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The sheriff's $1 million emergency vehicle needs $8,000 in repairs to make it legal to drive on California roads. (Courtesy photo)

Too heavy to legally drive on state roads

Cost to fix overweight $1 million sheriff's vehicle: $8,000, plus salaries

By Layla Bohm
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 6:07 AM PDT

Comments (41 comment(s))

A year after a $1 million emergency vehicle arrived at the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, there is one slight problem: It's too heavy to legally drive on California roads.

To fix it, three deputies are planning to drive the large vehicle 2,430 miles each way to the Ohio manufacturer. The 11-day trip will cost $8,000 and needs approval today from the county's Board of Supervisors.

That cost doesn't include $11,000 total salaries for a sergeant and a deputy who have licenses to drive the rig, as well as a lieutenant who is supervising and can inspect the vehicle once it is repaired.

Deputies won't be paid overtime to fill the positions while the three are gone, according to a revised letter Sheriff Steve Moore sent the supervisors Thursday in a request for travel expenses.

The rig was built according to bid specifications, but the manufacturer suggested moving an air-conditioning unit to the back of the vehicle, Capt. Bruce Weist said. As a result, the rear axle has 22,060 pounds on it, and California has a 20,000-pound limit per axle.

The law is in place to prevent road damage, Weist said. Adding another axle will spread the weight and fall well under California limits. Ohio doesn't have such restrictions, he said. The vehicle itself is safe, Weist added.

If the travel expenses are approved today, the Sheriff's Office will seek a travel permit to exceed the weight limit, which Weist said shouldn't be a problem because trucking companies sometimes get them. The vehicle was paid for with funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and it arrived in June 2008. It can be used as a command center during emergencies, such as floods that generally come every seven to 10 years, Weist said.

A key feature of the vehicle is its ability to handle radio frequencies among different jurisdictions, Weist said.

The center's computer and radio system will allow the department to communicate with more than 500 law enforcement agencies in California, according to Moore's letter. Additionally, it can serve as a mobile dispatch center.

The manufacturer, Gerling and Associates, agreed to fix the vehicle at no cost under warranty, but only at their factory in Sunbury, Ohio. The Sheriff's Office has to get it to and from Ohio; the alternative was to find a closer company and thus void the warranty, Weist said.

Other transportation options included shipping the vehicle by train for $18,000, or by truck transportation that would cost $12,000, according to the letter Moore sent to the supervisors.

Instead, Moore proposed sending two deputies with Class A licenses, who will take turns driving the vehicle. However, the vehicle's cab can only legally carry a driver and one passenger, so the third person will drive a rental car — which Sheriff's staff determined would be cheaper than using a county car.

Sheriff's staff broke the cost down as follows:

  • $1,417.79 for the rental car. This includes $419 for the rental, $391 for rental insurance and $607 in fuel, at an average of 24 miles per gallon.

  • $1,458 in fuel for the command center vehicle, which gets 10 miles per gallon of gas.

  • $3,638.90 in lodging. They will spend five nights, from Oct. 4 to Oct. 8, in Ohio at $127.46 per person. During the five nights on the road, the hotels will cost $115 per person.

  • $1,395 in meals. Breakfasts are provided by the hotel in Ohio. The other meals will include five breakfasts, 11 lunches and 10 dinners per person. That breaks down to almost $18 per meal per person.

    Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.

    Reader Feedback

    Gator wrote on Sep 29, 2009 8:09 AM:

    " It looks like a beached white whale.. Who in their right mind would build a
    piece of equipment that large with out tandem axels in the rear. Really!!
    From the start the California vehicle code had to be consulted. Building a
    unit of this size and weight are primary in design and you know it is going
    to be so close you would think bingo we need Tandem axels. Secondly the
    Truck could have been built in California by ENG in Walnut Creek or by
    ALTEC In Dixon California. Both very capable. Now then if the truck is
    over weight then special permits will be needed to Cross seven states to get
    to Ohio. Some states are even more strict on weight than California…should
    Be fun!! 8,000 to put a second Axel springs and drive shaft sounds like a
    wish not reality. If they just move the AC unit then they are still going to be close. In winter it’s not impossible to pick up 4 or 500 lbs of mud etc so
    your over weight again Wahooooooooo!!!! "

    Report Abuse

    sven31 wrote on Sep 27, 2009 2:20 PM:

    " Leonard wrote on Sep 26, 2009 6:13 PM

    Good One!!!!

    I'm sure that on the way back to or from Ohio, these three will be stopping in Branson and/or at every Cabelas, Pro Bass Shop, etc.

