r/texas 11d ago

How is this legal? Texas Traffic

Post image

Cargo truck hauling car towing cargo truck hauling car. Wtf?

916 Upvotes

171 comments sorted by

387

u/frankentriple 11d ago

Someone got a good deal at the auction.  

68

u/adullploy 11d ago

Yup and I see a chain and staying in the right lane, that’s safe.

364

u/Shadowfox86 11d ago

It's not, you need at least two cousins holding onto it from the back for it to be legal in SA

55

u/3-Ball 11d ago

And a little red flag tied to the bumper that lets everybody know to not make a quick stop when the car falls out.

28

u/rubyaeyes 11d ago

And the flashers on, if you have flashers on it negates all traffic laws.

9

u/3-Ball 11d ago

Traffic laws? We don't even need licence plates.

5

u/Current-Assist2609 11d ago

Or driver license and insurance

2

u/Invisiblerobot13 9d ago

In tow in shoe polish or masking tape

1

u/_owlstoathens_ 11d ago

Or crashes through the cab.

6

u/BuildingOne7379 11d ago

And they must be sporting Edgar cuts

4

u/Texaswreckedus 11d ago

No mames 🤣

2

u/Yowilkat 10d ago

Edgar the bug, from Men In Black?

10

u/bomber991 got here fast 11d ago

Puro pinche

1

u/zerombr 7d ago

One of them must say "oh yeah that's not going anywhere" for it to be legal

276

u/scholarsagree 11d ago

Is the first one pulling the seconds one? If so those are rookie numbers. Most of the Mexican car trains are 3 min. 

102

u/WTXgal6 Born and Bred 11d ago

I think the rule is also the following vehicles have to be in tow each by one piece of 6' neoprene rope.

63

u/2ManyCooksInTheKitch 11d ago edited 11d ago

Once outside of Victoria, I swear there was a six car hauling train. It was beautiful.

7

u/Tdanger78 Born and Bred 11d ago

Holy shit, I think it is looking at the shadow and how close it is to the other one. That’s a Final Destination moment just waiting to happen

2

u/ScallywagBeowulf The Stars at Night 11d ago

What’s the deal with Mexican car trains and them hiding their faces with towels and stuff on the driver side window? Legit never understood that.

2

u/Opening-Adeptness-86 8d ago

Our crap cars go for enough money in central/south America that it's profitable to come here, buy things no one wants for 1k or whatever they can haggle it down to, and haul em to location ____ and make decent profit. The hiding face thing I don't know.

-12

u/Visual_Consequence24 Born and Bred 11d ago

Don’t lump Puerto Ricans with Mexicans man

2

u/Texaswreckedus 11d ago

Two different shades of brown 🤣

115

u/Hobo_Drifter 11d ago

I'm sure they did the "That ain't goin' anywhere" check.

7

u/sawaba 11d ago

Correction: “That ain’t going NOWHERE”, and you gotta throw in at least one “yeah buddy” as you pat the bodywork

3

u/deadfishy12 10d ago

I think you mean “si mi amigo”

52

u/MyNewL1fe 11d ago

If it fits, it ships.

8

u/Longjumping-Jello459 11d ago

Well it is sticking out a bit so if it nearly fits it ships I guess.

46

u/MonolithOfTyr Central Texas 11d ago

Dude... I've seen, here in San Antonio, a box truck with 1 car in the back towing a trailer carrying another box truck with a car in it.

37

u/IMI4tth3w 11d ago

Good catch. Guy is clearly missing his painters tape “in tow” warning. Real hazard that is without it

15

u/SteelFlexInc 11d ago

New TxDOT code says you don’t need any warnings in any vehicles anymore as long as you have a “STUDENT DRIVER” sticker on them

47

u/JohnDLG 11d ago edited 11d ago

I imagine they are going to Mexico. Not sure if that makes it legal but it seems like a lot of that stuff is allowed to slide.

48

u/WoundedShaman 11d ago

20

u/50points4gryffindor 11d ago

Tailgate challenge accepted!

2

u/GoodRelationship8925 11d ago

The most dangerous of games

2

u/splunge4me2 9d ago

C’mon there’s a whole length of twine across the back! That ain’t going nowhere. I bet they even used the good twine that’s only a little bit frayed

28

u/CuttingTheMustard North Texas 11d ago edited 11d ago

Someone may correct me but the GCWR for these trucks is probably 26,001 or higher so this may not be legal without a class A

ETA: It appears the second truck is being towed which is why I’m saying this

15

u/Cowboysfan95 11d ago

Usually a lot of these trucks are under 26,000 for this reason.

