Hitch style bike haulers

[Shu]

I have a SportX type and according to the cop who pulled me over tonight(DUI check) they are illegal.....any thing that blocks the view of the plate....even when it's a 2"x2" post...is illegal and an excuse for them to pull you over....I was leaving Danny K's when the cop pulled me over and used my rack as the reason...Really he wanted to check to see if I was under the influence...(I had only 1 large beer)...when he realized I was ok to drive b/c I passed his test...he said he could give me a ticket but was going to give me a pass this time and let me go....not a minute after driving away I saw his lights go on again....

The point of my post is even if you've only had 1 drink...be careful b/c they will use whatever that can to check you out...I was pulled over soley b/c I was leaving the bar...I wasn't speeding...swerving or anything like that....if you are familiar w/ Danny K's I pulled out of the lot on Struck and truned left onto Main...I was lit up before Katella....total distance 1000'....I was sitting at the signal waiting for it to turn green when he pulled behind me and I knew he was going to lite me up....

Be careful guys and girls..

Don't drive drunk/buzzed

[Cyanide41]

Yeah, if you leave a hitch ball on your bumper they could get you for that too if it blocks the plate. I would suggest taking the rack out of the hitch when not in use.

[jamisjake]

Also, did you know, they are proposing for 2009 to change the DUI limit from .08 to .05? Thats just one beer folks! CRAP!

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by jamisjake

Also, did you know, they are proposing for 2009 to change the DUI limit from .08 to .05? Thats just one beer folks! CRAP!

This will make me very popular, but I think they should make it .00. Makes it very easy to figure out, if you drink at all don't drive.

I have also noticed following cars with bike in the racks that it is hard to see the brake and turn lights. Poe Poe can get you for that too.

Dean

[Pain Freak]

My wife had half a glass of beer once and got pulled over. She passed the tests and her blood alcohol level was .025 and the illegal is .08, but she still was ticketed and had to do everything the same as if it was a DUI because in the judges eyes it impaired her driving, so even a half glass of beer will get you busted. I'm with Dean, if you have ANY, don't freekin drive and give them the chance to ruin your lifes for a few years.

They've turned it into a money making revenue source now days and there are even orders from up rop to pick up the pace sometimes in busting people for DUI, the counties need more money and this is a good place to get it.

[quazi]

Thanks for the post. I ususally keep my Sportworks on and flipped up on my Escalade and had no idea. I keep it on there because it's a pain to remove, it also makes the truck ride better with a little weight back there. On a Friday or Sat night if end up at a restaurant or bar and drink I will taxi home then in the morning do a ride back to the establishment then throw the bike on rack (sometimes the best hangover cure is a forced ride).

[DISCO]

You could not be more right about the revenue thing, it is most certainly a for profit enterprise. And forget about fighting it even with a .25, as soon as you get to trail M.A.D.D. mothers show up and start testifying what a baby killer you are, expert witness my ass.

It's not like we want to take out a school bus full of Girl scouts, but how else are we supposed to get our car back to the house?

You want to talk about demeaning in a "group therapy" session they have grown adults playing charades, listening to music, and drawing on a whiteboard "non-drinking activities". I'm wondering if next we will play duck,duck, goose or musical chairs. Just hitch a ride kids, especially if your car is a POS because you will stand out between 10 and 4.

[OTHRIDER]

The license plate blockage is a weak excuse.

The CHP in Santa Fe Springs explained to me the way "they" see it.

1. If the item obscuring the license plate is bolted or attached to the bumper, you might be in the wrong.

2. It the item obscuring the license plate is hanging out of the back of your truck within legal limits (based on wheelbase length - imagine a canoe that is flagged), you are most likely OK.

3. If the item obscuring the license plate is attached through a receiver/hitch system, you're OK. Otherwise, every single person towing a trailer, boat, popup camper etc. would be guilty (not to mention all of the wheelchairs on rear racks).

The CHP told me in no uncertain terms, my Thule rack is legal up, down or with a bike loaded.