    A nice little vacation disguised as work. "

    Report Abuse

    Leonard wrote on Sep 26, 2009 6:13 PM:

    " Too heavy to legally drive on state roads

    Darn, I thought this was an article on Rush Limbaugh. "

    Report Abuse

    sven31 wrote on Sep 25, 2009 5:54 PM:

    " Why does it take 3 people to drive this thing? Hire some out of work experienced trucker to drive it back to where ever.
    No ones going to give SJSO a ticket (although we would be sure to get one in every county and town we might drive through).

    If it's too heavy, try throwing some of the extra amenities out. These guys never buy anything cheap. Drive it where you want it, pop off the wheels, and call it a SO substation. "

    Report Abuse

    galtguy wrote on Sep 25, 2009 10:14 AM:

    " Well it depends. If the Manufacturer can prove he recomended, even warned the buyer against building it this way then the buyer is on the hook. However, if no proof exists that the manufacturer did his due diligence in warning the buyer the fact that this vehicle is in fact illegal to operate then the manufactuer is on the hook. Custom or not, bid specifications or not, the manufactuer has an obligation to professionally advise and guide his customers when constructing something like this.

    If the guy who builds your house constructs a house that isn't up to code he had better have something other than, "well you told me to".

    Like I stated the other day. The manufacturer will be repairing this at his expense right here in Stockton. You watch for the follow up story. Trust me, he will. "

    Report Abuse

    Lodian wrote on Sep 24, 2009 8:34 PM:

    " Galtguy: The article says, "The rig was built according to bid specifications, but the manufacturer suggested moving an air-conditioning unit to the back of the vehicle, Capt. Bruce Weist said. As a result, the rear axle has 22,060 pounds on it, and California has a 20,000-pound limit per axle."

    So, who's responsible? And who should pay for the fix? "

    Report Abuse

    dyan wrote on Sep 24, 2009 6:44 AM:

    " I can identify. I had one of those "green." cars. Never again! "

    Report Abuse

    Galtguy wrote on Sep 24, 2009 6:06 AM:

    " Some of you need to brush up on your reading skills.

    A- It's not LPD. It's SJCSO. To include the entire county.
    B- It's 24 miles to the gallon of gas for the rental car, not for diesel on the truck. The truck gets 10mpg of diesel.
    C- They can NOT operate this vehicle on public roads. Period. End of story. It's not about getting tickets. It's about insurance and liability in the event of an incident involing the vehicle in question.
    D- The enigine of the truck wouldn't need a rebuild after just 5K miles. They're going to Ohio, not the other side of the moon.
    E- You can't just fly out mechanics with "the equipment they need". We're not adjusting a dial here folks. They'll be adding an entire axle.

    Some of you should really read, then think, then post. "

    Report Abuse

    Lodian wrote on Sep 23, 2009 7:21 PM:

    " I say bail on fixing it and if they get a ticket (too funny...like they'll get a ticket) just pay the fine. It's a lot cheaper than the price to fix this monster. "

    Report Abuse

    wineman wrote on Sep 23, 2009 6:09 PM:

    " Who in the SO office is going down for this one? Why don't they just pay a local truck shop and take the hit. OH sorry this would mean that three officers will not be able too vacation while traveling through the US "

    Report Abuse

    dyan wrote on Sep 22, 2009 8:30 PM:

    " Why fix it? Whose going to give the sheriff a ticket? LOL "

    Report Abuse

    tosh conn wrote on Sep 22, 2009 6:27 PM:

    " Today we will have a contest. Everyone is eligible.



    How would you use ONE MILLION DOLLARS OF OUR MONEY !!!!!! "

    Report Abuse

    dogs4you wrote on Sep 22, 2009 5:55 PM:

    " Sam: Stupid should hurt, all the way to the bank, and you can`t come close to fixing stupid. I still can`t believe it, and makes me wonder how many rigs are running over the weight limit as I type. "

    Report Abuse

    sam wrote on Sep 22, 2009 4:57 PM:

    " "Too heavy to legally drive on state roads"
    The title of the article says it all.

    To quote a dear friend... "Stupid Should Hurt". "

    Report Abuse

    dogs4you wrote on Sep 22, 2009 4:32 PM:

    " This article borders on the most ridiclous subject I have ever read, even has the Fed`s beat. A simple answer, remove the freaking A/C unit and when necessary rent one and have a city vechicle pull it to where it is needed. A/C in the winter.

