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Question on Hitch Racks
#7305208
10/04/18 07:55 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,750
texfork
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OP
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I am leaving Sunday on an Elk hunt and am needing to use a hitch receiver rack to carry an extra ice chest. Should I remount my licence plate to the rack or let it ride ? Thank you for any in site you my have .
Prayer is the "ultimate" wireless connection .
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: texfork]
#7305241
10/04/18 08:42 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,465
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,465 |
Photo copy it and tape it to cooler
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: texfork]
#7305246
10/04/18 08:44 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 595
crapicat
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Tracker
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: texfork]
#7305454
10/05/18 01:14 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,178
txbigly
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It could be if a LEO wanted to stop you. Especially if your coming back into Texas from Colorado.
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: texfork]
#7305467
10/05/18 01:23 AM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 12,345
Duck_Hunter
THF Celebrity
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Friend got pulled over for it on a road trip from Tulsa down to Bolivar. He had to stop at a tire place and have them screw the plate onto the hitch rack after getting pulled over and getting a ticket.
I just turned it on . I was looking bird dogs in the butt this morning.
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: texfork]
#7305530
10/05/18 02:54 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,773
Big_Ag
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Got pulled over years ago on the way home from hunting by Grapevine police. The officer ran me and didn’t even give a me warning. I guess he could have. Probably just avoid the ptential hassle and put the plate on your hitch haul.
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: texfork]
#7305534
10/05/18 02:58 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,124
Brother in-law
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Pretty weak ticket if you stop somebody for that and cite them.
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: Brother in-law]
#7305663
10/05/18 12:50 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 595
crapicat
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Pretty weak ticket if you stop somebody for that and cite them. I agree, wonder if anybody can cite the relevant law...sounds like an out of control LEO (or town) to me, and that sort of this does happen occasionally.
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: texfork]
#7305848
10/05/18 04:50 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,675
bp3
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About Oklahoma LEO give ticket and further review OU still sucks
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: texfork]
#7305875
10/05/18 05:21 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,601
sig226fan (Rguns.com)
duck & cover
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duck & cover
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,601 |
Zip ties are your friend, or even better, bailing wire...
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: texfork]
#7305905
10/05/18 05:51 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,800
TexasKC
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Years ago my nephew got a ticket for that in some small town in Colorado. His friend who was pulling a trailer got a ticket for not having his safety chains crossed under the hitch.
In the end, it's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years.
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: texfork]
#7305922
10/05/18 06:04 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,578
Son of a Blitch
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photocopy and tape inside back window
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: texfork]
#7305956
10/05/18 06:46 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,330
Blank
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,330 |
Couple things to address and think about here. Most all license plate display laws are written to cover display of the plate for LEO. Typically they have to be permanently mounted, a certain distance up from the road, freely visible and not covered, and lighted after dark. Any of those would give probable cause for a stop and chat.
If you're worried about it, or don't want to risk a vehicle check, move it to the back of the rack. It still won't be lighted but they would let that slide.
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: texfork]
#7306036
10/05/18 08:15 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,750
texfork
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Thanks to all for the info . I will mount licence plate to the rack with bailing wire . Look out elk here I come .
Prayer is the "ultimate" wireless connection .
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: texfork]
#7306050
10/05/18 08:28 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,577
Gumbeaux
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Can't give you a ticket if they can't catch you.
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: texfork]
#7306052
10/05/18 08:29 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,795
dogcatcher
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I had mine set up with trailer light wiring with license plate light and additional stop and turn lights. It only took a couple of minutes to hook up to the hitch, plug in the light and switch the plate. Then the state made get new plate with the same number, so I just left the old plate in place on the hitch rack.
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: dogcatcher]
#7306215
10/05/18 11:52 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 595
crapicat
Tracker
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Tracker
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Now I got another reason why I like my truck!
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: dogcatcher]
#7306253
10/06/18 12:40 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,904
Simple Searcher
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I had mine set up with trailer light wiring with license plate light and additional stop and turn lights. It only took a couple of minutes to hook up to the hitch, plug in the light and switch the plate. Then the state made get new plate with the same number, so I just left the old plate in place on the hitch rack. A second plate would be a good idea.
