weight police?

Wadcutter wrote:
I really was a weight police. I was one of the first certified motor carrier safety officers in the state of IL. I weighed a lot of trucks in my career. I was in command of the largest fine producing fixed scale in the state and an active portable scales detail. I also taught truck and weight laws. I was recognized by the state and federal courts as an expert witness in truck weights and laws. I didn't get my knowledge sitting around a campfire talking to some guy in a flannel shirt who thinks he knows all there is to know about everything.
First, it doesn't matter whether commercial or non-commercial. Weight laws apply to both. Weight laws also apply to farm vehicles altho there may be variances during certain times of the year.
Think about it. Weight laws were passed due to road surface damage. Does a 100,000 commercial vehicle do the same damage as a 100,000 non-commercial vehicle?
Now as far as someone being pulled over for overweight with the RV. Let's get real people. Do you really think your RV is anywhere near the upper limits of the weight restrictions? The general max weight for a single axle is 20,000 lbs. Do you think even your F-350/3500 has 20,000 on a single axle? Seriously?
The upper weight limit for tandem axle is generally 34,000 lbs. Do you think your 5er axles are anywhere near 34,000 lbs?
The general max weight is 80,000 lbs. Do you really think your pickup and 5er weighs anywhere near 80,000 lbs?
Just think about it. No way is anyone pulling a 5er anywhere near those max limits. With a big heavy 5er you might be in the 25,000 range for total weight.
For states that sell license plates by weight limits it's possible you could be over for your state depending on what plate limit you've purchased. That's not the same as being overweight. That's being over registered weight. All that means is you didn't pay enough tax (registration fee) to haul the weight you are hauling.

Thanks for this post Wadcutter,
I hope this clears this subject up once and for all. I just don't understand why everyone makes something so easy, so hard. :)