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12-15-2017, 10:10 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 44
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Weigh Station Protocol
We purchased a nice Class C last August and we are still figgering things out. One big item on my list is getting tire pressure correct. I've read the info on the cab door panel and my best guess from that was 80 PSI cold for all six tires (2016 Coachmen Freelander 21 QB). The guessing part is my not knowing the fully loaded weight of the RV.
Hence, Weigh Station Protocol questions:
- Can any vehicle use the scales?
- They often seem to be closed, does that mean you can't weigh or just that they won't record/report on commercial traffic?
- If they are open, do you just drive up and get in line?
- Does it cost to weigh?
And, finally, do the truckers get pissed at sharing the line with a silly little RV?
Perhaps I'm not the only Newbie who is wondering about this so, thanks in advance,
-Grouchy
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12-15-2017, 10:14 AM
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#2
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Berkshire 390QS
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,489
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Almost all flying I'd or pilots have CAT scales, think it is about $10 to get weight.
__________________
2011: 54 days, 2012: 218 days, 2013: 175 days, 2014: 196 days
2015: 188 days, 2016: 72 days, 2017: 185 days: 2018 182 days
2019: 156 days (2009 Berkshire, 390QS, and toad)
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12-15-2017, 10:23 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Oswego il
Posts: 2,428
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You can use any Cat scale at a truck stop, this will cost you a small fee between $12 and $15. I haven't weighed in awhile so, I do not know what the current fees are.
Or you can use a grain elevator or gravel pit scale if they are not in use. They some times leave them on at night.
Now if you are referring to the DOT highway scales they are for commercial trucks only when they are open. You might be able to run across the scales if they are closed some have done that on this forum.
I myself have always used the Cat scales at truck stops and just pay the fee for use.
__________________
Jim W.
2016 34RL CC; 2008 Ram Mega Cab 2500HD, 6.7L, 68RFE 6 speed, 4X4, Smarty S67, TDR 145K+miles
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12-15-2017, 11:26 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 44
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Thanks for the quick responses!
I know I sound like a dummy but What is a CAT scale and where are they to be found?
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12-15-2017, 11:32 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Virginia
Posts: 9,678
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__________________
2005 Dodge 3500 Cummins
2017 Wildwood Lodge 4092 BFL
1966 Mustang GT
1986 Mustang SVO
Lillie Spoiled Rotten Boxer Mix
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12-15-2017, 11:37 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Albany, GA.
Posts: 1,359
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From googling their website it appears that "CAT Scales" is a company that specializes in accurate truck scales. Their was nothing to indicate that they are in any way connected to "Caterpillar" the heavy equipment company, I wanted to know that one. On their website they have a list of ALL locations where one may find a CAT certified scale. Ironically the one located in my hometown, Albany, Ga. at the PILOT truck stop WILL NOT weigh RV's of any type. I have been there multiple times to talk to someone about this and they have shown me a letter from a manager of PILOT truck stops stating that they are NOT to weigh any RV vehicle, no good reason given. This is not a truck stop on a super highway and IMO does not have so much truck traffic that weighing an RV would interrupt a trucker doing their job.
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12-15-2017, 11:41 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Virginia
Posts: 9,678
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thurman
From googling their website it appears that "CAT Scales" is a company that specializes in accurate truck scales. Their was nothing to indicate that they are in any way connected to "Caterpillar" the heavy equipment company, I wanted to know that one. On their website they have a list of ALL locations where one may find a CAT certified scale. Ironically the one located in my hometown, Albany, Ga. at the PILOT truck stop WILL NOT weigh RV's of any type. I have been there multiple times to talk to someone about this and they have shown me a letter from a manager of PILOT truck stops stating that they are NOT to weigh any RV vehicle, no good reason given. This is not a truck stop on a super highway and IMO does not have so much truck traffic that weighing an RV would interrupt a trucker doing their job.
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That is interesting as Flying J welcomes RVs . I would like to know if it is a Pilot thing or a franchise thing. I know that it not a CAT scale thing
__________________
2005 Dodge 3500 Cummins
2017 Wildwood Lodge 4092 BFL
1966 Mustang GT
1986 Mustang SVO
Lillie Spoiled Rotten Boxer Mix
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12-15-2017, 12:24 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 597
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim34RL
You can use any Cat scale at a truck stop, this will cost you a small fee between $12 and $15. I haven't weighed in awhile so, I do not know what the current fees are.
Or you can use a grain elevator or gravel pit scale if they are not in use. They some times leave them on at night.
Now if you are referring to the DOT highway scales they are for commercial trucks only when they are open. You might be able to run across the scales if they are closed some have done that on this forum.
I myself have always used the Cat scales at truck stops and just pay the fee for use.
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Not to throw you under the RV :-) but the statement about the DOT scales being for commercial trucks only is not correct, it will depend on what state you are in, there is one in northwest Iowa (I29) that has a sign saying all trucks (commercial) and RVs must exit. Now with that being said I have seen many RVs (both MH and TT/5th) pass by when the weigh station is open and have never seen them chase one down. I have used DOT weigh station when they are closed, they generally leave the scales on, I have my better side write down the weights when we go over the scales.
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12-15-2017, 01:26 PM
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#9
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Just as confused as you
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: south central Wisconsin
Posts: 5,108
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thurman
From googling their website it appears that "CAT Scales" is a company that specializes in accurate truck scales. Their was nothing to indicate that they are in any way connected to "Caterpillar" the heavy equipment company, I wanted to know that one. On their website they have a list of ALL locations where one may find a CAT certified scale. Ironically the one located in my hometown, Albany, Ga. at the PILOT truck stop WILL NOT weigh RV's of any type. I have been there multiple times to talk to someone about this and they have shown me a letter from a manager of PILOT truck stops stating that they are NOT to weigh any RV vehicle, no good reason given. This is not a truck stop on a super highway and IMO does not have so much truck traffic that weighing an RV would interrupt a trucker doing their job.
