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NW snocat travel regulations

Nikson

Nikson

Bronze Member
Being that I plan to use my 1402 Imp this winter, a question came up within group of my friends.

Where can you go on the snocat?

Anywhere where there is a snow? (I dont mean like go play at the Timberline lodge next to skiers)

But are there any actual restrictions for snocat travel?

Limited to the "snowmobile" rec areas and winter parks, or?

Washington state info is welcome as well...
 
I'm just bought my first cat that I can't see till Thursday night when I get home from work. But I am also wondering these same things along with do you need orv tabs or liscence plates. Also does anyone trailer a 9.5' wide cat and if so do you get an oversize permit or just go for it. Thanks for all the info i will work on getting some pics posted.
 
I joined a snowmobile club.
that got me to....
Monthly County alliance meetings,
and that got me invited to state called conferences.

I still don't have the secret hand shake but these events had all the folks I needed to network with.

Mike
 
Fellas, its not a question about what helped you, curiosity are the facts at hand...

For the most part I believe that one could wonder around in "winterland" on a cat anywhere and no one would even care/know he was there...
 
JimVT said:
I go to the public meetings at our forest Service. This helped me out .
Click to expand...

I see your from wa also. Is there any special rules and regulations that you know of that would help a new the sport person out. Or do you know of a good Website link that will guide me in the right direction.

Thanks for your help.
 
Snowmobile trails are not open for snow cats but forest service roads are fair game and yes you need an orv license for the cat an adventure pass for parking your truck and trailer. The forest service requires you stay on forest service roads and obey all signage and closed gates if you come across any. As for trailering a 9'-6" cat, yes you need an oversize load permit that can be bought by the month or annually. Any thing over 8'-6" wide in Washington requires a permit and you must have oversize load signs on front and back of your vehicle and the load must have flags at the widest point on all four corners. Hope this helps, see ya in the snow soon!
 
I am going to try and make it to the track party. That time of year I usually have another event that I attend but if I am home for this track party I'm definitely going to try and make it, as long as I don't run into anything major with this new cat.


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Tye one on said:
Snowmobile trails are not open for snow cats but forest service roads are fair game and yes you need an orv license for the cat an adventure pass for parking your truck and trailer. The forest service requires you stay on forest service roads and obey all signage and closed gates if you come across any. As for trailering a 9'-6" cat, yes you need an oversize load permit that can be bought by the month or annually. Any thing over 8'-6" wide in Washington requires a permit and you must have oversize load signs on front and back of your vehicle and the load must have flags at the widest point on all four corners. Hope this helps, see ya in the snow soon!
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I think what you mean is groomed snowmobile trails.
 
interesting,
relating to WI.
I saw a document with the literature of a cat for sale in WI, it was a letter of understanding between the owner and the WI DNR. it basically stated that if the machine crossed a trail or drove on a trail (groomed or not it did not discern) the machine had to registered as a sno machine. (snow mobile) if the trail was groomed the Machine had to drag something behind it to smooth out its track....
I have been meaning to inquire here in WI about that. document as i did not buy that machine.
Mike
 
Tye one on said:
Wisconsin is a whole different animal. We live in Washington state, I can only speak to the laws in Washington.
Click to expand...

Yes washington is what I'm interested in, I don't plan on running my new cat in any other states. Just curious as to what I need or should know before the snow flies and I go out and get in trouble.
 
Do you have a title for your cat ? some states dont require a title . I didnt have a title and WS DOL liscensed me with a snowmobile plate and tag today .Because I have tracks or skis . Im not going to be driving on snowmobile trails even though they gave me the tag .

They used the use code SNO when they did the paper work . If I had a title they would have done an ORV plate and tag . I was not required to file for a title and buy an ORV tag . This was my experience at my DOL office this morning . If your from out of state you can get a temp tag to run for alot less money while you visit
 
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man i love the state of alaska go where you want if the machine is under 4500 pounds no permits required private land will require a permit at the land owners decression.
 
Iron goat that's good news. What kind of documents did you take to the wsdol. I was kinda worried about getting something but if its that easy I won't worry. Thanks.


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Nate b said:
Iron goat that's good news. What kind of documents did you take to the wsdol. I was kinda worried about getting something but if its that easy I won't worry. Thanks.


