Got pulled over because of Bully hitch step

[TKranbuhl]

Was his name Barney?

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[GPSMan]

Texas law says it can't be obstructed. We got a bike rack and put a license plate holder on it for this reason. We also added some brake lights so the vehicles behind us could see our brake lights.

= good citizen

 

[GPSMan]

A step is not a trailer, a bike rack, or a wheelchair holder.

And if you pull a trailer in most states you need to have a plate on the trailer. Non issue with actual trailers.

 

[Mikknj]

Mine does the same thing, now I’m paranoid

Wow after seeing this, I ask - what about the hitch itself - at a broad enough angle the hitch is going to block the plate!

 

[ATXTACOS]

Aren't you supposed to be a good citizen and move the plate to the rear window of your truck tho? Theres the win-win solution.

I didn't make the law, I just follow it. I do take it off when I'm not using it regularly.

 

[Waterick]

If you want to keep it on for bump protection, how would a hitch riser or drop work? Get it above or below the plate. Still do not have my Maverick.

 

[Frick]

There's a reason the plate number has to be clearly visible from 50'. If they are looking for a particular vehicle and plate number and your vehicle matches the description but they can't clearly see the plate number you will get pulled over and be wasting their time if you aren't the one they are looking for. Just follow the law as you are required to and understand the legislature wrote each motor vehicle law for a reason.
And no, most departments don't have quotas for number of tickets to be written. If a fix-it or warning will handle the situation then that is usually what will get written unless your attitude during initial contact warrants otherwise.
Also, it is the lion and wildebeest with traffic enforcement. There are so many violations on the road and so few police that only a tiny number actually get caught. Teslas and most high-end vehicles usually have a high rate of violation such as no front plate and tint.

Yum..

You lick badges before or after you kneel?

 

[FJM]

The moment I pulled out of the parking lot at work to go home last night, a cop that had been sitting beside the lot pulled me over. I had no idea what I had done because I literally had been driving for 5 seconds.

He told me that my Bully hitch step obscures the first 2 letters of my license plate when viewing the vehicle from the left and that it's a violation. I told him I've been driving with it on for half a year all over Texas and been around many many cops and none have pulled me over for that.

After he left me I saw him pull out and pull over the first car he saw driving past us too.

Is this BS? Should I leave my hitch on or take it off? I use it every day. Never had a problem until this guy and I've been driving with it everywhere for months. You can see the plate fine when standing behind the truck. It's just when you move to the left because the plate is to the right of the hitch. But wouldn't that mean any hitch I put on my truck would do the same thing?

It seems like Buford T. Justice will be in that lot waiting to Bully you again.

 

[SamJenkins1313]

I’m in Mississippi, I have one that’s 23” and covers the first two letters looking directly but a camera cop in Louisiana got enough of it to cost me $190. For a 52 in 40 mailed to me and he was to the left from behind !

 

[NJBob]

There's a reason the plate number has to be clearly visible from 50'. If they are looking for a particular vehicle and plate number and your vehicle matches the description but they can't clearly see the plate number you will get pulled over and be wasting their time if you aren't the one they are looking for. Just follow the law as you are required to and understand the legislature wrote each motor vehicle law for a reason.
And no, most departments don't have quotas for number of tickets to be written. If a fix-it or warning will handle the situation then that is usually what will get written unless your attitude during initial contact warrants otherwise.
Also, it is the lion and wildebeest with traffic enforcement. There are so many violations on the road and so few police that only a tiny number actually get caught. Teslas and most high-end vehicles usually have a high rate of violation such as no front plate and tint.

Yes true, my son's a cop and says tgere are so many violations like that he doesn't bother. Only will pull them over if they do a moving violation. But that being said it's still a violation.

 

[RLmesc]

The same thing can be said of you were towing something. Unless a semi is bobtailing, they never can see the tractors plate in the rear.

 

[James K]

The moment I pulled out of the parking lot at work to go home last night, a cop that had been sitting beside the lot pulled me over. I had no idea what I had done because I literally had been driving for 5 seconds.

He told me that my Bully hitch step obscures the first 2 letters of my license plate when viewing the vehicle from the left and that it's a violation. I told him I've been driving with it on for half a year all over Texas and been around many many cops and none have pulled me over for that.

After he left me I saw him pull out and pull over the first car he saw driving past us too.

Is this BS? Should I leave my hitch on or take it off? I use it every day. Never had a problem until this guy and I've been driving with it everywhere for months. You can see the plate fine when standing behind the truck. It's just when you move to the left because the plate is to the right of the hitch. But wouldn't that mean any hitch I put on my truck would do the same thing?

I always give LEOs the benefit of the doubt. Not worth getting on the bad side. Your case makes me think he thought he found a perp and needed to see your plate before an arrest but when you pulled out, he was inconvenienced reading your plate. As another post suggests, your step may not comply and he let you know. Anyone who's been in this line of work will tell you most of the folks are decent, but you always have those few that that make you scratch your head and wonder if maybe they were picked on as kids. Regardless, if he's decent officer or letting you know he has a gun and a badge, it's not worth a second thought. But I would comply just to avoid another issue.

 

[DoubleR]

The moment I pulled out of the parking lot at work to go home last night, a cop that had been sitting beside the lot pulled me over. I had no idea what I had done because I literally had been driving for 5 seconds.

He told me that my Bully hitch step obscures the first 2 letters of my license plate when viewing the vehicle from the left and that it's a violation. I told him I've been driving with it on for half a year all over Texas and been around many many cops and none have pulled me over for that.

After he left me I saw him pull out and pull over the first car he saw driving past us too.

Is this BS? Should I leave my hitch on or take it off? I use it every day. Never had a problem until this guy and I've been driving with it everywhere for months. You can see the plate fine when standing behind the truck. It's just when you move to the left because the plate is to the right of the hitch. But wouldn't that mean any hitch I put on my truck would do the same thing?

Assh*le cop.... straight up BS.

 

[Motorjunkie]

Were also in Texas and my wife had plastic covers over her plates that had faded from the sun. Plate was still visible but not from the sides. The cop let her off with a warning but told her to take off the covers. So she complied. Would a slight drop down fix the issue?

I have a real problem with the "low hanging fruit" syndrome some law enforcement officers have. Why don't they go after real criminals? Oops.......was that a smidge political? I don't give a f#*k.

 

[CajunMick]

Reading this stuff reminded me of an incident I experienced few years ago. I was stopped by a LEO, his lights on. I having a WTH moment, I know did nothing wrong. The cop jumped out of his cruiser, walked up to my door, saying “You did nothing wrong.” I just wanted to see your vehicle!

My vehicle was a restored 1966 Chevrolet Corvair , one that I restored. He went over the car, asking bunch questions. He told me he’s too doing restoration on a classic.

After this event, I only laughed n. smiled.

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