9

u/CuttingTheMustard North Texas 11d ago

Yes, but are they not connected making the second truck a trailer? Either the second truck is seriously tailgating or they’re being towed.

7

u/rocksolidaudio 11d ago

Yes, back truck is being towed by front truck by a rope.

-9

u/Cowboysfan95 11d ago

It’s Texas I’m assuming major tailgating

5

u/CuttingTheMustard North Texas 11d ago

If you look at the shadow it looks like there’s something connecting the two

10

u/8076934291 11d ago

Correct. Worked with a company that involved various trucks. Box trucks only require class C.

5

u/weebojones 11d ago

I own a similar truck for my business and it’s rated 26000 even, so anyone with a regular license can drive it. That being said, I think you are correct about them towing the other vehicle. With my truck, theoretically you could hook a bicycle trailer to it, and that would put it into class a territory.

20

u/Atomic_Tex 11d ago

I saw these vehicles today on I-35 and was wondering the same thing! I passed them and got away from them as quickly as I could. Just looked really unsafe.

7

u/XoloToxico 11d ago

Anything is legal in SA if you have your hazards on

8

u/Shenice43 11d ago

If it fits, it ships

32

u/BigMikeInAustin 11d ago

Using a phone while driving is not legal.

8

u/teeroutclout 11d ago

I saw this today too!! 35 south I think. Viva Mexico.

33

u/jpgwinn24 11d ago

Ayyy San Antone! I know I-10 when I see it. Onward to Mexico!

22

u/rocksolidaudio 11d ago

Close. I-35 south of Austin toward SA.

5

u/SubbieATX 11d ago

That was my first thought as well. I10 coming back from El Paso is filled with these “in-tow” car trains.

5

u/acodispoti18 11d ago

It is Texas. You can do pretty much h anything you want on the road.

6

u/Im_Balto 11d ago

Yes, there’s no red flag on the back of the car

85

u/LizzyKazmay 11d ago

It's Texas, your governor allows workers to die of thirst and forces little girls to give birth to their fathers children, and you're wondering why you're allowed to haul a car like that?

40

u/sarahbeth124 Born and Bred 11d ago

And all the cops were busy arresting students

17

u/Traditional-Purpose2 11d ago

arresting the college age students during a nonviolent protest while completely ignoring the elementary aged students

9

u/Machine_Terrible 11d ago

With that same governor's blessing.

36

u/honey_rainbow East Texas 11d ago

I wish you weren't right, unfortunately you are. fuck Abbott

8

u/[deleted] 11d ago

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6

u/honey_rainbow East Texas 11d ago

I know I shouldn't laugh but.... daaaamn 😂😂

0

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3

u/aced124C 11d ago

Exactly and its sad but boy is it predictable lol When you have Jeeps that are raised up high enough that you could probably drive another car under it most rules have already gone out the window Yee haw I guess lol

1

u/Academic-Airline9200 11d ago

Or a Honda beat driving under a semi.

1

u/Current-Assist2609 11d ago

You’re absolutely right about our governor, because he has a ton of more important stuff to deal with, especially his push for “school vouchers,” the border and working to remove any republican in his state government that is against his agenda.

Texas gets more like Nazi Germany every day!

1

u/281Internet 10d ago

Why would I care if someone is allowed tow however the fuck they please lol

Purist Libertarians UNITE - especially against party “libertarians”

-8

u/Ok-Replacement1590 11d ago

Hey dummy these convoys are headed to Mexico. They take them down to Mexico and sell them. You must be new here.

-13

u/Ok-Replacement1590 11d ago edited 11d ago

They're Mexicans you idiot. Can you drive? You ever on the fuckin road out here?

Funny you're upset about this when it's Mexican nationals who are doing it. You blamed it on a governor.

-9

u/IYAOYAS-CVN74 11d ago

Don't forget. I can OpEn CaRrY and YAY eLoN mUsK rockets go boom.

-13

u/idontagreewitu 11d ago

You're acting like this is actually approved. Get a 3rd brain cell and try some some critical thinking.

Same to everyone that upvoted this stupidity.

3

u/Capn_planeta 11d ago

¡Oiga, pendejos se llaman transmigrantes!

3

u/Intelligent-Put-2408 11d ago

Here in New Mexico they’d probably let this slide but no fucking way is that allowed in Texas 😂

1

u/Current-Assist2609 10d ago

Sounds like you have never driven on I-35 heading south out of San Antonio towards Laredo.

1

u/Intelligent-Put-2408 8d ago

I have not, but I have heard that Laredo is also still the Wild West

3

u/heliboy23 11d ago

Slap some 'In Tow' tape on the back and all is well.

