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Looking for a recommendation on a good online retailer of "overwidth gear." Seeking input from anyone who has actually purchased and used these items and can comment on the quality of the products they purchased.
Also, how did you prevent the front banner from restricting airflow to your radiator and keep the rear one from scratching the boat?
I've been purchasing the permits, but doing without the gear for two years. I figure my luck is about up.
I have an 07 chevy silverado classic I use bungie cords on the front bumper the banner covers the bumper perfectly and does not affect air flow. I bought the banners and flags at a local trailer supply in orlando they are decent quality I don't remeber the cost, and I have never used the flags I have them in the truck in case I get stopped which I never have. The boat has a beam of 11'7" and 14' tall
I've ordered from these places, not sure which one last. I use bungies also front and rear. You can also purchase banners and flags in any truck stop like Loves, Pilot, Petro ect.
Thank you for the reply. How are you fastening the banner to the back of your boat?
check you local regs. We normally tow about 11'8" with a tractor trailer, the wide load sign on the front bumper and flags bungee'd to the wide load on the trailer. This isn't a boat, but same rules apply. Were going to move to battery operated stropes on each corner, but haven't yet.
You may not need the wide load on the back. Save you a few bucks if this is the case.
sjef thanks for the links. I'll probably purchase my banners from jsdist this week. Mike B. are the strobes considered a replacement for flags or banners? I'm studying NC DOT regulations right now (may be headed down for BFT bite) and their regs list the strobes, but do not specify their application. All their charts call for is flags and banners. I will call them today, but was just wondering if you had any insight on this. Thanks again for all the help!
I had my local vinyl sign people put yellow vinyl on a couple pieces of aluminum sheet. They then put "wide load" in black letters. I mounted the front sign on a piece of aluminum angle that bolted to the tow hooks and had the clearance flags at each end.
The sign for the back of the boat had two holes for the prop shafts. I took the props off and put the sign on. There are pictures below. Those signs and flags have made three cross country trips with me. The flags are on 1/2 inch heavy PVC pipe and screw right into pipe caps bolted to the trailer beams. Make a few extra because they will fatigue and break.
sjef thanks for the links. I'll probably purchase my banners from jsdist this week. Mike B. are the strobes considered a replacement for flags or banners? I'm studying NC DOT regulations right now (may be headed down for BFT bite) and their regs list the strobes, but do not specify their application. All their charts call for is flags and banners. I will call them today, but was just wondering if you had any insight on this. Thanks again for all the help!
Sorry for responding so late, I just saw your post. The strobes actually do replace the flags that are required at the corner points of the wide load itself. Now, I'm not saying that troopers know this law. As will all things DOT, The wheels of education turn slow when it comes to the guys pounding the pavement and writing tickets. If your in NC and you can download the document that states that, I would carry it with you. Most guys are OK about this. Let us know how you make out..I'd be interested.
My banner and flags were ordered from Grainger.com and the banner has a rope that runs throught it. I can put the banner across my bumper and tie it off in the wheel wells. For the boat banner, I tie them to a cleat in the boat and to the trailer. So far has worked fine for me.
VA State Police informed me that if the permit specifically calls for flags, flags must be used and I could not substitute amber strobes. The trooper said that they would read the wording of my OW permit and make sure I was in compliance with what it requires, not the statute in general, but specifically what was called for on MY permit. I'll have to re-read my permit tonight. Will call NC Monday.
Overwidth flags and banners? 