I have no title and I am a tracked vehicle so they sold me a snowmobile plate and tag . Do you have a title for your cat ? If so you will want the ORV tags . let me know how it gos.:smile:
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dds said:
man i love the state of alaska go where you want if the machine is under 4500 pounds no permits required private land will require a permit at the land owners decression.
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Any truck and trailer combo over 16,000 pounds now has to stop at the scales. So Im told
 
There isn't many scales in Alaska is there.
Also iron goat. Did you tell them it had skis or did u just call it and describe it as a snow cat.


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Nate b said:
There isn't many scales in Alaska is there.
Also iron goat. Did you tell them it had skis or did u just call it and describe it as a snow cat.


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They told me if it has tracks or skis it will fall under the SNO line code .

I said under the SNO line code . I need a "Vintage Snowmobile plate" and tag . I have no tittle . And I use my cat to go to and from our cabin.....

You may elect to buy a discovery pass at the forest service . This may or may not help you with parking in certian areas .

For those from OUT OF STATE who are traveling to the Snow Cat Jamboree Jan 25~ 27th . You will want to ask DMV for an out of state Vintage Snow Cat Plate and Tag under the SNO line code .
 
some of our close states will except our permits and licences. You may check on yours and see
 
That would be any commercial vehical if you are not for hire just put not for hire on your trailer and you will be ok But if the trailer has a GVWR of 10000lbs or more you must have a class a license that is federal law I learned that the hard way















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Nate b said:
There isn't many scales in Alaska is there.
Also iron goat. Did you tell them it had skis or did u just call it and describe it as a snow cat.


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Click to expand...
m

wrong there are scales and dmv enforcement officers in alaska where i'm at there are scales at the pits but not on the roads the officers some times visit us and they do bring the portable scales.
 
I know there's a scale in fox, tok, and they often do jump scale at delta junction, but those are the only ones that I have dealt with in Alaska.
 
I just got off the phone with Bow Hill Wa port of entry . For those off us that are NOT for commercial use . Just keep on going ! You still will want to make sure your trailer and its tires are rated for the load . The officer mentioned that if you dont want to get hasseld by State patrol . Chain the hell out of your load . One chain over any blade is perferred as well as four point tie down .
 
Nate b said:
Did you happen to ask any questions about over width being non commercial.
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Your biggest concern will be road closure or restrictions ~ do to road conditions . When the passes get a bunch of snow the WSDOT sometimes puts restrictions on wide loads and oversized loads . Call this number for questions 360 766 6196 . This is Bow Hill Port of entry . I chose to give you this number because they are easy to talk too about

Wide loads
Towing a load and requirements
Scales
Securing your load
Anything concerning your towing the cat in Washington State

Anyone out there that is even thinking about towing a cat in Washington should call this number . This will be straight from WSP all the answers you need .

Something to think about .

Know your trailers weight empty
Know your trailers rated weight for hauling .
Know your cats weight full of fuel
take a look at your trailer tires find the rating
Example
10,000 pound rated trailer has four tires rated at 2910 psi (not air pressure)
this means your tires are rated for a load of 11,640 pounds
But remember you trailer is only rated for 10,000 pounds you can not exceed that .
If you exceed 10,000 pounds you can try and move your load forward on the trailer taking weight off the trailer and onto the truck towing the trailer .
If you decied to move your load forward putting more weight on the truck . know the weight of the truck on the rear axel empty and then add your new weight from the trailer tong weight . Check the sticker in the truck door jam to see you havent exceeded the weight rating for the truck rear axel . Some cat owners take the blade off or turn it as far forward as possible to get under the 8'6" requirement .

There is a thing called Tonage this is something you buy at DMV . Ask about this when you renew your tabs on your truck . You may need to buy extra tonage . Tonage is what the State Patrol is going to write you up for if everything else is in order and your not commercial . If you tow with a commercial truck expect to get stopped by WSDOT . Call the above number make your like simple they will explain it all to you . :flowers: Oh one other thing to think about IS your hitch rated for the load your towing ???? If I missed something , there are plenty of folks on this forum that will pipe in with a correction .
 
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the hitch is a good one most class 3 hitches may be rated to 10 k or more but that is when used with a equalizer system as just a load carrying hitch most are only rated for 500 pound toung weight and a 5 k tow weight. as for scales in alaska there are scales in anchorage fairbanks keani and valdez so just about any place on the road system this will be of concern in the bush when you off the road system there aer somme dot restrictions but enforcement officers just visit occasionaly.
 
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