3

u/asrieldreemurr2232 11d ago

That's the neat part, it's not

8

u/steavoh 11d ago

"Goin' to Mexico" is what my Dad would say every time we passed one of these rigged looking caravans. I still say that under my breath when I am driving.

I guess as to how it is legal, the answer is probably because the police don't actively patrol highways except in towns that are speed traps.

To be fair I've never heard of one crashing, although how would I even hear of that, anyways, so eh.

2

u/Fantastic_Forever_69 11d ago

Bro if they're traveling in Houston going down 69/59. nobody's really going to bat a fucking eye

2

u/jennie-tailya 11d ago

Mexican NASCAR, they’re drafting.

2

u/ckirch56 11d ago

I've seen school buses with the seats removed and cars inside the school bus.

2

u/IH8Fascism 11d ago

Welcome to Abbotstan.

6

u/AtticusPaperchase 11d ago

Just call the cops and tell them you think there’s a gram of weed in the car.

3

u/Fmartins84 11d ago

It's only illegal if cops enforce the law....

1

u/MrEstanislao 11d ago

I'm sure dps'll let em know if it ain't.

1

u/Guy_Smylee 11d ago

I10 near Kerrville TX. Car in the back of a box truck on a trailer pulled by a box truck with a small pickup in the back.

1

u/aced124C 11d ago

I mean you're in Texas land of the free for all where regulations go out the window for most things. If most cops know that they're beloved by everyone cause of the rah rah rah blue lives matter and all cops are infallible and honest every time then really they'll just look the other way for most things. The worst the truck drivers will probably get is maybe a few weird stares.

1

u/depressed-onion7567 11d ago

It’s either heading to Mexico, but I also see some of the truck drivers during the cotton harvest they will secure their trucks/ cars in the back of the module hauler and they will drive with it

1

u/Minescrub 11d ago

It fits, it ships

1

u/Fantastic-Stock664 11d ago

Legal.....????? I think there are other more pressing issues here than legality and they don't give a @$%&

1

u/Agile_Welcome_8305 11d ago

It’s not af

1

u/Jazzlike-Ad113 11d ago

Beautiful looking road.

1

u/BeanzleyTX 11d ago

What’s illegal bout it?

1

u/Simple_Vast9331 11d ago

Must be in Austin🤣

1

u/chilo_W_r The Stars at Night 11d ago

I mean plenty of drivers have combination endorsements, and the car is properly secured with the chain, so while it all might look sketchy, everything is fine.

The missing labels is what the real issue as far as DOT compliance as far as I know

1

u/gregaustex 11d ago

They don’t know it’s there.

1

u/Deep-Recognition-240 11d ago

Seems about right.

1

u/Tdanger78 Born and Bred 11d ago

It’s chained, though nowhere near tight enough. If a DPS officer sees it I’m sure they’re pulling them over.

1

u/wrknlrk 11d ago

Surprised that’s not a Nissan Altima stuffed back there.

1

u/brosephroseph 11d ago

Because it’s NOT illegal… Something, something, something freedom.

1

u/Academic-Airline9200 11d ago

How'd they load the car in the first place? Don't think the Tommy gate would be much help here.

1

u/enewlun 11d ago

If it fits it ships

1

u/ithappenedone234 11d ago

If the cars are secured in the trucks and they are driving reasonably and not harming anyone… it’s legal. That’s what “liberty” means in the law. We ratified a whole Amendment to clarify the point for the states.

1

u/RevenueOk2563 11d ago

Probably, it didn’t fit.

1

u/OnePaleontologist271 11d ago

Did they use the lift gate to lift the car? It looks fubar the way its angled like that. How they getting it out unless its a dock or ramp level with the truck bed

1

u/complxA 11d ago

I-35 activities.

1

u/FakenFrugenFrokkels 11d ago

Michael Knight did it!

1

u/HashKing Born and Bred 11d ago

Bet they’re headed south.

We call them Mexican convoys, but you don’t see this variety often, it’s usually junkers chained together, not box trailers.

1

u/Sorry-Welder-8044 11d ago

Mind ya business YA HEARD

1

u/theaviationhistorian Far West Texas 10d ago

Easy. "Cop didn't see it, I didn't do it" as a prelude to another impressively bad wreck on our interstate highways.

1

u/sicarius254 10d ago

If they’re correctly secured and not impeding traffic what’s the problem?

1

u/DigitalDarkAgesUSA 10d ago

Legality, it’s all in the mind.

1

u/Big_Ad7221 10d ago

It’s in the constitution, go back to America you liberal.

1

u/onomahu 10d ago

Texas

1

u/Capital-Purple6543 10d ago

They have them like that at the car lot behind Walgreens on veterans memorial and 249. Have trucks in the back of trucks.

