Weigh & Inspection Stations

mcc272 · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:40 am Post subject: Weigh & Inspection Stations

I am about to start towing which I have not done for a few years and am curious about the rules in general about weigh stations and inspection stations. I have seen the signs require "all trucks" in Connecticut and "all vehicles over 5T GVW" in Maryland. So, here is the semi-generic question. I will tow with a F250 4X4 crew cab diesel registered with an 8,800 lb GVW. It is plated in Connecticut with what are called combination plates. These are neither passenger nor commercial plates. So the question is how do you deal with weigh stations and inspection stations in various states?

Jim

starcrafttom · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:48 am Post subject:

if you are not a commercial you don't stop.

C-Hawk · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:56 am Post subject:

I agree with Tom.
Besides- 8,800lbs is not 5 tons- no need to stop.
Those check points are for commercial traffic only.

mcc272 · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 1:33 am Post subject:

I can't tell from the Maryland signs whether the 5T is just the truck or the combined GVW of the truck and the trailer which would be over 5T. I too had always thought that it was just commercial traffic but then I got to thinking about the signs. They simply say "all trucks" and make no reference to commercial vehicles. In some states, like NY for instance, pick up trucks, even those not used commercially, are required to have commercial plates. Perhaps I should just quit pondering the imponderables and drive on past! I can just imagine the discussion I might have with some officer about my Connecticut combination plates and his response of his view of them!

Jim

swede · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 4:49 am Post subject: Trailers and Towing

I lived in NY all of my life, until I retired to NC recently, and always had passenger plates on my pickup.

lloyds · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:13 am Post subject:

Blow right on by.

Fun Patrol · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:02 pm Post subject:

I subscribe to the adage:

"It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission."

hardee · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:21 pm Post subject: 2 possibilities or more

You have 2 possibilities that could avoid running crossways of the weighmaster. ONE: Before getting hooked up with your trailer, but in the truck, pull in at a scalehouse, and go in and ask, telling them that you are going to be towing a boat and trailer. Give them the weights of the truck, boat & trailer and see what they say. or TWO: Wait until you have the combination hooked up, then pull in and ask if you need to stop. No chance of getting a ticket that way. IF you go past and they spot you and come out to ask why you didn't come in, there is a chance of getting a ticket.

For my $.02 I would do option #1.

I have pulled tons of combos, both rental and my own rigs and never had to scale them, although I have pulled in and asked several times, (just never in and onto the scales before I asked.)

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

tsturm · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:37 pm Post subject: Re: Weigh & Inspection Stations

Doryman · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 1:50 pm Post subject: Re: Weigh & Inspection Stations

journey on · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 2:08 pm Post subject:

California has "No Pickup" signs at their weigh stations. Having traveled in every state west of the Mississippi, I haven't stopped yet (for inspection stations.)

Boris

thataway · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 5:38 pm Post subject:

Recreational vehicles, pickups (unless towing commercial loads) are generally excepted at the weight stations--for example yesterday I saw a F 450 towing a 5th wheel trailer with a large diesel air compresser and a good sized crawler back hoe--same for 450 towing a goose neck boat hauler, which required permits.) I picked up the CD 25 in New Jersey and just ran by all of the weight stations in New Jersey, on down.

Towing a C Dory behind a 3/4 or 1 ton would not stop.

mcc272 · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:29 pm Post subject:

Lots of good information as usual on the site. The laws in this regard are not well explained or understood but if C-Dory people routinely pass the weigh stations without problem, I guess I will do so as well.

But motor vehicle laws are really murky and vary so much from state to state. My F250 diesel truck has combination plates in Connecticut but I have not clue what that means in terms of reciprocity in other states. If it was registered in NY, it would be required by law to have commercial plates since only pick ups with an "unladen weight" up to 5,500 lbs can have passenger plates. However, the "light weight" on my truck is 6,649 lbs which requires commercial plates. There are a couple of ways to get around commercial plates -- having a camper top with a sliding window or alternatively, having beds, refrigerator and other camping equipment installed in the bed.

Jim

thataway · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 2:06 pm Post subject:

I was concerned about over length--since when towing the C Dory 25 with the RV we are just at 65 feet (might be an inch or two more). We avoided a larger RV--because of concern--but have met RV's who have combined length over 80 feet. One was even owned by a retired CHP captain. No permits.