[mtnbikej]

Well, since I don't drink.......I don't think this will be a problem.

[doublewide]

Originally Posted by mtnbikej

Well, since I don't drink.......I don't think this will be a problem.

Maybe you should! It's FUN and ALL the cool kids are doing it!



shitty That's a Root Beer for you J

[DBD]

Originally Posted by OTHRIDER

...
3. If the item obscuring the license plate is attached through a receiver/hitch system, you're OK. Otherwise, every single person towing a trailer, boat, popup camper etc. would be guilty (not to mention all of the wheelchairs on rear racks).....

Actually, even though it is alright for a trailer to block the view of your plates, your trailers are supposed to be licensed (with the exception of "Park Trailers" and "Trailer Coach") but weather or not you get pulled over is a judgment call by the officer at the time ...

Commercial Vehicle Registration Act (CVRA)
The Commercial Vehicle Registration Act (CVRA) changed the way the Department of Motor Vehicles registers commercial motor vehicles and some trailers

Which vehicles are affected?
This law affects:

• Commercial motor vehicles with a declared gross vehicle weight (GVW) or combined gross vehicle weight (CGW) of 10,001 lbs. or more.
• Most trailers (for example, semi-trailers, boat trailers, utility trailers, or horse trailers.)"

[DirtymikeTDB]

Originally Posted by Cyanide41

Yeah, if you leave a hitch ball on your bumper they could get you for that too if it blocks the plate. I would suggest taking the rack out of the hitch when not in use.

I used to have two trailers, they both had different size balls, one was 2 in one was 1 7/8's so I had both on the bumper, got me a ticket, and had to remove at least one.

Originally Posted by jamisjake

Also, did you know, they are proposing for 2009 to change the DUI limit from .08 to .05? Thats just one beer folks! CRAP!

I think I am actually ok with that.

Originally Posted by dstepper

This will make me very popular, but I think they should make it .00. Makes it very easy to figure out, if you drink at all don't drive.

<Snip>

Dean

I think i would be ok with that too, seeing how I already do that myself.

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

My wife had half a glass of beer once and got pulled over. She passed the tests and her blood alcohol level was .025 and the illegal is .08, but she still was ticketed and had to do everything the same as if it was a DUI because in the judges eyes it impaired her driving, so even a half glass of beer will get you busted. I'm with Dean, if you have ANY, don't freekin drive and give them the chance to ruin your lifes for a few years.

They've turned it into a money making revenue source now days and there are even orders from up rop to pick up the pace sometimes in busting people for DUI, the counties need more money and this is a good place to get it.

Gotta love when the judge decides to go ahead and give you a wet and wreckless ticket. those are just as friggin bad.

Originally Posted by OTHRIDER

The license plate blockage is a weak excuse.

The CHP in Santa Fe Springs explained to me the way "they" see it.

1. If the item obscuring the license plate is bolted or attached to the bumper, you might be in the wrong.

2. It the item obscuring the license plate is hanging out of the back of your truck within legal limits (based on wheelbase length - imagine a canoe that is flagged), you are most likely OK.

3. If the item obscuring the license plate is attached through a receiver/hitch system, you're OK. Otherwise, every single person towing a trailer, boat, popup camper etc. would be guilty (not to mention all of the wheelchairs on rear racks).

The CHP told me in no uncertain terms, my Thule rack is legal up, down or with a bike loaded.

Unfortunatly, it is illeagal to drive with a hitch style bike rack that blocks your plate when the bikes are not installed, its blocking your plate, while most probably wont care, you just might be in for a decent ticket. Most every Wheel chair rack out there, has been approved by DoT to relocate the license plate, seeing how most every Wheelchair rack will always be on the vehicle, remember to move your license plate, it actually has to be an approved method/reason by DoT, or that is in fact Illeagal too. Again something else people do all the time when customizing there little low riders, and most never ever hear two peeps about it.


