But officer....

[Dockem]

Well, the wife and I and two dogs made it back south to Florida on Sat. And we learned something new.

We had made the trip in Oct. , pulling a trailer with furniture for our house in FL, no problems making the trip.

Came home to see kids for Thanksgiving and then headed back to FL with another trailer load.

We were making decent time, just inside Florida, been on the road for about 2 hours after staying overnight in GA. I checked the rear view mirror and there is a police car with lights flashing. Thought to myself, he's after somebody, so I pulled into the right lane - so does he. CRAP! He's pulling ME over!

Pulled onto the shoulder and waited for him. Officer comes up to the wife's window and asks if we knew why he pulled us over. Not having a clue, we said "No".

Well, we had blown by the Agricultural Inspection Station a few miles back (!). We were supposed to get inspected! Whoda thought???

So he asks what we have in the trailer. Ummmm, furniture?, we reply. So he asks for my license and goes back to the car to run my info - desparado that I am. Yeah, wife and two dogs in the car, obviously touristy types.

He comes back and asks if we want the good news or bad news first. Wife says bad news. He says, there is none (nyuk, nyuk) and procedes to tell us that we are sposed to get inspected when pulling a trailer into FL (!). Okay, I'll buy that, tho I'd never suspected such a thing (ignorance of the law excuse).

He gave us a warning and said that we should remember to stop when pulling a trailer into the state. Next time it could cost us a $140 ticket! Whew! And, now I'm "in the system". so I better toe the line.

What was funny, he never asked to see what was in the trailer at all. We could have had it filled to the brim with pot plants, etc or 20 illegal aliens!

Ah well, I can sleep better knowing that "I'm in the System" for smuggling furniture into FL. Another interesting chapter in the book of life!

 

[1dn5up]

N/S ! So does that only pertain to fla law ? Or just to commercial trailering ?

Or to ck inclosed trailers? What if it was a open trailer? Or overall trailer check, breaks, etc.

 

[FRR]

I've towed an enclosed trailer into Florida 2 or 3 times a year for 3 yrs. Never heard of anything like this. Thousands of trailers get towed into that state, especially at high season and I've never seen a trailer pulled over by the police. Usually those of us pulling trailers stay in the right hand lanes and keep the speed to the legal limit since the gas mileage is bad enough. Sounds like this officer had way too much time of his hands.

Florida does survive off the money from tourists. They tax us like crazy and let their residents off the hook in many cases. I'm sure most folks pulling trailers into the state are tourists. It would just make sense. I owned down there for 3 yrs and recently sold. Plan to visit and pull my trailer down in late Winter. Hope that same officer isn't on duty that day.

 

[retread83]

Was it the agricultural check point on 19?

 

[1dn5up]

Sounds like it was for inclosed trailers , commercial and non commercial, checking for out of state produce and stuff . Normally the DOT doesn’t bother with non commercial folks.

 

[Lee H. Mann]

Sounds like it was for inclosed trailers , commercial and non commercial, checking for out of state produce and stuff . Normally the DOT doesn’t bother with non commercial folks.

They used to require RV's to pull into Agri Check Points. The whole purpose 'was' to ensure a safe food supply. There’s a station on every paved highway going into and out of the state Florida. The stations are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and they are staffed by law enforcement officers whose main duty is to prevent plant and animal pests and diseases and unsafe food from entering Florida.:clapping:

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

Glad that it all went well for ya.But just think how interesting it would have been if when he walked up to the window you would have asked,what the F%^*# do you want.Just to check his sense of humor.

Please do not try this at home.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Florida isa funny state

We are ALL suppose to know the law

Seems they dont want foreign plants in the state

Look what happened with the cudzu taking over

When we moved here in 97 we pulled in at the check point on I75, it took about 10 minutes

 

[Dockem]

Was it the agricultural check point on 19?

We were on I-75, about the 440 mile marker. We were pulling a 5x8 Uhaul. Irritating to see all kinds of other trailers on the road. Uhaul orange must be like a red flag.

A buddy of mine said if it's pulling a M/C or a golf cart - no problem!

 

[vwbug72501]

Just came back from FL. Noticed the wording on the Ag Inspection / Weigh Station sign. It specified commercial and rental trailers must stop. The U-Haul got you most likely. I was pulling my open trailer with big patio doors on it. Nobody paid any attention.

 

[FRR]

That would explain it.

 

[Dockem]

That would explain it.

I must have been lucky and there were no patrol cars when I went thru in Oct., because we didn't get to become friends with the Ag Inspection officer that time. :Shrug:

 

[hogcowboy]

So we are death on trailers going from one state to another but let illegals in all the time. Great country we have turned into.

 

[PosseRider]

Has been posted for years in Fl. NO prob, with an open trailer. Calliforny has most of road covered at State entrances on Interstates making everyone stop to say HI

 

[MikeyTX]

So we are death on trailers going from one state to another but let illegals in all the time. Great country we have turned into.

hey, it could have been illegals using the trailer to smuggle illegals ...........