Towing and Permits

[L02314564]

I decided that I should go ahead and make myself legal to tow my 1976 Catalina 27 in my home state of Texas. I contacted the Texas State D.O.T. for the requirements and they told me that to tow my boat with my personal trailer and my personal truck that I would have to post a $10,000 bond before I could get a permit . Is this correct or did I get one of the idiots there that doesn't know what she is talking about?

I find it hard to believe that everyone towing their boats in the State of Texas has posted a $10,000 bond before towing. Someone please tell me this is not correct....

What about you guys in the other states? Do you have to post a huge bond to tow your boat?

Thanks for the quick replies..

Ed
S/V Other Woman
1976 Catalina 27 #2684

[sailingdog]

Hmm... that sounds a bit unreasonable to me. I think you need to contact your local department of motor vehicles, since that sounds very wrong. From the BoatUS site:

Texas: Boating Law Administrator: 512-389-4624
Maximum Speed Limit: 55
Maximum Dimensions for trailer:N/A'L x 8'6"W x 13'6"H
Maximum Length with Trailer:65'
Minimum Weight requiring Separate Trailer Brakes:4500
Trailer Equipment Requirements:
Safety Chains:Y
Brakelights:Y
Taillights:Y
Clearance Lights:Y (If over 80" wide.)
License Light:Y
Turn Signals:Y
Reflectors:Y
Flares:Y
Breakaway Brakes: Y (Over 3000 lbs.)
Tiedowns:Y
Two Trailers:N
Insurance:Y
Wide Trailer Permit Phone Number: 800-299-1700

[hellosailor]

Maybe they're referring to the insurance requirement, and you don't have some of the coverage they require, so they're asking for a $10k bond instead? (In some states you are required to EITHER have insurance OR post a bond. I have no idea what the Republic of Tejas requires.)

[Sailormon6]

If the width of the boat and trailer is 8'-6" or less, you don't need a permit in any state. You do, however, need insurance in most states, just as you need insurance for your car, but most auto insurance polices cover liability for accidents while towing trailers. Check with your insurance carrier to be sure you're covered, and carry your insurance card with you when you tow the boat.

By federal law, a permit can only be required by a state when the trailer and cargo are more than 8'-6" wide. Federal law preempts state law to that extent. If the trailer is between 8'-6" and 10' wide in most states, you need a permit, and you have to display "wide load" signs on the front and rear, and you might be limited to driving in daylight hours. If it's wider than 10', you need a chase car with a strobe light.

If you think about it, it would be crazy for the state to require a permit every time someone tows a travel trailer or similarly sized boat on the road.

[sailingdog]

You might also want to check with your boat insurance policy to see if it covers you towing the boat, and if it doesn't add a rider to cover it.

BTW, some states the wide load restriction is 8' not 8' 6".

[hellosailor]

"it would be crazy for the state to require"

And what part of "crazy" or "require" isn't normal in YOUR home state?[vbg]