"Man is still a hunter, still a simple searcher after meat..." Robert C. Ruark
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: crapicat]
#7306450
10/06/18 12:02 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,034
Western
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Pretty weak ticket if you stop somebody for that and cite them. I agree, wonder if anybody can cite the relevant law...sounds like an out of control LEO (or town) to me, and that sort of this does happen occasionally. Texas Transportation code RULE §217.27 b,1 "(1) must display two license plates, one at the exterior front and one at the exterior rear of the vehicle that are securely fastened at the exterior front and rear of the vehicle in a horizontal position of not less than 12 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom, except that a vehicle described by Transportation Code, §621.2061 may place the rear plate so that it is clearly visible; or 2) must display one plate that is securely fastened at or as close as practical to the exterior rear of the vehicle in a position not less than 12 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom if the vehicle is a road tractor, motorcycle, trailer or semitrailer." https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=43&pt=10&ch=217&rl=27 Also Must be visible from 50' There is a possible "out" if issued a citation dependent on hardware and the judge, this will be a long quote to give relevant info.TRANSPORTATION CODE CHAPTER 504 Sec. 504.945 " WRONG, FICTITIOUS, ALTERED, OR OBSCURED LICENSE PLATE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person attaches to or displays on a motor vehicle a license plate that: (1) is issued for a different motor vehicle; (2) is issued for the vehicle under any other motor vehicle law other than by the department; (3) is assigned for a registration period other than the registration period in effect; (4) is fictitious; (5) has blurring or reflective matter that significantly impairs the readability of the name of the state in which the vehicle is registered or the letters or numbers of the license plate number at any time; (6) has an attached illuminated device or sticker, decal, emblem, or other insignia that is not authorized by law and that interferes with the readability of the letters or numbers of the license plate number or the name of the state in which the vehicle is registered; or (7) has a coating, covering, protective substance, or other material that: (A) distorts angular visibility or detectability; (B) alters or obscures one-half or more of the name of the state in which the vehicle is registered; or (C) alters or obscures the letters or numbers of the license plate number or the color of the plate. (b) Except as provided by Subsection (e), an offense under Subsection (a) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $200, unless it is shown at the trial of the offense that the owner knowingly altered or made illegible the letters, numbers, and other identification marks, in which case the offense is a Class B misdemeanor. (c) Subsection (a)(7) may not be construed to apply to:(1) a trailer hitch installed on a vehicle in a normal or customary manner; (2) a transponder, as defined by Section 228.057, that is attached to a vehicle in the manner required by the issuing authority; (3) a wheelchair lift or wheelchair carrier that is attached to a vehicle in a normal or customary manner; (4) a trailer being towed by a vehicle; or (5) a bicycle or motorcycle rack that is attached to a vehicle in a normal or customary manner. (d) A court may dismiss a charge brought under Subsection (a)(3), (5), (6), or (7) if the defendant: (1) remedies the defect before the defendant's first court appearance; (2) pays an administrative fee not to exceed $10; and (3) shows that the vehicle was issued a plate by the department that was attached to the vehicle, establishing that the vehicle was registered for the period during which the offense was committed. (e) An offense under Subsection (a)(4) is a Class B misdemeanor."
If at first you dont succeed, then skydiving is not for you..
"Don't trust everything you read on the Internet"- Abraham Lincoln Dennis
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: Western]
#7306454
10/06/18 12:20 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 595
crapicat
Tracker
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Tracker
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Thanks western! Based on the exceptions, it would appear, that If you bought a wheelchair carrier, you would be in the clear, even if it was carrying coolers instead of a wheel chair...personally the only difference between the two is that one has a drop down rack and the other doesn’t.
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: crapicat]
#7306485
10/06/18 01:22 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,034
Western
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Thanks western! Based on the exceptions, it would appear, that If you bought a wheelchair carrier, you would be in the clear, even if it was carrying coolers instead of a wheel chair...personally the only difference between the two is that one has a drop down rack and the other doesn’t. Yes sir, it is Probable Cause, but then the judge will consider how the equipment factors with the law and its possible exemptions. One point to think about, bike/scooter/ wheel chair racks, usually don't have 100% rear coverage/ obscurity, also, most wheel chair lifts are partially, if not all, in the bed of the vehicle most of the time. So even if dismissed, you have the $10 ad fee and the pita of dealing with court time. I have seen some tape a copy of the LP in the back window of the vehicle, works ok for an SUV, not quite as well on a PU as it isn't mounted to the "furthest" rear of the vehicle, but I have let those go in the past as "officer discretion", as they made the effort. The problem is the visibility of the LP, requirement is visible from 50' from the rear of the vehicle, so if the plate is mounted correctly, that part meets code. "Obscuring" it is where you get in trouble..
If at first you dont succeed, then skydiving is not for you..
"Don't trust everything you read on the Internet"- Abraham Lincoln Dennis
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: texfork]
#7307679
10/07/18 10:42 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,615
MELackey
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I go hunting in Rocksprings with my dad every other year. Over the years I've been stopped twice just as I entered town for the cooler on the hitch carrier blocking the license plate. Each time I was given a warning and allowed to carry on with the promise that I would move the plate once I got to the ranch. Honestly, I suspect it's just one of those things that they use to stop people just to make sure everyone knows who is in charge and to check for drunks, warrants, etc. The officer was very polite each time and there were no issues, just another reason for them to introduce themselves to you.
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: texfork]
#7307790
10/08/18 12:16 AM
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 113
Colorado1
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 113 |
Want to save yourself any trouble at all? Take the LP off and put it on the rack using tie-wraps (wire ties). Its gotta be like a 15 minute job tops. No silly stops for that one.
We went to Colorado for a dozen years without issue doing that exact thing. Never had an issue for that. Speeding on the other hand...
Last edited by Colorado1; 10/08/18 12:22 AM.
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Re: Question on Hitch Racks
[Re: Colorado1]
#7308100
10/08/18 11:32 AM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 595
crapicat
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2013
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I have used a hitch rack occasionally, never been stopped due to the plate being not visible, but this information is helpful to know, for future use.
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