State Scales

Jeesh folks, too much worrying. The scales are for commercial vehicles. If you're driving/pulling your RV just keep on trucking, you're not a commercial vehicle. I have a lot more things to worry about than that. Of course the land of fruits and nuts has their own rules but I'm not going thru that state anyway.

Mike_LA wrote:
Weigh Stations by State.

IMO, you have to check each state. This link has MD wrong from what I've emailed with MD directly.

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
In CA and AZ, passenger cars, rv's of any kind, vans and pickups, do not stop at scales. Only commercial trucks stop at scales. In CA, that means only commercial trucks that are displaying a CA CRV registered weight sticker on the side of the truck must stop. All others do not stop.

Should have replied to your post (first), "SoCalDesertRider".

The info posted above is incorrect in re: pickups and vans.
Correct in re: autos and housecars (motor homes).

First of all - here's the official CALIFORNIA DOT source:

CA - "WHO MUST STOP AT SCALES"

See the various CVC sections - and scroll down to CVC sec. 471.

"A pickup truck is a motor truck with a manufacturer's gross weight vehicle rating of less than 11,500 pounds, and unladen weight of less than 8,001 pounds and which is equipped with an open box-type bed not exceeding 9 feet in length.

Pickup truck does not include a motor vehicle otherwise meeting the above definition, that is equipped with a bed-mounted storage compartment unit commonly called a utility body."

Now - scroll past that to -

DO THESE VEHICLES HAVE TO STOP AT SCALES?

Pickup - Depends on GVWR.

GVWR under 11,500 lbs - NO.
GVWR 11,500 lbs or more - YES.

Pickup with cab/crew cab with box type bed - YES.

Pickup with camper shell - NO.

Cargo van - It depends on the load and use. Technically, they are a motor truck according to CVC sec. 410 and, therefore, required to stop at weigh stations.

(Then see "discussion" which also adds "flat bed" along with "utility body")


.

Crazy Ray wrote:
SIMPLE answer YES

Wrong answer!

Correct answer (for scales / weigh stations) is......"MAYBE"

Depends on the state and sign/s posted.

Also depends on whether your truck is licensed in the state where you are traveling. (See CA example below).

*If* sign says "NO PICKUPS" = don't stop.

*If* sign says "ALL TRUCKS" = another "maybe".

Example: CA - all "trucks" have commercial plates, from the smallest import, combo SUVs like a Chevy Avalanche, right on up.
Doesn't matter if you only "haul" a bag of your groceries in the bed.
No "private truck" or "non-commercial" plates/registration.

Previously - all of those "pickups" were exempt from scales.
Now there are (upper) weight limits req'd to stop, as well as *any* pickup with a service or stake bed must stop.

However, even for CA residents - most likely the enforcement folks wouldn't bother with a *truck* towing a travel trailer or 5th wheel.

Bottom line: Read the sign!
Know the requirements in *your* state (where your vehicle is registered).
Apply them in all other states - and - don't stop, LOL!

:B

~

Only been stopped by DOT once, they wanted to check for the dye in my fuel tank.
They were pulling over anything that ran on diesel.

Jim-Linda wrote:
With respect and to clarify: For Us RV's This is from Florida Statues: "Florida Statute makes it unlawful for the driver of any vehicle, other than those exempted by the statute, to pass any official agricultural inspection station without first stopping and submitting the vehicle for inspection.

Ag inspection is not the same as weight inspection. No stopping unless the signs specifically apply to you.

Jim

I am well aware of that. I was responding to the information in the post I quoted, where it was stated:"Don't confuse weigh scales with inspection sites....those you do have to go thru, just follow ALL the traffic signs."

You DO NOT have to go through inspection stations in most cases.

Sorry, I must have caused confusion rather than providing clarity.

Our local scale house here in SW ND leaves the scale display on, and it can be seen from outside. You do need to get out, and look inside the window though. You will not get a ticket though, just the display.

The local coop has an outside scale they use to weigh fertilizer trucks and stuff. They also leave the display on, and can read thru the window.

Passin' Through wrote:

rhagfo wrote:
Not required for RV is Oregon, but the displays are always on, so you can stop when they are closed and get your weights.

I have a dummy's question for you. How does one get their weights when the weigh station is closed? Is there a display somewhere that you can see? The only time I have had my rig weighed was at a CAT scale at a truck stop. Cost $10.

Display is on the same post as the signal light for the driver about 60' from the scale house, you don't even need to get out to see.

Passin' Through wrote:

rhagfo wrote:
Not required for RV is Oregon, but the displays are always on, so you can stop when they are closed and get your weights.

I have a dummy's question for you. How does one get their weights when the weigh station is closed? Is there a display somewhere that you can see? The only time I have had my rig weighed was at a CAT scale at a truck stop. Cost $10.

You won't get any weigh ticket but the weight will be displayed.
Some displays are right at the scales...some are inside the weigh building and you can see it (if they leave the curtains open)