    The roving command center weighs just 2,000 lbs. over the limit. If it never left Lodi who cares, the streets are shot and nobody would notice the difference. By the time it gets back from being altered, the motor might need an overhaul. Even a better way, have the personal from the manufacture fly out and bring the necessary parts to remedy the situation, and that million dollar joke would never leave laughable, not really that smart Lodi. Times like this I tell people I live in Valley Springs, wish I still did. "

    Report Abuse

    edumacation wrote on Sep 22, 2009 4:00 PM:

    " I guess the county could sell it for $500,000 (To the LPD?) and use the money to pay for more sheriff deputies? We could also lease it to the Sierra Club to monitor the minnows in the delta? "

    Report Abuse

    stucknlodi wrote on Sep 22, 2009 3:44 PM:

    " parrotheadsrule thanks for the compliment.
    that just made my day. "

    Report Abuse

    jbhiker wrote on Sep 22, 2009 3:12 PM:

    " 24 miles per gallon? of Diesel? Are you kidding? "

    Report Abuse

    Lodian wrote on Sep 22, 2009 2:46 PM:

    " This all really seems quite ridiculous. "

    Report Abuse

    Lodian wrote on Sep 22, 2009 2:43 PM:

    " Observer (9:58am): It looks like The Record may be trying a new system. Try loggin into the blog of the reporter that wrote the article/story (link at the end of article). "

    Report Abuse

    veritas wrote on Sep 22, 2009 2:42 PM:

    " Would ALL county residents be willing to chip in to pay for this giant hoax ON A PROPORTIONATE BASIS or is it ok because the cost is spread among 300 million taxpaying americans. If you said yes, remember, you are also paying for this unbelievable hoax and waste in millions of towns in the 50 states across america, all doing the same shuck n jive. "

    Report Abuse

    parrotheadsrule wrote on Sep 22, 2009 2:23 PM:

    " Stucknlodi....I'll put this simply so even you can understand...you are a Buffoon. "

    Report Abuse

    DeputyChief wrote on Sep 22, 2009 2:09 PM:

    " Sending three deputies to preform the job that an independant transportation outfit could do is a waste of taxpayer money.

    Sheriff Moore obviously failed to research the least expensive manner in which to transport this vehicle for it's needed modifications. "

    Report Abuse

    Journey wrote on Sep 22, 2009 1:46 PM:

    " Have they even asked the State of CA to give them a pass on this one? "

    Report Abuse

    max stanfield wrote on Sep 22, 2009 1:20 PM:

    " I too don't know why the sheriff is recommending something that costs more and gets less in return. My thought was if there is a major liability accident, a trucking company is insured. Who pays if County employees are involved. While they are licensed to do this type of job do they do it as a regular assignment ? "

    Report Abuse

    Lodiken wrote on Sep 22, 2009 1:10 PM:

    " If the rear axle has 22,060 pounds on it then either it wasn't built to bid specifications... or the bid specifications were wrong. Also, this thing is only used for emergencies so who cares if it's a little over weight. "

    Report Abuse

    Journey wrote on Sep 22, 2009 11:44 AM:

    " We've stayed at Marriott Courtyard -- 2 room suites -- for $104 per might. They should do some advanced planning and cut a better deal with one of the larger chains: Marriott, Hampton, etc. "

    Report Abuse

    dogs4you wrote on Sep 22, 2009 11:37 AM:

    " Mama Llama: evidently Motel 6 turned off the light. To reduce the cost of a sergeant a deputy along with a lieutenant, there are many out of work truckers that would do the job for allot less, and just might be better qualified to drive that $1 million dollar nighmare. When trucking companies are required to move a over weighted load, most of the time, another axel is added to make the proper weight. A better way, if this boondoggle is to be used once or twice a year, rent a big rig to move it into position, with all the savings, more solar powered garbage can be purchased. "

    Report Abuse

    dogs4you wrote on Sep 22, 2009 11:22 AM:

    " Gray Cloud, as usual, good smoke signals. First things first, evidently the weight of the vehicle was an unknown factor when it was purchased. Only 3 ways I can think of to shift the weight of that over weighted vehicle, shift the weight, remove the weight, or add another axel. The cost for that 11 day junket will be $8.000, now factor in the salaries of the personal, add $11,000. If my smarter than a 5th grader addition is correct, that is $19,000 plus wear and tare on the vehicle. To put it on a truck $12,000, or train $18,000 which seems extremly high. To remove 3 members of the LPD to go joy riding around the country at the counties expence, hard to believe it would be approved. A truck with a co-driver will have that $1 million dollar vehicle at it`s location in less than 2 days since they are able to drive straight through. I can`t help but wonder, did the person or persons that approved of this fisco have anything to do with solar powered garbage cans. To be used once every 10 years, priceless. "

    Report Abuse

    lodi boy wrote on Sep 22, 2009 10:58 AM:

    " They should have built it as a hovercraft.
    That way, it would have been light enough to take anywhere. "

    Report Abuse

    Galtguy wrote on Sep 22, 2009 10:46 AM:

    " The meals and the rental arn't where the rip off is. It sounds like some of you folks don't travel for a living, the rates they are quoting are in line with acceptable standards, just check the IRS website for allowable travel expenses.