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At a franchise it is left up to the owner/manager as to what they allow to use their scales. Maybe they had the experience of someone driving on too fast and jamming on the brakes. Doing so can cause damage to the load cells or shift the platform(s), causing inconsistent weights and expensive repairs/re-calibration of the scale.
When driving onto a scale you should be going no more than 3 to 5 mph.
__________________
Richard & Jill
2014 Flagstaff 832IKBS Classic Super Lite
2018 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Z71 4WD All Star Edition
Camping since 1989, Seasonal since 2000.
Car Shredder Op/Tech, Scrap Metal Recycling - retired
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12-15-2017, 01:44 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrapper
At a franchise it is left up to the owner/manager as to what they allow to use their scales. Maybe they had the experience of someone driving on too fast and jamming on the brakes. Doing so can cause damage to the load cells or shift the platform(s), causing inconsistent weights and expensive repairs/re-calibration of the scale.
When driving onto a scale you should be going no more than 3 to 5 mph.
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You can use the scale without ever going inside if you have their phone app:
https://weighmytruck.com/
Don't know how the franchisee can get around that; unless they run out and tell you to get the #@%& off the scale.
__________________
1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)
2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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12-15-2017, 02:42 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Middle Ga
Posts: 426
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thurman
From googling their website it appears that "CAT Scales" is a company that specializes in accurate truck scales. Their was nothing to indicate that they are in any way connected to "Caterpillar" the heavy equipment company, I wanted to know that one. On their website they have a list of ALL locations where one may find a CAT certified scale. Ironically the one located in my hometown, Albany, Ga. at the PILOT truck stop WILL NOT weigh RV's of any type. I have been there multiple times to talk to someone about this and they have shown me a letter from a manager of PILOT truck stops stating that they are NOT to weigh any RV vehicle, no good reason given. This is not a truck stop on a super highway and IMO does not have so much truck traffic that weighing an RV would interrupt a trucker doing their job.
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Must be a specific issue with that Pilot, the local Pilot here in Warner Robins GA has no problems with RV's using their CAT scales.
Mike
__________________
TV = 2017 Ram 3500 (aka FRAM)
5er = SOB (2019 Grand Design Reflection 367BHS)
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12-15-2017, 03:06 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Albany, GA.
Posts: 1,359
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The letter they show you is from the "manager" and it has a terribly written signature. I'll stick my neck out and say it's a local PILOT manager thingy.
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12-15-2017, 03:19 PM
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#13
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,051
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thurman
From googling their website it appears that "CAT Scales" is a company that specializes in accurate truck scales. Their was nothing to indicate that they are in any way connected to "Caterpillar" the heavy equipment company, I wanted to know that one. On their website they have a list of ALL locations where one may find a CAT certified scale. Ironically the one located in my hometown, Albany, Ga. at the PILOT truck stop WILL NOT weigh RV's of any type. I have been there multiple times to talk to someone about this and they have shown me a letter from a manager of PILOT truck stops stating that they are NOT to weigh any RV vehicle, no good reason given. This is not a truck stop on a super highway and IMO does not have so much truck traffic that weighing an RV would interrupt a trucker doing their job.
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CAT scales stands for Certified Automated Truck scales.
It has nothing to do with Caterpillar.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
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12-15-2017, 04:05 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Alberta - East of the Rockies, West of the Rest
Posts: 1,785
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I personally avoid Pilot/Flying J like the plaque, a) because of pricing and b) at one time an attendant stole my CC number.
I frequently use DOT scales after hours or grain elevator scales, but they are pretty busy at times and it is always good practice to ask beforehand and a box of donuts goes a long way.
Do not use DOT scales during business hours unless you're being asked to.
__________________
2018 RAM 5500 Laramie CC
Sold: Riverstone Legacy 38RE, 960 Watt Solar, 6x6 Volt AGM Battery Bank, Freedom SW 3012 Inv/Charger
Ordered: 2021....
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12-15-2017, 04:17 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 1,645
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__________________
2019 Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS
2015 T12RBST Flagstaff Hardside
Disclaimer: The actual value of my "Two Cents" of advice varies just like a bitcoin.
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12-15-2017, 04:27 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Alberta - East of the Rockies, West of the Rest
Posts: 1,785
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluepill
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I knew it
__________________
2018 RAM 5500 Laramie CC
Sold: Riverstone Legacy 38RE, 960 Watt Solar, 6x6 Volt AGM Battery Bank, Freedom SW 3012 Inv/Charger
Ordered: 2021....
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12-15-2017, 05:26 PM
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#17
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Citrus County, Fl.
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hernando, Fl
Posts: 2,368
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Our local landfill will weigh, at least on my Class C, front axle then both axles with no charge as long as you don't need it certified. There is no printout given, they just write it on a piece of paper. A certified print out can be had for a small fee
__________________
2016 Forester 3011DS
2017 Toyota Corolla SE toad
PREVIOUS: 2015 Flagstaff 832IKBS
99 Terry 31G
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12-16-2017, 12:40 PM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 44
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Thanks to everyone for all the info, this has been quite an education!
-Grouchy
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12-17-2017, 01:26 AM
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#19
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 57
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Some truck gas stops have certified CAT scales anyone can use (for a small fee). We weighed our 5th wheel & dually.
__________________
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12-17-2017, 04:26 AM
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#20
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 8
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There is an App now called Weigh My Truck it is very convenient. It allows you to set up an account and there is a find a scale section to locate a CAT scale in your area. They are usually located in the Pilots, Flying J or other truck stop locations.
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