Cargo Vans & Weigh Stations

[Sarkus]

This may be a stupid question, but I am a newbie after all.

Planning on signing on with a B Unit, E 350 Cargo Van, GVWR 9400 lbs.

I'm hearing that cargo vans have to go through the weigh stations in some states. I will be running primarily in the midwest (Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana), although may run anywhere in the contiguous 48 states.

Anyone know which states require cargo vans to go through the scales?

And is there a resource, (website, book, anything), that would have such information?

Thanks,

Sarkus

 

[redytrk]

As far as I know KY is the only state with the requirment that GVW of less than10,000 go over the scales. this was done mainly to keep a eye on those horse trailers.I dont belive they are enforce it for vans though,as I see vans passing by every day.

 

[Sarkus]

Thanks redtryk, I've heard that Alabama requires it, too.

Then I've also heard if the sign says "Commercial Vehicles" then a cargo van has to go. But, if it says "Trucks" then it doesn't apply to cargo vans.

Sarkus

 

[Weave]

The way I thought is was is that any vehicle under 10k lbs is not classified as a commercial vehicle or a truck, and does not have to weigh. What this country needs for the trucking industry is uniform commercial vehicle and traffic laws for all states to eliminate the confusion, but that would make too much sense, right:9 It would just put too many state authorites out of business:7
-Weave-

 

[FlameMerc]

I drove a E-350 Cargo van for a year and a half. I found that the only states that require you to go through the weigh stations are the ones that say All commercial Vehicles GVWR has nothing to do with it. Good Luck out there. Butch

 

[Weave]

But, from my gathering of the rules, the federal DOT only classes vehicles over 10k lbs as commercial vehicles in the rulebook. It's these funny state laws you have to watch out for, which change almost day to day so the states can get some bucks out of you for breaking their specific laws which vary from the federal ones. One country- One set of laws for CMV's! Understand each state can bust you for breaking either the federal DOT laws or the ones in their specific state that are unique to them.
-Weave-