    The real rub is the truck itself. Obviously not a lot of thought or planning went into it. At least not by qualified people. To even think of making a truck of that scope a two axle truck displays an incredible lack of knowledge of the transportation requirements of this or any other state. Simply put, forget the laws, the axle itself would be running at max all the time, what do you think that will do for longevity? Not to mention the lack of the ability of adding accessories later. On top of that, $1 MILLION? On what? Communication gear? Are they talking to the Space Station?

    This is why you don't have big government, THEY CAN'T BE TRUSTED. For you unknowing folks out there I'm talking about DEMOCRATS! "

    Report Abuse

    stucknlodi wrote on Sep 22, 2009 10:16 AM:

    " each officer needs to have their own room. i am sure they will not share the room. that is how they get $115 per night per person. You cant expect them to smell each others farts and hear each other snore. "

    Report Abuse

    gray cloud wrote on Sep 22, 2009 10:11 AM:

    " 1. Looking at the numbers, it looks much cheaper to turn it over to a trucking company. Also would leave 3 officers on the job.

    2. If it is cheaper to rent a car rather than use a county car, shouldn't the county get rid of their cars and just rent cars ??

    3. If is a waste to all taxpayers. "

    Report Abuse

    Observer wrote on Sep 22, 2009 9:58 AM:

    " Not to change the subject, but does anyone know why you can't post on the Record site anymore? "

    Report Abuse

    edumacation wrote on Sep 22, 2009 9:15 AM:

    " Just a thought. Who pays the speeding tickets? They need to camp at a KOA. am sure they would get a "Good Guy" discount--probably free, like in Stockton. A couple of badges will scare the bad guys away for a few hours. That discount is always present. Don't forget to say hello to Bella at her Hacienda in Wells, NV. They are across from the truck stop. "

    Report Abuse

    Journey wrote on Sep 22, 2009 8:39 AM:

    " "The law is in place to prevent road damage..." This makes sense for the thousands of trucks out there on the road all day long but isn't this particular vehicle one of a kind? So why not just give them a pass -- one time only. I'm sure it's not on the road 24/7 and can't imagine it doing much, if any, damage when it is used. "

    Report Abuse

    edumacation wrote on Sep 22, 2009 8:37 AM:

    " Is this a joke!

    This is a boondogle! What motel in the middle of nowhere is charging $115/night/person along I-80? How about the $127/night/person in Bent branch Ohio? Does this come with room service? LOL $1395 for meals? What are you eating? I think you should pack your own meals, practice for a riot or something. We know you plan to eat pizza and donuts and keep the cash difference. Those $18 meals sound tasty. Bring us the menu's so we can learn how you spent the money. That room service life is tough. A car that can legally carry only one driver and one passenger? What happens when a cruiser picks up gangbangers in the hood. Thats more than two people.

    Isn't Moore the guy who had his car stolen out of his own DRIVEWAY? It sounds like the criminals are afraid of him. Thats why they come to Stockton.

    $1417 for a rental car? Why don't you tow a car instead? "

    Report Abuse

    Mama Llama wrote on Sep 22, 2009 8:22 AM:

    " $18.00 per meal per person...who really needs to spend that much on meal after meal, day after day? And, $115 per person per night for hotels...have they not learned how to bargain hunt? "

    Report Abuse

    stucknlodi wrote on Sep 22, 2009 8:05 AM:

    " leave it to the LEO's to waste money. Maybe one of them should become President too. They all waste money because it is not their own. They dont care. And i agree, do you think the CHP will pull over a sheriff vehicle. I dont think so, they take care of their own. "

    Report Abuse

    t jefferson wrote on Sep 22, 2009 6:36 AM:

    " other that the fact that this was just 1 million dollars of taxpayer money completely wasted.....why would anybody expect the police to follow the law? Who is going to pull them over? Why do they need this huge "command center"? In case the terrorists attack the grape vineyards?

    This is a complete joke...I really wish I could stop paying taxes. My money is completely wasted by the government everyday. "

    Report Abuse

    Galtguy wrote on Sep 22, 2009 5:14 AM:

    " (On the phone the cops with the truck builder) Hmmm... where'd I put that California VC book... nah we don't need to check it. Just build it. We'll figure it out later.

    (On the other end of the line) That's fine, even though this is what we do for a living and should know better we'll go ahead and ship a vehicle that isn't legal where we're shipping it. Just build it. We'll figure it out later.

    Both of you are idiots. Why not make the truck a three axle to begin with? This way you wouldn't have to worry about weight and could even ADD accessories. Or didn't that cross your mind?

    This is just another case of someone spending someone else's money (namely ours) so there isn't a need to be accountable. So they arn't. Is it shows. We (the American Public) paid a MILLION $ for a vehicle that will hardly get used, EVER. San Joaquin County is NOT LA or NYC, it's not exactly a high priority target on the Taliban's list! "

    Report Abuse

    Comments on this story are now closed.

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