Weight station Pull Overs

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Flybob

The posted weight is the individual weight not the combined weight,.

Yep, and the posted weight is 5-tons. In my communications with the Maryland State Highway Administration, even when I'm traveling in my dually non-commercially by itself (12,300 lb. GVWR), I'm supposed to stop.

That said, there was also an undertone of the emails that basically said, "yeah, you're supposed to, but we won't come after you". I don't stop when towing and certainly am not stopping with the truck alone.

BUT- this is one of those "spirit of the law vs. the letter of the law". The spirit is commercial only. The letter is, everyone over 5T GVWR.

[BooBoo23]

Depends on the state you are in. As stated in some states over 10,000gvw ( think a 42' MH qualifies) and towing (Toad) with a passenger vehicle or specialty vehicle (RV) you are then required to pull through the WS.

[rhart]

I think I'll go with the spirit of the law. Or...ask forgiveness not permission. A lifelong code.

[pdqparalegal1]

There is always the chance you "might" be overweight or have a safety item. Do you have the mandatory fire extinguisher/ Is it's location labeled? Best to leave them alone. Toy hauler, have any fuel improperly stored? The list goes on.

[lindalees818]

My husband was DOT for 34 years. He said they'd more than likely wave you through.

[lindalees818]

Also, if you pull in and they DO weigh you, it's possible that if you are overweight they may do something about it. It's like driving with lights not working...a trooper can pull you over for being unsafe. If you let them weigh you and you're over what your weight should be, you may be considered unsafe to them. So if you pull in and you've got an unsafe problem you may be asking for trouble.

[4mula1fan]

Originally Posted by lindalees818

Also, if you pull in and they DO weigh you, it's possible that if you are overweight they may do something about it. It's like driving with lights not working...a trooper can pull you over for being unsafe. If you let them weigh you and you're over what your weight should be, you may be considered unsafe to them. So if you pull in and you've got an unsafe problem you may be asking for trouble.

Yep. One light out on a bad day for the LEO's could result in a bad day for the operator. Like I said, don't ask for it.

[Allisfan]

You will not get a gross weigh of your rig on their scales anyway, just axle weights that do a quick calculation to ensure the truck is not over gross

[silverback 35ts]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

No.

Private rig, not for hire, not under DOT authority.

Well in most states you are correct, BUT more and more states are ADDING not just rv's but anything over a certain weight or registration type. I know for a fact EVERYTHING in FL has to go through the scales, now if you are an rv you have a separate line, and also in CA it is the same.

So as more and more states change the registrations and drivers licenses and the need for an endorsements for rv's'

So as a driver it is always the drivers responsibility to read ALL signs to know what you are suppose to do or not to do. SO please drive carefully and just watch the signs as they will tell you if you NEED to pull in, as if you drive past it could be a big ticket or worse, as the cops pulling you over will DOT police and then they could make things very unhappy (if you a drive by)

[mike.t]

Originally Posted by Jim Schings

I didn't plan on it, but was curious. Now you have me more curious...

Why "WILL" they find something wrong? 99+% of the trucks that go through have no problems and THEY ARE being checked for legality. If I do get weighed, the DOT guy has no other authority to check my rig, or search it etc. You sound a little paranoid.....

I had a Freightliner with a 14ft RV Cab and 53 foot double decker Featherlite trailer that I used to haul our race cars from shop to track and back. While I was "not for hire" per se', I got stopped in NC and Ohio by troopers who insisted I had to go through the scales. (nicely enough). So I did. Without a DOT number etc, the scale guys told the troopers they were crazy and they just passed me through both times.. Again nice enough.. So, I just wonder why you think they are going to get me for something. I am figuring they get a puzzled look and weigh me or... tell me to get the hell off their scales...

I think now that I am going to try it. I will let you know.

You know for a fact that the DOT guy has no other authority. What if someone saw something fall of of your rig and followed you to the scales and told the DOT guy what they saw.

[sherman12]

My brother worked NYS DOT truck safety inspections for 30 years, 20 of them supervisor. They did not have any legal authorities other than "safety items" for commercial trucks. That is why they always worked in tandem with local or state law enforcement.

[mud yapster]

Thanks for answering my question, I never stopped at those scales but always looked to see if the cops were coming after me for not stopping. Glad I never stopped at the scales and pissed them off. LOL