Highway weigh stations

[RickB]

Just about all motorhomes are above that number, and they are not required to weigh. In Illinois, I'm pretty sure it has to be a commercial outfit to be required. Although busses are also exempt.

I'm not mentioning motor homes, and neither is the original poster. In most states, they have their own class of plate and registration. RV's and motor homes also get a free ride when it comes to requiring competent drivers too, but that's another problem entirely.

 

[BJN644]

I've seen 1-tons at the check stops in Maine before, the sign says all trucks and busses, I suspect most smaller rigs would be waved through. I wouldn't chance getting chased down, if your GVW is 10,000 or more you are considered commercial.

In fact in Maine you need to register commercial if your GVW is 6,000 or more. I got into a big argument with the folks at the motor vehicle office several years ago. I insisted that my vehicle was for personal use and not used commercially. They said it didn't matter, it was what was stamped on the door of the truck as to what the GVW was, and over 6,000 is considered commercial in Maine. I still say say it's BS, and I know allot of people get away without doing it. She did say the fine was allot more than the extra fee for commercial registration.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Call them!!!

all states are different.
In colorado, commercial or not, below 26,000, you don't pull into the scale houses. (but if you are commercial, no matter what you weigh, you have to stop at the mobile DOT stations)
In Kansas, commercial, no matter what you weigh, they want to see you in the scale house. even just a pickup (yes, i was shocked too)


On a seperate note, it's a good thing that the RV'er's have a serious good lobbyists, because if they did weigh, 90% of them would be overweight and out of service.
But somehow they get off scot free.

 

[Bird]

RV'er's have a serious good lobbyists, because if they did weigh, 90% of them would be overweight

Where'd you get that 90% number? I always guessed it was only about 75%, but you might be right.

 

[shakin]

bjn you are right about maine. anything that has the potential to weigh over 10,000 needs a commercial plate or at least a combination plate. around here and there a stations on each side of my town they will come and get you if you look over the 10,000. go by them with a dually and a trailer and tractor see what happens, maybe if they have bigger fish on the hook you might get lucky but if they are just waiting for something to do look out. and by the way do not forget about the commercial inspection sticker it's different than the one for vehicles under 10,000

 

[orezok]

Most of the weigh station signs here in CA have "No Pickups" listed on them. Now the issue becomes what is a pickup? Is a F450 a pickup? A F550? All pickups in CA are registered as commercial vehicles.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Where'd you get that 90% number? I always guessed it was only about 75%, but you might be right.

Pulled it out of my.......................
errr I mean it's a SWAG.

But i'm pretty sure.

3/4 ton (F250s) do not pull fully loaded 35 foot 5th wheels and still make weight.

 

[Willl]

I'd blow right past and not even think about it.

 

[Highbeam]

I'd blow right past and not even think about it.

Me too. Non-commercial pickups are not "trucks".

I have pulled into closed weigh stations and used the scales to check my weights and to be sure that I'm loaded properly.

 

[Bird]

Me too. Non-commercial pickups are not "trucks".

I have pulled into closed weigh stations and used the scales to check my weights and to be sure that I'm loaded properly.

I've never seen one where you could see the weight when they were closed. However, I have pulled in with the motorhome, told them I knew I didn't have to stop, but wanted to know what my rig weighed and they told me.

When my brother got out of the Matco Tool Distributor business, he and I took his truck to Denver to be refurbished, new dealer name and phone number painted on it, etc. and we were towing his Suzuki Sidekick on a two wheeled dolly. When we entered Colorado and drove onto the scales, they told him to pull off to the side and come inside (something that hadn't happened in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas), but they only asked what he was hauling. It seems they want to know if you're coming into their state to sell something. When he told them the truck was empty and why we were taking it to Denver, they didn't check any further.