OAR 734-075-0025: Hauling Vehicles for Modular Building Units

The following requirements apply to vehicles hauling modular building units: (1) Modular Building Units must be hauled with a truck-tractor or toter and semitrailer or trailer combination. (2) Equipment weights of the combination and the sizes and ratings of all its components must be comparable to those commonly used by the motor carrier industry in general over-the-road trucking operations. (3) When operating unladen, the overall length of the combination must not exceed the length authorized by statute or rule, except as authorized in the permit. (4) Modifications are permitted to the conventional equipment necessary for hauling modular building units. This may include “stretch-trailer” features, adjustable trailer heights from inflatable air bags, steering capabilities for the semitrailer axles or other modifications. These features must be stipulated in the permit. (5) Requests for moves using trailers more than 53 feet in length will be on an individual basis, and permits will be issued for a single trip only. The authorized trailer length must be stipulated in the permit and must not exceed 75 feet in length, except when using a stretch trailer. When not operating under the terms of a permit issued under this rule a stretch trailer must be reduced to dimensions authorized by statute or rule. (6) The modular building unit must be securely fastened to the semitrailer or trailer. It may be secured by steel cables and winch tighteners, steel cables or chains and chain binders, or by adequate bolting directly to the semitrailer or trailer frame. Alternate securing methods approved by the United States Department of Transportation regulations may be used. (7) A single trip permit may be issued for a combination of vehicles that exceeds the maximum allowable weight described in ORS 818.010 for a single non-divisible unit when the requirements described in OAR 734-082-0015 (1) and (2) are met and under the following conditions: (a) Operations are subject to any posted weight limitation in effect on any highway, highway section, bridge or structure; (b) The vehicle combination must not exceed the manufacturer's GVWR for the vehicle or the vehicle combination; and (c) The exception to maximum weight limitations for an idle reduction system described in ORS 818.030(10) and 818.340(4) is limited to the actual weight of the idle reduction system, not to exceed 550 pounds. In order to qualify for the exception, the operator of the vehicle may be required to provide: (A) Written certification of the weight of the auxiliary power unit; and (B) A demonstration or certification that the idle reduction technology is fully functional. (d) A vehicle that uses natural gas as its fuel source , or is powered primarily by means of an electric battery , may exceed the weight limitations established under ORS 818.010 by not more than 2,000 pounds.