Scaling
- Thread starter Mrnewbie
- Start date
Looks like VA is one of them.
Also, when you go in and out of Florida, pull into those agricultural inspection stations. I didn't until I was pulled over and told that I needed to. Most of the times they wave you through, but sometimes they ask what you carry.
Also, when you go in and out of Florida, pull into those agricultural inspection stations. I didn't until I was pulled over and told that I needed to. Most of the times they wave you through, but sometimes they ask what you carry.
AMonger
Veteran Expediter
KY, officially, though I never go in and never have a problem there.
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You know the problem with bad cops? They make the other 5% look bad.
Wisconsin signs state all trucks over 4 tons must weigh. I have never stopped unless placarded. Until about 5 years ago Iowa had an 8,000 lbs. threshold, it is now 10,000 lbs. and again, I never stopped unless placarded. Michigan, who knows for sure. I never stop.
Every morning I practice my moron expression. I really don't practice it every morning because it just comes naturally. But I do like to look at myself at least once a week in the mirror. If I ever get stopped for running a scale I'll put on my moron face. It pays to be prepared.
Every morning I practice my moron expression. I really don't practice it every morning because it just comes naturally. But I do like to look at myself at least once a week in the mirror. If I ever get stopped for running a scale I'll put on my moron face. It pays to be prepared.
Each time we go through Nebraska, they flash a sign at us to pull across the scales. They have a sign by the right lane that flashes truck must enter scale. No body else seams to want us. I guess if they do, they will come chase us down.
I just got back from a trip, never pulled across a single scale and never stopped. WV, VA, NC, TN and KY all seem to want all trucks and commercial vehicles to scale, but I never see any vans on the scales. It's always the obviously over 10,000 vehicles scaling.
I have a question. What do I need to know about if I do pull onto one of these scales? What can I reasonably expect?
I have a G2500, and let's say I have a thousand pounds of freight on board. It's well within the capacity of this van and in no way would it be overweight, so what, if anything else, do I need to be concerned about?
I have a question. What do I need to know about if I do pull onto one of these scales? What can I reasonably expect?
I have a G2500, and let's say I have a thousand pounds of freight on board. It's well within the capacity of this van and in no way would it be overweight, so what, if anything else, do I need to be concerned about?
You shouldn't need to be concerned about anything, but as Moot said: who knows?
Roll the windows down & quiet the radio so you can hear any instructions, and watch the signs and/or lights.
If the LEO should ask for anything, you just provide whatever it is very politely and you'll be out of there in a flash.
Roll the windows down & quiet the radio so you can hear any instructions, and watch the signs and/or lights.
If the LEO should ask for anything, you just provide whatever it is very politely and you'll be out of there in a flash.
chefdennis
Veteran Expediter
I have pulled on to 2 scales in the last 5 yrs....both times the 2 different guys told me the exact same words..."get off my scale"....
pearlpro
Expert Expediter
Ive been scaled Once in the last couple months, the rest of the 999 times its been Greenlite Go....Ive seen more closed then open, and when they are open its a roll across and greenlite Go, Dont ever be rude to these folks though, they can make your day go from Bad, to Worse pretty darn quick. Ive had one Major Inspection in ten years of driving, very polite officer, very thorough, we were in compliance and actually recieved a 50 Dollar gift card from our carrier for passing with no Infractions....
bubblehead
Veteran Expediter
Pulled into one in New Mexico late night. Outside lights on but dark in the building...guy came out from side of the building and ordered me out of the truck. Not convinced he was a real cop, I just drove away and called 911. Apparently he was a fake. I never heard back from DOT about running their scale.
What states are these scales located in that require you to weigh?
I'm thinking pearlpro is a straight truck driver?
I live in Illinois, and here the requirement is that vehicles weighing 16,000 or more must weigh. By the time I get my G2500 that heavy, the scales would be the least of my troubles.
There is no standardization between the states on this. I've seen it as low as 6,000, some states say "All trucks", after that it varies quite a bit from one state to the next. It would help if there was a national standard to go by, then you would know before starting your trip if you would have to scale along your route.
