Who can explain Dump Truck regulations?

[Hogmaster]

I am constantly amazed about this:

Why is it if Joe Schmoe drives his pickup to the dump, he can be cited for not having a covered load even if it consists of broken cement blocks, televisions and an old barkolounger.

A tandem 12 ton truck with landscpe debris, or bark dust must be covered, subject to citation as well.

Covering loads makes sense from a litter and potential damage standpoint. That much I get.

Yet a dump truck full of gravel has no regulation stating the load must be covered?

Most all of us have been spewed upon by such rigs, sometimes resulting in windshield or body-paint chips, starbreaks, shatterings and whatnot after a truck with an open load bounces a little leave-behind while on the highways and byways.

Shortly after graduating from college I worked a short stint as a truck driver, delivering loads of lumber around Oregon. While there was no law about covering the loads, when inclement weather occurred I always had to do so to protect the wood. The point being it took but a few minutes, and that was with a lot more strapping and tightening than it would take for simply covering a dump load.

So who can 'splain why it isn't required?

Is there some sort of immense and powerful Dump Truck lobby that prevents such legislation for the convenience of labor and saving of a few bucks on tarps?

Or am I the only one who has ever noticed it might be a problem?

[roadsend]

Have you ever seen a covered log truck load?

[lentz]

Never really thought of it but it is a interesting point that you make.

[Hogmaster]

"Have you ever seen a covered log truck load?"



No. And while I'm sure log trucks kick rocks as all trucks do, and I have even been showered by log truck debris, it was not as damaging as one can get from a load of rock flying through the air at 65 MPH.

But even beyond that, it is a matter of practicality. It is not very practical to consider covering log truck loads.

But what is impractical about covering dump truck loads????

[Lou]

Originally Posted by Hogmaster

"Have you ever seen a covered log truck load?"



No. And while I'm sure log trucks kick rocks as all trucks do, and I have even been showered by log truck debris, it was not as damaging as one can get from a load of rock flying through the air at 65 MPH.

But even beyond that, it is a matter of practicality. It is not very practical to consider covering log truck loads.

But what is impractical about covering dump truck loads????

Should be covered. I have a 'repair' from a dump truck and
pics of him wiping the rock from the back of his truck, when I
confronted him. Just an act of God.

[quit wishing]

The idea is rock shouldnt be blown out the truck, therefore they are not required to tarp. However problems arise when they overfill not allowing for the inevitable shifting rock on corners and faulty gates on the back. If the rock with your name on it comes from the load it is the responsibility of that company to repair damages, if the rock gets kicked up from the roadway they are not at fault. Good luck proving it tho. By the way on smaller rock if they were to tarp the load with the auto rollbacks it actually becomes more of an air dam making a 65 mph sandblaster.

[afrank250]

don' t forget about the hay trucks they are my favorite

[Fshklr]

I have seen several rock trucks equipped with the premade tarp and roller system. why is it that they only use em on Hot Asphalt loads, is a mystery.


I have NEVER seen one with it in use on their load of rock....I have 6 rock chips currently......Most are from logging trucks.

[MattPark]

Originally Posted by afrank250

don' t forget about the hay trucks they are my favorite

You would have to be driving awfully fast in order for some straw or hay damage your vehicle.

[Jaws]

[quote=Hogmaster;1861962]




Is there some sort of immense and powerful Dump Truck lobby that prevents such legislation for the convenience of labor and saving of a few bucks on tarps?
http://www.ocapa.net/ And yes, very powerful!

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by Fshklr

I have seen several rock trucks equipped with the premade tarp and roller system. why is it that they only use em on Hot Asphalt loads, is a mystery.


.

Simple answer. To retain the heat on long distant runs. The top of the load will harden into a crust if allowed to cool and that ain't good.

[Bobberman]

Originally Posted by afrank250

don' t forget about the hay trucks they are my favorite

When I use to ride a two wheeler for transportation those were the worts thing I would have to deal with

[Hunter56787]

I can't spell guys, but here goes: Hay loads are not covered do to the potental of fire, hay has a bad habbit of internal combustion. Log truck pay a nucense fee with there license to cover debri falling from thier loads. All other loads must be contained (tarped), I don't know about OSP, but the WSP will cite you for an unsicurred load if you don't tarp chips, rock, sawdust, etc. I do know that Oregon requires crushed cars to be netted and chained down or the driver will get a very light wallet (big fine), not sure about the out of state loads coming into Oregon.

[Jeremy]

Didnt you start off by asking why loads going to the dump have to be covered? Im pretty sure its just an easy way to enforce the covered load rule since you have to pull up to the window and check in at the dump, easier for them to tack on a fee there than to try to chase you down on the road?

[Hogmaster]

Not exactly. I recognized that some dump loads can be secured with ropes or straps, but to your point if they are not covered they are subject to additional charges and/or even citations.

It is an interesting point if covered loads would cause gravel to float up and out of the bed to create even more havock.

One thing I wonder is if the law applies to requirements covering refuse as opposed to deliveries. Dump trucks taken to the dump are subject to the non-covered load surcharge. I know because my contractor covers his loads when taking remodel demo stuff to the dump. So maybe if a load is being "delivered" it doesn't have to be covered???