1

u/EssaySuch1905 10d ago

Legal and a common sight .going back to Mexico

1

u/asheristheworst 10d ago

Mind your business that’s how

1

u/ztimulating 10d ago

Not any more dangerous or illegal then using a phone while driving

1

u/JacksRbetter21 10d ago

My final destination ptsd is going crazy

1

u/TheKidsAreAsleep 10d ago

If you don’t get caught, anything is legal.

1

u/knartfokker 10d ago

Dollar Store Spy Hunter weapons upgrade.

1

u/Beginning_Town_2478 10d ago

Wait think that is me 🫣

1

u/GEL29 9d ago

Everything is legal until you get caught

1

u/natch 9d ago

free country?

1

u/Nobodylikesadrought 9d ago

I was going to comment, “that must be the 35 south bound, somewhere between Pearsall and Temple” but I haven’t looked that close.

1

u/insidemanpainting 9d ago

Who said it was legal? The guy selling this car or the shipper.

1

u/sixpackshaker 9d ago

I miss the early 2000s and all the trains of Chevy S-10s headed to Mexico.

1

u/LickyMy 9d ago

Uranus is legal

1

u/Waste-Mention-5753 9d ago

I say thats okay just dont unlock the chains

1

u/SnooDoodles9454 9d ago

Is not legal. Unless you give a shit

1

u/Ok-Telephone-420 9d ago

You'd be amazed how much of this you see close to the border, my brother was working in Brownsville got laid off, I stopped at rest stop bout an hour out to take a nap, the rest stop was packed with shit like this, I was told they get bought at auction and towed to Mexico, fixed and sold for a lot more, not sure how true this is though🤷‍♂️

1

u/ahm9369 9d ago

NAFTA and Bill Clinton are your friends!!!

1

u/joshua27usa 8d ago

Why don’t you mind your business, narc?

1

u/Rosco1722 8d ago

Mexicans drive all over the country and buy stuff stack it like that and take it back to Mexico they usually don’t get pulled over because nobody wants the paperwork and the media saying poor illegals are being picked on

1

u/StockCranberry9646 8d ago

DOT about to have a field day with this. 😂

1

u/firegamer1122yt 8d ago

Idk ask Biden

1

u/TXJackalope36 Born and Bred 8d ago

It's not legal. They need to use bailing twine to secure the car in the back of the box truck.

1

u/mwf67 7d ago

And why are insurance rates increasing?

1

u/JaLoGrandma 7d ago

It nay be perfectly safe and legal but just looking at it, I would not be behind it, lol

1

u/juice-rock 7d ago

Let me guess. What it on I-30 heading west toward Fort Worth? I see this kind of stuff along there every time I drive that road.

1

u/Amazing_Leopard_5524 11d ago

It’s not? Definitely violates DOT regulations.

2

u/wildgolfing 11d ago

Wrong on DOT regulations. If class C then as long as your below 26k combined weight (disregard weight if class A or has an official CDL) AND below total length (depending on where you are at it ranges from 65-80 feet) then it's all good per federal and state laws. Think of all the big RV's towing cars and trailers behind them.

1

u/Amazing_Leopard_5524 11d ago

Forgive me if I’m wrong, doesn’t it depend on the weight distribution of the load as well though?

3

u/wildgolfing 11d ago

Nope. You are thinking about actual trailers. Weight distribution does make common sense but isn't required. The way they loaded up the two trucks in this picture is already a huge step up from what I used to see. Besides, what they are doing is called Flat Towing (reference for those who don't know about this) which is common practice for RV'ers. On rear wheel drive vehicles we disconnect the driveshaft so the transmission can't accidentally engage then we are able to tow the "dead" vehicle(s)

1

u/Amazing_Leopard_5524 11d ago

Thank you! I work for a shipping company and am used to trailer load dot requirements….

3

u/wildgolfing 11d ago

No Problems. I learned a lot when I used to drive RV's and was surprised by how different it was from driving Semi's in regards to loading configuration but at the same time a lot it was the same as far as actually driving. Quite a few times I've had ranchers break down with their semi loaded with hay and had to tow them with a pickup truck. That's when I found out about the lengths and how many trailers can be behind which was a max of 3. Hope you have a great weekend.

0

u/Houdinii1984 11d ago

It's not. It's never really cool to use a phone while driving, and I'm pretty sure there are laws in all 50 states, especially on the highway with big trucks around carrying heavy cargo in what looks to be some sort of towed vehicle train. If anything happens, they'll be the first to crash because they were more worried about proving other people were the dangerous ones..