Someone else already said it, but your trailers boats popups ETC usually always have there own plates on them, Identifing who is towing them, I know its not perfect, but it is something that is approved by DoT.




When it comes down to it, anything that blocks your plate is illeagal plain and simple. There are some exceptions, IE the Canoe with a flag, but even that will fall under the determination of the officer involved. Same with me driving with the tailgate down, if the cop wants to, he can give me a ticket for the obstructed veiw of my license plate.

[jamisjake]

[quote=dstepper;359515]This will make me very popular, but I think they should make it .00. Makes it very easy to figure out, if you drink at all don't drive.
Agreed

Originally Posted by dstepper

This will make me very popular, but I think they should make it .00. Makes it very easy to figure out, if you drink at all don't drive.

I have also noticed following cars with bike in the racks that it is hard to see the brake and turn lights. Poe Poe can get you for that too.

Dean

I absolutely agree.

[bikeadict]

Hmmm this is just disturbing. All of it. Ok I think I need to officially classify this as a rant…

If my rack blocks my license plate but it is legal to sell racks (which block the license plate) then they need to put a place on the rack to mount a license plate and give me an extra license plate. It is as simple as that. Its stupid BS like this that clogs up our justice system which is supposed to be putting away killers and child molesters…
Second concerning driving after having a beer. I agree that everyone has a different limit after which he or she is impaired. I had a friend in college who was visibly drunk before he finished his first pint. However, many of us were fine after 2 or 3.
Unless we revamp our nations public transportation system dropping the legal limit to .05 will just result in more people getting dui’s that aren’t actually “impaired” and this will just clog an already strained justice system further…
Also concerning dropping it to .00, I would still drive after drinking a couple. I consider myself a very safe driver and my rules for driving after drinking are as follows:
1. If I plan on driving home only drink beer, never liquor.
2. Monitor my consumption to 1 or so beers an hour.
3. Do not drive for an hour+ after my last beer.
For instance Saturday I visisted a friend up in Oceanside for a BBQ (that’s about 40 miles from my house).
I got there at 2:00 stayed till 10:00 I had 6 beers none after 7:30. Did I still have something above .00 in my system when I got in my car to drive home?? maybe… but was it more that .08? no way. Was I 100% capable to drive??? I’m sure I was.
And I’m done with my rant…

[freekengo]

Originally Posted by bikeadict

Hmmm this is just disturbing. All of it. Ok I think I need to officially classify this as a rant…

If my rack blocks my license plate but it is legal to sell racks (which block the license plate) then they need to put a place on the rack to mount a license plate and give me an extra license plate. It is as simple as that. Its stupid BS like this that clogs up our justice system which is supposed to be putting away killers and child molesters…
Second concerning driving after having a beer. I agree that everyone has a different limit after which he or she is impaired. I had a friend in college who was visibly drunk before he finished his first pint. However, many of us were fine after 2 or 3.
Unless we revamp our nations public transportation system dropping the legal limit to .05 will just result in more people getting dui’s that aren’t actually “impaired” and this will just clog an already strained justice system further…
Also concerning dropping it to .00, I would still drive after drinking a couple. I consider myself a very safe driver and my rules for driving after drinking are as follows:
1. If I plan on driving home only drink beer, never liquor.
2. Monitor my consumption to 1 or so beers an hour.
3. Do not drive for an hour+ after my last beer.
For instance Saturday I visisted a friend up in Oceanside for a BBQ (that’s about 40 miles from my house).
I got there at 2:00 stayed till 10:00 I had 6 beers none after 7:30. Did I still have something above .00 in my system when I got in my car to drive home?? maybe… but was it more that .08? no way. Was I 100% capable to drive??? I’m sure I was.
And I’m done with my rant…

Just wait till you have one of your loved ones killed by an intoxicated driver. I think that you'd be singing a different tune.


Yes, I have been pulled over for having my hitch rack still on my truck when I didn't have any bike on there also. Sucks, but it's the rules.