[OldTrout]

How ironic it would be to cover logs on a log truck, take them to the mill, dump them in the log pond.

[Hogmaster]

I finally got it explained to me.

It is a massive conspiracy by the auto glass and repair shops in cahoots with the gravel truck operators.

The ringleader is here:

http://www.buckles1.com/acrobat/coupon_sheet.pdf

[CATCH AND EAT]

Originally Posted by Hogmaster

I finally got it explained to me.

It is a massive conspiracy by the auto glass and repair shops in cahoots with the gravel truck operators.

The ringleader is here:

http://www.buckles1.com/acrobat/coupon_sheet.pdf

Hey, that guy is good looking, handsome, honest and I could go on with more of the wonderful details.

Far as conspiracy I don't think so but if you find a deisel spill on a rainy day......who knows....

[Ildor]

9 times out of 10 what your vehicle is being peppered with is road debris. The rest of the time is due to a lazy operator that didn't wipe the sideboards and tailgate clean of the rock that the cull loader operator couldn't seem to get it all in the box. A tarp won't help that.

[Hogmaster]

Originally Posted by CATCH AND EAT

Hey, that guy is good looking, handsome, honest and I could go on with more of the wonderful details.

Sort of reminds me of a much younger, handsomer, svelter and probably less-grouchy version of a guy I know.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Originally Posted by Hogmaster

Sort of reminds me of a much younger, handsomer, svelter and probably less-grouchy version of a guy I know.

Ain't that the truth. I look in the mirror now and start to take a swing at the guy I don't recognize any longer. Brutal getting older.

[Lou]

Originally Posted by Ildor

9 times out of 10 what your vehicle is being peppered with is road debris. The rest of the time is due to a lazy operator that didn't wipe the sideboards and tailgate clean of the rock that the cull loader operator couldn't seem to get it all in the box. A tarp won't help that.

Lazy operator! Those rocks are over 1 1/2" in dia.
Down right criminal, but an act of god.
If you are an operator, let me drive and you follow me, when
hauling pea gravel or less!

[Ray]

Originally Posted by afrank250

don' t forget about the hay trucks they are my favorite

I was in Woodland last year going to Lyons park to eat my lunch and watch the guys out fishing. I got behind a dump truck hauling liqufied cattle waste, he went over the rail road tracks and sloshed out about 55 gallons, he'd hit a bump and another 10 gallons would splash out, but when he went around a corner, the whole load would swish over to one side and leave a trial about 60' long. It smelled so bad, I was afraid to pass him thinking I might get a load on my truck. Gross.

Ray

[fish_on]

Originally Posted by Hunter56787

I can't spell guys, but here goes: Hay loads are not covered do to the potental of fire, hay has a bad habbit of internal combustion. Log truck pay a nucense fee with there license to cover debri falling from thier loads. All other loads must be contained (tarped), I don't know about OSP, but the WSP will cite you for an unsicurred load if you don't tarp chips, rock, sawdust, etc. I do know that Oregon requires crushed cars to be netted and chained down or the driver will get a very light wallet (big fine), not sure about the out of state loads coming into Oregon.

WHAT? I have tarped hundreds of hay trucks, you only have to worry about combustion if you bale too wet. I have never seen "properly" put-up hay burn. If it were a real risk we wouldn't have loaded 3 train cars and 15 vans/week.

[Lead Bouncer]

Dump trucks have always had a six inch border zone above the rock. Ive lost track whether current law requires a tarp. In years past, its been done and repealed, since most dump trucks dont have a tarp system. They can still get hassled for too much dust. The tires are the rock holders. Think thats bad? They run over concrete rubble and and river rock, which can get stuck between the duals. If not removed, it destroys the side wall. If it pops out, they put dents in the cab or rocket backwards like a three pound baseball. Some come off the rail but most is stuck in the tread. Some companies always tarp.

Dont put off windshield repair. Dirt soap will enter many breaks and the resin wont bond as well to the glass.

[Lead Bouncer]

Originally Posted by Ray

I was in Woodland last year going to Lyons park to eat my lunch and watch the guys out fishing. I got behind a dump truck hauling liqufied cattle waste, he went over the rail road tracks and sloshed out about 55 gallons, he'd hit a bump and another 10 gallons would splash out, but when he went around a corner, the whole load would swish over to one side and leave a trial about 60' long. It smelled so bad, I was afraid to pass him thinking I might get a load on my truck. Gross.

Ray

You should call state patrol when thats happening. Thats a bio hazard not only for the rivers, but traffic as well.

[yankemnbankem]

Lets not forget the "Onion Truck". Trust me, you don't want to get stuck behind one of those. I think I would rather take a chip in the Shield before I have to go behind another onion truck. ( I was in a convertible at the time).
Also, the DOT laws are a little askew especially when marking your vehicle. Seems most enforcers of DOT laws have their own opinions on how the law reads.

[xdynamite]

Originally Posted by MattPark

You would have to be driving awfully fast in order for some straw or hay damage your vehicle.

What do you mean ?....I just got a hay chip in my windshield last week