Community Forums

GZMandalay · 11-14-2019, 10:21 AM

I live in Houston Area and travel around Texas on toll roads that are charged back to my EZ tag account issued by HCTRA. I tow a vehicle behind my RV. I have EZ tags on both my RV and toad. Getting charged for one 2 axle vehicle and one 4 axle vehicle each time I go through a tolling plaza. (Both my vehicles are 2 axle) Contacted EZ Store and TX Tag and both say I have to dispute charges and they will decide if they will issue credit. Anybody figured out a way to resolve this issue?

Rocky Larson · 11-14-2019, 12:07 PM

We wrap the toad transponder in its metallic shipping envelope and put it in the glove compartment. That way they can dispute the charges and decide how much they want to charge....
The MH transponder on the front pays its fee and their camera, if not satisfied with the rolling stock, will take a picture of the toad license plate for additional fees. Both plates are on file with my account so I am not trying to get out of paying, only want it to be correct.

Alan_Hepburn · 11-14-2019, 08:22 PM

Here in the San Jose area the toll structure is such that if we drive the motorhome and the toad seperately then we pay $5 per vehicle, or $10 total. If we connect the toad to the motorhome then we pay $5 per axle, so end up paying $20 total!

CalCamp · 11-15-2019, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky Larson

We wrap the toad transponder in its metallic shipping envelope and put it in the glove compartment. That way they can dispute the charges and decide how much they want to charge....
The MH transponder on the front pays its fee and their camera, if not satisfied with the rolling stock, will take a picture of the toad license plate for additional fees. Both plates are on file with my account so I am not trying to get out of paying, only want it to be correct.

I'm in the SF Bay Area which uses Fastrak. My transponder used to beep every time I went through the toll plaza. The past 10-15 years, it quit beeping and I don't even carry it in the vehicle anymore. The cameras photograph the license plates, their computers have license plate recognition software and charge my account accordingly. I do have all my vehicles registered at Fastrak.

If I were GZ, I would make a test run while leaving both transponders at home. See if you get a Toll Evasion letter (probably disputable because your vehicles are registered and there is $$ in your account) or if your account is charged correctly.

You could probably login to HCTRA and see when/where you are charged or not.

Back to morning brew . . .

TajMahal · 11-15-2019, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GZMandalay

Anybody figured out a way to resolve this issue?

Simple solution is to stay off the toll roads at all costs!!!

V3600 · 11-15-2019, 10:22 AM

I found out about lousy toll roads in Florida. We were riding our Goldwing motorcycle and towing a tent trailer. We were charged 50% more than a 1-ton dually pickup because of our three axles. How fair is that? Sux.

Gary RVRoamer · 11-15-2019, 12:16 PM

The most recommended method is to put a cover over the towed car's transponder to shield it from the scanner. Usually that means an RFId-proof shield of some sort, maybe even just a piece of foil.

egwilly · 11-16-2019, 05:52 AM

The way I see it is that they take a picture of your motorhome plate and the towed vehicle plate. It's up to them to decide whether to charge for 2 separate vehicles, or like here on our toll roads, to charge for 3 or more axles.

The largest charge usually prevails.

This is no different than the three or more axle charge we get for our fifth wheel when we tow it thru a toll booth on our toll roads in So. Calif.

I just pay it and move on......the toll road saved me some time and grief.

twinboat · 11-16-2019, 06:10 AM

Since Florida went to Toll by Plate, with no manned toll booths, lots of cars now sport bike racks with the straps hanging in the wind.
Very popular in the Miami area where every other road has a toll.

B52Rnav · 11-16-2019, 06:37 AM

We live in Houston and have Texas tag on our toad. We do not have a tag on the RV. Originally had tags on both vehicles and were seeing double charges at each toll booth. We called Texas tag and they recommended removing tag from RV. I was never able to talk with HCTRA to get their recommendation. Our setup has worked well in Houston and in Austin area.

Trapper2022 · 11-16-2019, 08:23 AM

Tolls are charged for wheels on the ground. You are using the toll road weather you are driving the car or towing it. Trying to avoid tolls by covering transponder may not work so well in Houston where they also take front and back photos of rig. Once the plate picture goes into their computer system they never forget you. If you ever become a Texan or get plates in a state that has respiratory with Texas you will get a bill for the toll and late fees. Ask me how I know. A 2$ tow turned into a several hundred dollar bill when they found me. Why should a towed car be free or a reduced rate? If you do not want to pay your fair share then do not use the toll roads. I avoid them as much as I can but at times it saves me time so I pay double because the RV always has a tow.

Enjoy the journey

keymastr · 11-16-2019, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

Since Florida went to Toll by Plate, with no manned toll booths, lots of cars now sport bike racks with the straps hanging in the wind.
Very popular in the Miami area where every other road has a toll.

I guess I'm slow today. Can you elaborate?

twinboat · 11-16-2019, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keymastr

I guess I'm slow today. Can you elaborate?

The bike rack and straps block the camera from getting a clear shot of the rear plate.

Florida has no front plate.

docj · 11-16-2019, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trapperbob11

Tolls are charged for wheels on the ground. You are using the toll road weather you are driving the car or towing it. Trying to avoid tolls by covering transponder may not work so well in Houston where they also take front and back photos of rig.

With all due respect, HCTRA says that having a transponder on your motorhome and none on the toad is how you are supposed to do it. We have driven all over TX like that without any difficulty. More than 90% of the time we are correctly charged for 4 axles, although occasionally we get charged for 5!

Rather than stick the TX-tag transponder to the window of the toad, I used Velcro so it can be removed and wrapped in foil when the vehicle is being towed.