Have you ever pulled into a weigh station?
Have you ever pulled into a weigh station to be weighed? We were having a discussion elsewhere on weigh station requirements. One that stood out to me was Minnesota's requirements, under the AAA p...
Forum Discussion
The below is not directly related to stopping at weight stations, but does inform my thoughts on such:
When I purchased the 3500 Duramax last year I was concerned about traveling on I35E through St. Paul. This stretch is posted NO trucks over 9000lb GVW. I don't recall exactly, but believe my truck is rated at 11,500lb. I made several calls to MN DOT and received conflicting viewpoints. Ultimately I talked with a Lt. who was referred to as "the authority."
He told me that the weight restriction was intended to keep commercial traffic off of this section because of neighborhood protests etc when it was constructed ~40yrs ago. He also said most officers aren't familiar with weight code issues and don't focus on that enforcement. He told me that as long as the actual vehicle weight while driving on the road was <9000lb (it's typically ~8K) I would be OK. But if I had a large load, or a trailer such that my total weight was >9000lb I shouldn't be on that stretch of freeway.
I recognize this is a more 'liberal' interpretation, but also believe that it's really what's intended and so am comfortable behaving accordingly. I took a picture of my notes from the phone call and have in my iPhone should I ever be stopped. With that said, I recognize I could run across an officer that felt differently and am willing to deal with that situation should it arise.
Back to the original issue here: I believe common sense applies as it does to the I35E weight restriction. I don't think that the highway enforcement officers want to be spending their time on RVers and that is not their intent. I recognize that this may be a more liberal position than what a strict interpretation might suggest. When pulling my 5er I drive 64mph-65mph and very defensively/deferentially. I don't think officers want to spend their time with me. With that said, I recognize it's a 'risk' I'm taking and may someday have that opinion changed by an officer on the road. I'm past the point I even think about it when passing weigh stations.
YMMV
When I purchased the 3500 Duramax last year I was concerned about traveling on I35E through St. Paul. This stretch is posted NO trucks over 9000lb GVW. I don't recall exactly, but believe my truck is rated at 11,500lb. I made several calls to MN DOT and received conflicting viewpoints. Ultimately I talked with a Lt. who was referred to as "the authority."
He told me that the weight restriction was intended to keep commercial traffic off of this section because of neighborhood protests etc when it was constructed ~40yrs ago. He also said most officers aren't familiar with weight code issues and don't focus on that enforcement. He told me that as long as the actual vehicle weight while driving on the road was <9000lb (it's typically ~8K) I would be OK. But if I had a large load, or a trailer such that my total weight was >9000lb I shouldn't be on that stretch of freeway.
I recognize this is a more 'liberal' interpretation, but also believe that it's really what's intended and so am comfortable behaving accordingly. I took a picture of my notes from the phone call and have in my iPhone should I ever be stopped. With that said, I recognize I could run across an officer that felt differently and am willing to deal with that situation should it arise.
Back to the original issue here: I believe common sense applies as it does to the I35E weight restriction. I don't think that the highway enforcement officers want to be spending their time on RVers and that is not their intent. I recognize that this may be a more liberal position than what a strict interpretation might suggest. When pulling my 5er I drive 64mph-65mph and very defensively/deferentially. I don't think officers want to spend their time with me. With that said, I recognize it's a 'risk' I'm taking and may someday have that opinion changed by an officer on the road. I'm past the point I even think about it when passing weigh stations.
YMMV
