Stopping at weigh stations?

Bobbyba · 09-26-2016, 08:09 AM

Preparing for a cross country trip and am a bit confused when reading some states requirements, when it comes to stopping at weigh stations. Would like to hear suggestions from other experienced travelers. Getting mixed recommendation from some others. What do y'all recommend? Will be traveling I-95, and I-10, east to west.

chrisbailey13 · 09-26-2016, 08:11 AM

No need for recreational vehicles to stop at Weight Stations.

JCMINIS · 09-26-2016, 08:16 AM

I go right past them, never even crossed my mind. My rig even looks commercial as its all white.

Jim34RL · 09-26-2016, 08:21 AM

The only RV's that are required to stop at weight stations are units either being towed or driven by commercial haulers who are delivering them to a dealer. Or if you are a commercial hauler and using the RV for commercial business purposes.

If you are a private RV and using it non commercial needs than you do not need to stop. I have traveled out east and west traveling through 40 of our 50 states and I have never stop at a weight station. In fact in WI on I90, I had a station information sign light up telling me I did not need to stop. I was in the RH lane which I always drive in.

JCMINIS · 09-26-2016, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim34RL

I had a station information sign light up telling me I did not need to stop. I was in the RH lane which I always drive in.

You saying that reminded me. I was going into Oklahoma and the sign said I needed to stop. I kept going with no issue. I assume it was some type of length measuring system maybe, @ 63ft combined it may have thought I was a semi. Idk.

Iggy · 09-26-2016, 09:57 AM

Unless there is a sign that says specifics "RVs must stop", don't.

NO3putt · 09-26-2016, 10:01 AM

Have never stopped, figure if they wanted us to stop they would say including RV or something like that.

Bobbyba · 09-26-2016, 11:07 AM

Ok. Thanks for the advise. Will not stop.

Telstar · 09-26-2016, 12:48 PM

The word "TRUCK" on road signs refers to commercial trucks. RV's do not have to stop at weigh stations and do not have to follow "TRUCK" speed limits with the exception of California where all vehicles towing any size trailer have a maximum speed limit of 55 MPH.

325BH · 09-26-2016, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telstar

The word "TRUCK" on road signs refers to commercial trucks. RV's do not have to stop at weigh stations and do not have to follow "TRUCK" speed limits with the exception of California where all vehicles towing any size trailer have a maximum speed limit of 55 MPH.

The word TRUCK is defined state by state. In IL, a TRUCK includes pickup trucks. There is also no blanket exception for RV's. It is up to the state.

Of course in practice, nobody cares about RV's and pickups... however unless your state law says so, it isn't the case.

StanDonna · 09-26-2016, 12:57 PM

We're on a trip in our 2004 forty foot motor home. I noticed that many weigh stations in South Dakota and Iowa had signs that said "All Vehicles weighing more than 8,000 pounds must stop". I didn't stop, but kept watching in the rear-view mirror to see if they were coming after us. I wish the signs would say, "All trucks instead of all vehicles". I was confused and still not 100% sure that I shouldn't have stopped. PS. No one came after us.

mike.t · 09-26-2016, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 325BH

The word TRUCK is defined state by state. In IL, a TRUCK includes pickup trucks. There is also no blanket exception for RV's. It is up to the state.

Of course in practice, nobody cares about RV's and pickups... however unless your state law says so, it isn't the case.

Are you saying in some states an RV must stop at the scales? If so please list these states so others can avoid any issues.
Thanks
Mike

Bobbyba · 09-26-2016, 01:17 PM

Huh, now y'all understand my confusion. Just sayin.

SEAYALL · 09-26-2016, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobbyba

Preparing for a cross country trip and am a bit confused when reading some states requirements, when it comes to stopping at weigh stations. Would like to hear suggestions from other experienced travelers. Getting mixed recommendation from some others. What do y'all recommend? Will be traveling I-95, and I-10, east to west.

Wasn't in my mh , but I noticed going across Mo. Everything over 8000 lbs Spose to stop, nothing about commercial or rv. Just 8000 lbs pull in, think another reader got pulled over in Maryland for not stopping. TT no worries , I am a trucker, so if you own it no stop. Transporters do stop an weigh station message board picks up there DOT number on cab, they must stop , my Gvwr is over 42000lbs so that's another story

WolfWhistle · 09-26-2016, 03:01 PM

Weigh Stations - AAA Digest of Motor Laws

Clear as mud! Who hires these people to answer questions? I do know that I have never stopped nor have I been pinched. I have see rigs lined up at the scales, but have always thought RVs are wrong to stop. I live in FL found this:

"All trucks traveling along state maintained highways are expected to stop at every Weigh Station and Agricultural Inspection Station along the way to their destination. If you're pulling a rental trailer with your personal vehicle, the combined weight of your personal vehicle and the commercial rental trailer can not exceed 10,000lbs, if so, you would be expected to enter the scale facilities in Florida."

It seems the rental trailer makes it a commercial venture. A reasonable person might then think "trucks" if pulling personal trailers would not be commercial and therefor not required to stop. Then he or she, introduces that personal vehicle and commercial rental trailer GCVW can't exceed 10K#. My pickup can weigh up to 9K# by itself.

Glad I could help LOL..
WW

SEAYALL · 09-26-2016, 03:11 PM

So strange, cause I just came thru Mo. Yesterday, an sign was very clear, I guess they assume commercial h

Oakman · 09-26-2016, 03:12 PM

While I haven't been in every state I sure have been in a lot of them and I've yet to stop at a weigh station nor have I been pulled over for not pulling in. I've been rving with a fifth wheel since 2003.

Loefflerh · 09-26-2016, 03:17 PM

What about - can you stop at a weight station and get your weight of the motorhome?

OldCoot · 09-26-2016, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 325BH

The word TRUCK is defined state by state. In IL, a TRUCK includes pickup trucks. There is also no blanket exception for RV's. It is up to the state.

Of course in practice, nobody cares about RV's and pickups... however unless your state law says so, it isn't the case.

In 1972 when I got my 72 El Camino, not knowing the law, I stopped at an Illinois weight station and the operator said over the speaker, "Come back when your truck grows up." So, after that, I never stopped with the 78 1500 or the 81 El Camino or any of the pickups I've used pulling various trailers thru IL.

jkoenig24 · 09-26-2016, 03:22 PM

TECHNICALLY, many jurisdictions now state weight limits for vehicles that must pull into a Weigh Station. Signs will specify (ie: "Vehicles Over 5 Tons"). Note the generic word "Vehicles". MANY RVs qualify under such posted weight rules. That said, most jurisdictions have NOT been going after RVs. Until that changes, RVers are probably better off NOT pulling in unless a uniformed officer directs them in. Worst case right now; you do not pull in and, a patrol car follows and stops you. Although ignorance is no excuse, civility and politeness on your part, might result in a warning rather than a ticket. Most people who inadvertently violate a traffic law talk their way into a ticket by arguing with the officer. As jurisdictions find themselves in dire financial straits, things could change. A smart RVer gets his rig PROPERLY weighed (a service offered for a modest fee at many bigger RV rallies). Having such a Smart Weigh document with you could, if you did weigh less than the specified limit, explain why you did not enter a Weigh Station. Knowing your rig's true weight can keep you safer too.

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