There is no standardization between the states on this. I've seen it as low as 6,000, some states say "All trucks", after that it varies quite a bit from one state to the next. It would help if there was a national standard to go by, then you would know before starting your trip if you would have to scale along your route.
Mj: even a national standard won't tell you whether the scales are open.
I think you're giving scales too much importance - they're not a big deal, even for those of us who pull in every time they're open. And don't forget that MC Enforcement has roving agents, too - you can be pulled over for inspection anytime, anywhere, and I have been several times over the years. If your vehicle & paperwork are in good order, it's just a minor inconvenience that goes with the territory.
A carrier who penalizes you for the delay, though - that'd be a real problem for me.
I think you're giving scales too much importance - they're not a big deal, even for those of us who pull in every time they're open. And don't forget that MC Enforcement has roving agents, too - you can be pulled over for inspection anytime, anywhere, and I have been several times over the years. If your vehicle & paperwork are in good order, it's just a minor inconvenience that goes with the territory.
A carrier who penalizes you for the delay, though - that'd be a real problem for me.
I've always said..Interstates should be federal rules only..federal agents at scale house, uniform rules across the country.....BUT get off the interstate now it should be state rules as well...
greg334
Veteran Expediter
There's that Canadian mentality showing ... or is it that pickle mentality?
I think if the feds are going to police the roads, then they should make all vehicles used for commercial purposes regulated the same exact way.
No national standard from the feds, let the states decide based on their needs.
How do ya figure...Interstate were created by and funded by the federal government...were they not?...a national standard should apply...state roads, state standards
greg334
Veteran Expediter
No the interstate was funded by tax payers who live in states. ALL the money derived for road funding comes from the people, and the rights that the feds have come from the states which get them from the people.
I think you have to understand how the interstate commerce clause works and why it is important that we understand what limitations are placed on the feds. If we take in consideration that the clause was to prevent exactly what is happening in California, and not about a national road system, then we can fix some of these other issues, like the FMCSA being involved with safety, logging and phone calls.
I think you have to understand how the interstate commerce clause works and why it is important that we understand what limitations are placed on the feds. If we take in consideration that the clause was to prevent exactly what is happening in California, and not about a national road system, then we can fix some of these other issues, like the FMCSA being involved with safety, logging and phone calls.
Doing a bit of research on the subject. Arizona seems to be the tightest with a posted minimum weight, any commercial vehicle over 1,000 lb has to scale (so far, messenger bikers don't need to scale anywhere--- how long does that last, I wonder). Wyoming may be the toughest, expect to have to have just short of a full cavity search there if the lies I read were any indication.
Most of the stuff I've read indicates that even in the states where a vehicle my size (G2500 Chevy CV) does have to scale it's likely to be green-lighted through unless something is obviously wrong-- like trying to make it weigh 16,000 lbs for example. Mainly, even in those states where they do weigh the light vehicles, they don't want to waste too much time with us because they're really after the heavier trucks.
Special note: Even if you don't have to scale, you still have to use good sense. I recently turned down a run because the load, at 3,600 lbs, would have pushed me overweight. Maybe not by much, but maybe by enough that an observant trooper would notice and create a problem. If the vehicle looks wrong to him, he may put you on the scale even if it is below the minimum required to scale in that state. In my case, I have Illinois "B" plates and that gives me 8,000 lbs GVW, I have to keep that in mind.
Most of the stuff I've read indicates that even in the states where a vehicle my size (G2500 Chevy CV) does have to scale it's likely to be green-lighted through unless something is obviously wrong-- like trying to make it weigh 16,000 lbs for example. Mainly, even in those states where they do weigh the light vehicles, they don't want to waste too much time with us because they're really after the heavier trucks.
Special note: Even if you don't have to scale, you still have to use good sense. I recently turned down a run because the load, at 3,600 lbs, would have pushed me overweight. Maybe not by much, but maybe by enough that an observant trooper would notice and create a problem. If the vehicle looks wrong to him, he may put you on the scale even if it is below the minimum required to scale in that state. In my case, I have Illinois "B" plates and that gives me 8,000 lbs GVW, I have to keep that in mind.