Commercial versus private weights requirements

I think there is a lot of variation between the states so it really depends on where you live. I'd start with your state DOT.

This topic comes up on the forums occasionally. Apart from the signs in your state on the interstate that say "No Pickups" just prior to the weigh stations you might go to the Caltrans (California Department of Transportation) webpages and look the information up for yourself. I would not take the salesman's word as especially accurate.

Generally only commercial vehicles have to stop.
Motorhome and RVs do not.

Only for commercial vehicles used to haul or tow for business purposes. A privately owned truck, even with commercial tags, never ever needs to stop.

Tiger02 wrote:
Only for commercial vehicles used to haul or tow for business purposes. A privately owned truck, even with commercial tags, never ever needs to stop.

X2, the only thing is the sticker shock for Ca lic fees. 2001 F250 is $286 this year. I double tow to Colorado every year for the last 10 years and no state I go thru requires a RV setup to go thru the scales.

Technically, there is a difference in CA based on the truck GVWR weight which makes the salesman correct (hard to believe isn't it?).

CA laws have not kept up with technology. A "Pickup" is defined as having an open bed, where the truck itself weighs less than 8K and the GVWR is below 11.5K. I would contend none of the big three trucks weigh less than 8K. And a F350/3500 dually is way over the GVWR. So those vehicles supposedly should stop at all the weigh station.

The truth is yu don't have to stop, even with a MDT or HDT, if it is a private tow vehicle and towing an RV. Similarly, what we call pickups are also exempt if towing an RV. According to the law you must stop if you are not towing an RV with your pickup. But if you do, the weigh master, along with a line of real truckers, will blow a gasket. They don't have time to deal with the hundreds of thousand pickups going past each day.

As long as you don't have commercial signage all over the outside of the truck, you are fine not stopping when not towing.

Now CA did introduce new weight stickers which you are supposed to buy when your GVWR is over 11.5K. It is strictly a revenue generating idea. Once again enforcement on F350/3500/F450 (duallys) etc. vehicles is nil.

The important thing is to buy the truck you need and don't fret the bureaucratic B.S.

Above post is spot on. It is somewhere between difficult and impossible to understand and abide by all the towing/cdl/weight laws in this state. Fortunently I have heard of very little enforcement. I have towed over my c class license rating and haven't registered my vehicle commercial for 10+ yrs. That is towing heavy equipment several times a week.

For hire, then I'd say yes. Private, no. IMO

Carl n Susan wrote:
Technically, there is a difference in CA based on the truck GVWR weight which makes the salesman correct (hard to believe isn't it?).

CA laws have not kept up with technology. A "Pickup" is defined as having an open bed, where the truck itself weighs less than 8K and the GVWR is below 11.5K. I would contend none of the big three trucks weigh less than 8K. And a F350/3500 dually is way over the GVWR. So those vehicles supposedly should stop at all the weigh station.

The truth is yu don't have to stop, even with a MDT or HDT, if it is a private tow vehicle and towing an RV. Similarly, what we call pickups are also exempt if towing an RV. According to the law you must stop if you are not towing an RV with your pickup. But if you do, the weigh master, along with a line of real truckers, will blow a gasket. They don't have time to deal with the hundreds of thousand pickups going past each day.

As long as you don't have commercial signage all over the outside of the truck, you are fine not stopping when not towing.

Now CA did introduce new weight stickers which you are supposed to buy when your GVWR is over 11.5K. It is strictly a revenue generating idea. Once again enforcement on F350/3500/F450 (duallys) etc. vehicles is nil.

The important thing is to buy the truck you need and don't fret the bureaucratic B.S.

Heading to CA last week, we passed 2 semis for a motorcycle performance exhaust company. One truck was their "vendor" truck; the other was their "private / not for hire" race truck. The "vendor" truck stopped at scales both in AZ and in CA, while the "private" truck slowed down and waited for the other guy to catch up. :-)

Lyle

2012 Ram registration this year... $596