DOT Truck stops

[Deraldjr]

I pull a fifth wheel 39 foot with a F 450 DRW. My rig is 54 feet total in length and about 26,000 lbs total GRVW. The truck is used for my occupation and Rving. It does have lettering to identify my Co and DOT number on it. When I am pulling the RV we are not engaged in commerce.
Should I stop at the DOT check points?
Thanks in advance for your help.

[christopherglen]

If it is a 450/4500 or larger, and NOT registered at an RV, you should stop. You are classified as a medium duty truck - not a pickup. If there are DOT numbers on the side - they are there for a reason, and it is not so you can bypass a scale.

[Tom_Diane]

I suppose it depends on the state law. I wouldn't worry about it if the truck is not marked or numbered. If you are unsure, why not go through the first one you find in the state your in and get weighed, then park it and walk in and ask them if it is necessary. I wouldn't even let on that you use it for your company vehicle. Thru the years I drove a big truck, I cant say as I ever saw a camper in line with me, not even a Class "A" MH. I dis see them go on by on the hwy.

[hddecker]

dpgllg wrote:
I have a very good friend that is a retired Captain of the PA State Police. When I first got my RV I asked him this very same question. In PA since everything is for personal use I do not need to stop. If I had a company name, (I have a little side business for model trains) then that COULD make it commerical. When I asked about other states he advised that I research the states I travel through just to be safe. His last bit of advice was You are much better getting waved through a checkpoint then having them chase you down and stop you!

Yep stop and let them tell you to carry on.

[dodge_guy]

What type of truck is this?
Is the DOT number permanently attached or is it on a magnetic sign? maybe have a magnetic sign made in the color of the truck to cover up the lettering or remove the magnetic sign when you are private?

[wny_pat1]

wintersun wrote:
Varies by state as these are not federally operated weigh stations. In California they do not want 5-wheelers at the scales whereas in Utah every vehicle and trailer combination with a gross combined weight over 10,000 lbs. is supposed to get weighed according to the highway signs. I have not stopped so cannot say for sure what they are doing in Utah and I avoid the major highways as much as possible in any case.

They may be state employees, but they are federally trained and authorized to write tickets under the federal laws. But I think we are talking about DOT truck checks and not the scales.

[wintersun]

Varies by state as these are not federally operated weigh stations. In California they do not want 5-wheelers at the scales whereas in Utah every vehicle and trailer combination with a gross combined weight over 10,000 lbs. is supposed to get weighed according to the highway signs. I have not stopped so cannot say for sure what they are doing in Utah and I avoid the major highways as much as possible in any case.

[garry_owen]

gbopp wrote:

dpgllg wrote:
You are much better getting waved through a checkpoint then having them chase you down and stop you!

Very good advice.

second that

[rockportrocket]

I also have my company name, DOT number and phone no on the side of my truck. I don't stop.

[Devoredude]

With the DOT number on your truck, you need to stop in most states.

[WyoTraveler]

JMHO, but I would call DOT in your home state and surrounding states and ask them. Of course if you didn't stop and got cited you could always tell the judge you got the info on the GS forum.:B

[chevor]

You want to carry the camper registration with you proving the trailer is yours.

[Tvov]

If and/or when you find paperwork spelling out that you don't have to stop, you might want to carry a copy in the glove compartment.

[gbopp]

dpgllg wrote:
You are much better getting waved through a checkpoint then having them chase you down and stop you!

Very good advice.

[ependydad]

I'd stop if it were me- solely based on having the DOT numbering on the truck. As you drive past, there's no way for them to know that you're not engaged in commerce.