, and it is hitched up properly?

[Lexus]

I once got pulled over because my trailer registration sticker had fallen off while someone flew past me at 90 miles an hour. I asked the officer why he didn't go after the speeder since he was certainly more of a danger than I was. The officer told me I was the easier target and that they always look for missing registration stickers on trailers for that reason. Maybe that's what is meant?

[mvp]

There was a thread about this a bit back. Do a search here.

If you are a non-pro, things are easier, but you must know what the law and meet those standards. I think you can go to the DMV and get a full list.

Most things will be obvious-- you need all horses' paper work in order, as well as your rig currently inspected and all lights working. Crossed chains I don't consider "arcane." Also check the battery in your breakaway box and make sure its charged. Perhaps that's arcane-- I hadn't checked mine in years and of course it needed recharging! You also need to have a fire extinguisher somewhere. Check.

These are the things I remember people mentioning.... and I have not been pulled over since the supposed crackdown started.

[pluvinel]

Why would you be worried? Don't you always make sure your trailer is road worthy, your lights and brakes work, and it is hitched up properly?

My trailer is incredibly roadworthy as I haul 12-13 hrs at times. Different states have different regs. Believe me, if a cop wants to "create" a fine, they WILL find a violation. I just don't want to get stuck on the road with a yearling in the trailer.

[spotmenow]

Yes, there is a thread on here regarding, but I'm not sure how accurate the info is. From what I understand, commercial shippers should be extra careful, but amateurs fall into a completely different category.

Just FYI-I live in NYS and have been shipping horses A LOT lately and haven't been stopped (I probably just jinxed myself). However, I live in the Saratoga Springs area so there are TONS of trailers all over the place and my little 3 horse stock combo doesn't even compare to the huge rigs pulling in and out of the track!

[JSwan]

I don't blame you one bit.

But I see a lot of scary rigs on the road and many horse owner's don't take care of their trailer, much less know how to haul properly. While I don't want you to be harassed or picked on in any way.... I kinda support the notion of taking a harder look at how people are towing.

I've seen doors flapping, holes in floors, chains not hooked up, lights not working, trailers swaying, overloaded trailers, bald tires, vehicles so over weighted in the hitch that the entire vehicle is pointing up at an angle - it's plain scary. And I only haul locally in a very horsey area.

I'd be thrilled if the cops started pulling over horse/livestock trailers and making sure they were safe/roadworthy. Most inspectors don't even check the battery and folks are driving around with no emergency brake.

Sorry - pet peeve of mine. Happy and safe trailering.

[Larksmom]

you should go back and look for the thread. It is real. The person posting had a lengthy conversation with the cop, and it is due to budget shortfalls, and they are looking for ANYTHING. While I agree you should be sure doors aren't swinging and tires are good etc, even tho I do not haul, I found it a very interesting thread

[Pat]

sigh...

here's the aforementioned thread: http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=210395

Be sure to read the WHOLE thread, not just the first few posts. It's atleast half BS rumor. It's NOT all real, larksmom, and it most certainly reads like a disgruntled dingus who was NOT in compliance with NYS law. I seriously doubt most of the claims in this email, especially the routine about the disconnecting of the electric brakes. And, even if you give the email the benefit of the doubt, the man admits to being a Race horse trainer, so yes, he should be considered commercial, and therefore his rig fell under commercial laws.

FWIW, you can fight a ticket if it's BS. My SO fought 2 different tickets that were complete BS, issued while he was driving a commercial vehicle, in New York City no less.

REGARDLESS of whether or not the state (any state) is "cracking down to raise money", you are REQUIRED by LAW to follow ALL your state's saftey regulations and if your rig falls under your state's DOT requirements to be considered a "commercial" rig, you can't cry foul or "oh, I didn't know" if you get caught in non-compliance of your state laws.

All states have laws in this matter and you need to make yourself educated!