Well, Peter Pan, I hate to break it to you, but ...This is exactly the trailer I want when I grow up.
Well, Peter Pan, I hate to break it to you, but ...This is exactly the trailer I want when I grow up.
Chuck,
That looks first-rate . . . Very impressive !
Just for laughs, shoot some video while you are rolling through Toll Booths, once the 20 ft "UpChuckR" is strapped horizontally to the cradle . . . !
You are almost guaranteed to meet some Cops along the way, too . . . Catch it all on video !
Actually, it might not be a bad idea to "forewarn" the various authorities, in advance, to keep you safe from a "Barney Fife"-type wannabe !
Dave F.
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Good point about the cops... I've been pulled over a few times when I carried the rockets on the roof of my SUV. They were always professional (a few people call in and rat me out) but all it takes is a Barney Fife to not know the laws and there could be some problems.
If any of you have any further input on this issue I'm listening. Almost guaranteed I'll be pulled over with a rocket the size of a telephone pole in tow lol.
Chuck C.
Chuck,
You aren't doing anything even remotely illegal. There is honestly no reason to call attention to yourself with any local LEOs. You're hauling fiberglass and aluminum that happens to look like a rocket. Info on APCP is fine to bring to share if you do get stopped. One thing you might educate yourself in is trailer weight and license tag requirements. Know those laws.
If you announce you're coming through, they'll be looking for you.
--Lance.
--Lance.
Lance,
It "just happens to look like a rocket", plus a big-azz rocket motor, several hundred pounds of propellant, and a bunch of electronics that are completely unfamiliar to almost all cops. Don't forget that FFFFG Black Powder is being used, other than in a muzzle-loader. I don't think Chuck is a licensed Pyrotechnian, so there could definitely be some "problems" !
If he informs them in advance, they inform their personnel at the beginning of each shift. That way, they will know in advance, avoiding "hassles" along the way.
If he "isn't doing anything remotely illegal", why would they be "looking for him", when he comes through ?
I strongly suspect that most, if not all, Police Chiefs, Sheriffs, and upper Law Enforcement officials would be thankful for being "in the loop", rather than potentially having an "officer-involved incident" out on the highway . . . We do have an awful lot of "trigger happy" Cops out there, nowadays !
Are you willing to cover his bail and attorney fees, if Chuck takes your advice and tries to "sneak through", undetected, and things "go South" ?
Dave F.
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Chuck,
You aren't doing anything even remotely illegal. There is honestly no reason to call attention to yourself with any local LEOs. You're hauling fiberglass and aluminum that happens to look like a rocket. Info on APCP is fine to bring to share if you do get stopped. One thing you might educate yourself in is trailer weight and license tag requirements. Know those laws.
If you announce you're coming through, they'll be looking for you.
--Lance.
--Lance.
Shoot Tim better start calling every police department along his travels . God forbid a cop pulls over his trailer with a 1000 plus pounds of AP in it. Yes I will 100 percent cover Chucks legal cost , since he is 100 percent in the clear . I guess the tripoli lawsuit is new to you Dave ? Relax , seriously . Chuck has gone above and beyond with this project in terms of making sure it is done right . You do not need to be a licensed muzzle loader to have 4f powder . I can walk down to my local sporting goods store and buy as much 4f as I can carry out.
Yes I will 100 percent cover Chucks legal cost , since he is 100 percent in the clear .
Chuck,
If you're not going to inform Law Enforcement, in advance, you may as well just head over to Harbor Freight, buy a couple of large tarps and cover the whole thing, so no one sees what's on the trailer, at all.
Dave F.
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I appreciate the idea there Dave.
Tarps going from Houston to the Black Rock for this kind of load last to about the New Mexico border lol.
Plus they beat the crud out of the rocket.
Chuck C.
Just a word of caution....I did a fincan on a 4in.when painted with auto paint and clear, the aluminum fincan would no longer fit.
Had the tedious job of sand the **** out of it to get can back on.
Don't know if your painting or not and if you are, with what. Thought i would mention.
That can sure is purdy!
The last picture is the fins after I washed and waxed them. Wanted to get a nice coat of wax on them to prevent oxidation.
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Also a copy of the law regarding the carriage of APCP (Ammonium Perchlorate Composite Propellant).
APCP is classified as 1.3 the same as fireworks. Here's a scenario and response that applies to what we do:
DOT classification is a place you don't want to go.
Since no tests were done to assign a class it is not 1.4 or anything else.
If I was moving this rocket the motor/propellant would be in a separate vehicle so if the truck towing the trailer with airframe gets pulled over it's all inert.
M
Just got word from a DOT expert.
Under 1000 lbs non-commercial it's not a problem.
Chuck C.
If I was moving this rocket the motor/propellant would be in a separate vehicle so if the truck towing the trailer with airframe gets pulled over it's all inert.
M
Chuck,
I agree . . .
A second vehicle, that appears to be completely non-associated with you, is an excellent idea.
It would travel a distance, either in front of or behind you, not right with you.
The Propellant, BP, and Igniters should be transported in it.
If you get stopped, they continue on to the next exit and wait for you.
Dave F.
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I may not have been clear lol.
The DOT regulations apply.
Under 1000 lbs and non-commercial it is completely legal to haul the motor even with the rocket.
Already a difficult project logistically-speaking. Not going to complicate it further. Best to know the DOT regulations and proceed.
Thanks!
Chuck C.
Most states follow Federal DOT regs when it comes to HAZMAT, generally they are the most restrictive. I personally am unaware of states that are more restrictive on Hazmat than 49 CFR 100-185. Some states may not allow certain types of waste (radioactive usually) to transit but that is about it.Chuck,
Are there any "State Laws" along the intended Driving Routes that might cause problems ? ("Fireworks", for example ) . . . Also, "County Ordinances", especially in "hole in the wall" places, can often be problematic for "certain activities".
Dave F.
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Most states follow Federal DOT regs when it comes to HAZMAT, generally they are the most restrictive. I personally am unaware of states that are more restrictive on Hazmat than 49 CFR 100-185. Some states may not allow certain types of waste (radioactive usually) to transit but that is about it.
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