weight police

Charles Firth · 03-15-2015, 07:20 PM

I hope to do quite a bit of camping this year, mostly the east coast. Still new to this game, I have a 2012 f250 power stroke and tow a Windjammer at about 7500lbs. The TV handles the TT just fine. I hear a lot about the weight police, are some states worse than others ? Do some states target campers ? My rig is not too large for my TV, so I shouldn't attract much attention. How do they pick their targets ? and info would be helpful. I see some f150's towing tt much larger than mine. Thanks for any advice.

vinmaker · 03-15-2015, 07:28 PM

Others will be chiming in but I understand that the weight stations apply to commercial haulers and not private campers. There might be one or two odd ball states out there that weight everyone.

Vin.

Crusadernoob · 03-15-2015, 07:32 PM

We have been all over the southeast and it is a personal vehicle, never been chased down and brought back to a scale house.

4mula1fan · 03-15-2015, 07:34 PM

The weight police are members on this forum and love a chance to bust your chops...

wbdavey · 03-15-2015, 07:39 PM

Most of the "weight police" are posters on forums such as this that try to encourage people to understand and tow within the capacities of their vehicles. When a newbie (usually) asks : the salesman said my F150 could tow this 16,000 pound 5th wheel, is this OK? The "weight police" on the forum will chime in with all the numbers and why the answer is no. In your case, it sounds like you've got a good combination of truck and trailer

Blackhat6mike · 03-15-2015, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinmaker

Others will be chiming in but I understand that the weight stations apply to commercial haulers and not private campers. There might be one or two odd ball states out there that weight everyone.

Vin.

X2 Never seen an RV in a weigh station, only commercial vehicles or agricultural inspection.

Charles Firth · 03-15-2015, 07:45 PM

Thanks, that's kinda of what I thought. I am well within limits and should not attract attention. Our scales in Va are for commercial, but I have seen troopers with portable scales, but I think they are targeting 18 wheelers, some I see are just junk especially the logging trucks and trailers.

dwaynerz · 03-15-2015, 07:59 PM

It may be different if your tv is registered as a commercial vehicle. If not, drive on by. I have found from my otr driving days that you will just be called an idiot as he smiles and waves/green lights you through.

grayfox · 03-15-2015, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4mula1fan

The weight police are members on this forum and love a chance to bust your chops...

X-2

Ryno22980 · 03-15-2015, 08:25 PM

I'm guessing the reason commercial rigs are targeted for weights is that states try to preserve the road surfaces, it's not as much about safety of the other motorists. 18 wheelers that are overweight will destroy the asphalt. RVers never approach a weight that brings this into concern. Just my theory based on talking with my step-father who has been a Operating Engineer paving roads for the past 35 years.

dwaynerz · 03-15-2015, 08:42 PM

It isn't so much about preserving road surfaces. Roads are built to x standards, and by low bidder. If said contractor bid too low they will find ways to cut corners if they can. Weigh stations are another way to grab money while being disguised as safety enforcement. Lol... I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

dustman_stx · 03-16-2015, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbdavey

Most of the "weight police" are posters on forums such as this that try to encourage people to understand and tow within the capacities of their vehicles. When a newbie (usually) asks : the salesman said my F150 could tow this 16,000 pound 5th wheel, is this OK? The "weight police" on the forum will chime in with all the numbers and why the answer is no. In your case, it sounds like you've got a good combination of truck and trailer

This is a much more extreme example than I've ever seen anyone ask, though. Typically it is something like- can I pull my 6500 pound TT with my F150. The problem I have with the weight police, and the door jamb sticker in general, is that neither take into account any of the other myriad of variables in the towing equation. Now that we have the SAE J2807 standard in effect, we know how much truck we need to tow at the Davis Dam. Still has ZERO to do with any particular individuals needs which VARY depending upon speed, distance, climate, elevation, road conditions, .......... It will give an accurate comparison between trucks, but that's about it, IMHO.

schrederman · 03-16-2015, 11:03 AM

While some really criticize the "weight police" posters here on this and other forums... I salute them. Thanks for being concerned for my safety and the safety of others. I've learned more from their posts than from those that complain about them.... YMMV....

Charles Firth · 03-16-2015, 05:33 PM

I really think the postings by the "weight police " are great. They are very informative and helpful. I did things bas ackwards I purchased a travel trailer, and discovered the forum much later. Although I feel I made a good choice, reading the forum first would have been helpful. Since then I have been taught a lot by reading forums. And I did hear my salesman say " Your gas f250 can tow anything on the lot " maybe so but not safely. Now I own a F250 powerstroke, and I CAN almost tow anything on the lot. Once again thanks a lot for the responses, and my occasional not so smart questions. They ought to make the forum required reading for first timers.

Many Thanks

Ford Idaho · 03-16-2015, 05:43 PM

Have been watching this thread and are now headed for a location near you.

Charles Firth · 03-16-2015, 05:58 PM

Now that's funny .

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