After trailering back our boat Firefly from Florida and having to buy permits for being an Oversized Load, one of our followers asked about the permit process. Here is what Mark wrote in response in case any of you also would like to know.
Hello! Regarding the permits, we used a permit service called Mercury Permits - they are affiliated (in some fashion) with Boat US. Their cost isn't bad. If I remember correctly, they charge something like $15 per state. They have the... contacts and know what the rules are for the various states. There are a LOT of differences between states.
Hello! Regarding the permits, we used a permit service called Mercury Permits - they are affiliated (in some fashion) with Boat US. Their cost isn't bad. If I remember correctly, they charge something like $15 per state. They have the... contacts and know what the rules are for the various states. There are a LOT of differences between states.
I would definitely use a permitting company again - well worth the cost.
All of the states have their own rules (e.g., daylight hours only or not, weekday travel only, sat/sun no travel, or sat/sun only until noon, no travel when raining or foggy, no travel on holidays, or no travel on the entire holiday weekend, etc.). It's really a pain the butt . . . but indeed "do-able". With all of the states "special rules" you'll find that adds considerable expense to the permit.
In most all states, there is construction projects and/or road width limits. So, in most cases, your route will NOT be straight through on the interstate. Some were . . . but most were NOT. In some cases (like going around Dallas, for example, it was a horrible long and winding detour route. Also going around Mobile, AL. Too bad . . . you MUST follow the exact route that they give you.
Plan to take along an extra batch of patience and a fully charged cell phone! Also, you'll need (at least) 6 red flags, two Oversize Banners (front and rear), and two revolving amber caution lights. I would suggest a couple of extras on all these because if you lose something, they'll make you pull over in the weigh stations and fix the problem before they let you on the road - - - obtaining replacement would be expensive/time consuming in the middle of nowhere (for example, on the Texas/Oklahoma border). Also, lots of duct tape and zip ties.
Again, the hardest part is that all of the states have their own rules. Count on it being a bit frustrating.
All of the states have their own rules (e.g., daylight hours only or not, weekday travel only, sat/sun no travel, or sat/sun only until noon, no travel when raining or foggy, no travel on holidays, or no travel on the entire holiday weekend, etc.). It's really a pain the butt . . . but indeed "do-able". With all of the states "special rules" you'll find that adds considerable expense to the permit.
In most all states, there is construction projects and/or road width limits. So, in most cases, your route will NOT be straight through on the interstate. Some were . . . but most were NOT. In some cases (like going around Dallas, for example, it was a horrible long and winding detour route. Also going around Mobile, AL. Too bad . . . you MUST follow the exact route that they give you.
Plan to take along an extra batch of patience and a fully charged cell phone! Also, you'll need (at least) 6 red flags, two Oversize Banners (front and rear), and two revolving amber caution lights. I would suggest a couple of extras on all these because if you lose something, they'll make you pull over in the weigh stations and fix the problem before they let you on the road - - - obtaining replacement would be expensive/time consuming in the middle of nowhere (for example, on the Texas/Oklahoma border). Also, lots of duct tape and zip ties.
Again, the hardest part is that all of the states have their own rules. Count on it being a bit frustrating.
No comments:
Post a Comment