Do rv's with cargo trailers have to stop at Ag. stations?

[paulgreenwood1]

I have read everyone saying that rv's alone do not have to stop at agricultural stations. I never do, nor at weigh stations. I have just purchased a cargo trailer, however, and I can't find an answer. The Florida ag site says rv's are exempt, but doesn't say anything about rv's towing cargo trailers. They say trailers that produce or transport, or could, ag products,need to stop. In Florida, pickups are supposedly required to stop if the bed is covered. That would suggest to me that I am required to stop, even though law enforcement may do nothing if I blow by. I am plannig a trip in a few weeks from Florida, up to Ohio, over to Massachusetts, then back to Florida. I guess when in doubt, pull in. Just wondering if anyone has ever gotten in trouble for not stopping at any agricultural station in an rv towing a cargo trailer. Also, my total weight, with trailer, will be about 11,500 lbs. Most weigh stations that I pass say over 10,000 lbs must stop. Any thoughts?

[colliehauler]

I had to stop. I was pulling a small U-Haul trailer into California. Even though it was packed with my nieces furniture they made me unload about a third of the trailer. That was a few years ago.

I understand about wanting to protect the agriculture. But when they seen it was just furniture there was no need in having to unload part of the trailer.

How many cargo containers arrive from China and go merrily on there way?

[carringb]

CA is a definite yes! However you should use the "auto" lane and not the commercial truck lane (if they split.... smaller stations all use one line).

[dodge_guy]

I've never run across anything like that! Never even heard of it. I wouldn't stop. I'm not hauling produce or livestock. I'm just out for a vacation. And yes I've been through Florida.

[paulgreenwood1]

I called the Florida Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement this morning. I asked them if an rv, towing a cargo trailer, needs to stop at AG stations. The officer read me off a list of vehicles that need to stop. RV's were on the no stop list and "Private Passenger Vehicles with a Boat Carrier or Trailer in Tow" was on the stop list. When I asked the officer if that meant I had to stop or no, he said, "All I can do is read you the list". That tells me that he is not willing to commit to saying, "no, you don't have to stop". I think an officer having a bad day might possibly pull me over for not stopping at the station. Probably better to go through the station and let them wave me by than risk a ticket. I might be wasting their time, but if they won't give me a straight answer, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[Murphsmom]

California even requires autos to stop at the Ag stations. Everyone goes through. Sometimes they just wave you on, and sometimes they stop you and ask if you are carrying produce, etc. and..sometimes they want to have a look-see.

It used to be that you could avoid the one at Truckee by going through town. They moved the station past the last on ramp so there is no longer a way to avoid it.

[The_Texan]

As a Law Enforcement Officer for 28½ years, all I will say is, there is a lot of BAD information posted in this thread, about both scales and ag inspections.

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

California requires RV's to stop at the AG Stations? I thought only commercial vehicles had to stop? No state requires non commercial vehicles to stop at a weight station but the AG stations I have seen have always been a separate facility from the weigh stations.

If the vehicle you are driving does not require USDOT numbers you do not need to stop at any weigh stations. I do know Florida does not require RV's to stop at the AG stations. Or at least I had never been pulled over when I drove by it in Florida.

Don

[Old-Biscuit]

Big difference between a 'Weigh Station----SCALES' and an 'AG Station'

Non-Commercial vehicles do NOT have to stop/go thru weigh stations

All the 'AG Stations' we encountered during our 7 yrs of FT travel
ALL Vehicles were directed thru an AG Station.......just like Border Patrol Inspection Stations

[ACZL]

Weigh stations are primarily for semis. Read = $$$$. They won't bother RVer's ( unless in CA where that's an entirely different state). Do you ever see a 40'-45' diesel pusher towing a enclosed trailer in a weigh station?

[monkey44]

Hmmm - might be a state to state thing, but we've been all over the country, including CA towing a cargo trailer with furniture (two moves) and some times with motorcycles.

We've never stopped at a weigh station, and we the few times we stopped entering CA, they waved us thru, same with Florida, and never checked anything ...

[W5CI]

I would not stop unless all vehicles are required to stop like in California

[n7bsn]

I dono about Florida, but Calf failure to stop will get you stopped & ticketed.