Speaking of Truck Scales

[Larry & Rita]

I have noticed in my adventures that ocassionaly, the newer truck weight stations have digital weight displays ahead of the truck,
Most have a zero displayed like they are open, or still on, and no one is around.
Has any one pulled onto the scales, do they still weigh, can an RVer pull on and weigh just for personal records???????
I have seen them but never had the courage to pull in.

Larry

[Midniteoyl]

I have seen this too and have been told that you can drive through and weigh..

[UFO Pilot]

I have weighed my rig twice on scales like that. I figured if someone questioned me I would say I thought is was OK.

[450Donn]

I use the ODOT (Oregon Department of Transportation) highway scales all the time. I generally weigh my rig at least twice a year to my wife's disgust. She thinks I am crazy to constantly weigh when we are traveling. But i like to know what I am scaled at all the time. It helps me decide what to take out after the trip is over.

[Batman_777]

I have often (3-4 times) pulled through weigh stations to check my axle and total weight. No complaints from any attendants. I didn't see a sign that said: "No RV's"

[Midniteoyl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batman_777 I have often (3-4 times) pulled through weigh stations to check my axle and total weight. No complaints from any attendants. I didn't see a sign that said: "No RV's"

The only time I would not is when they are actively weighing semi's..

[Chief9-4]

Have done it a number of times and never had a problem.

[njs42]

Often when they are closed the scale is on, you can see the zero---when I see that I go in--or slow to look, sometimes it is not on.

I have hesitated to go into a scale in operation----I have wondered if some official might stop me during the weigh and ask for weight ratios etc; and wind up in a hassle.

I get enough opportunities to weigh at empty scales.

[frankdamp]

Larry:

The "Rambling Man" blogger on the Seattle P-I website, Jim Jaillet, recntly posted that he'd visited the truck scales east of Anacortes on SR20 and had been able to do a comprehensive weighing of his rig while the (digital) scales were closed, looking at the displays through the window.

I'd like to get my rig weighed and might do the same as Jim did.

The other alternative I've considered is to go to the local garbage transfer station and ask them to give you a weight reading. I've no idea if they would charge you if you didn't dump, but even a $5 fee would be worth the trouble. Not sure if you could persuade them to do front axle only, then back axle only, but maybe they would, if business was slow and you offered them a gratuity.

[Ray,IN]

Here in Indiana the state police cite you for trespassing if you enter a weigh station that is closed. Too much vandalism I suppose.

[ronspradley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by UFO Pilot I have weighed my rig twice on scales like that. I figured if someone questioned me I would say I thought is was OK.

It is better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.

ronspradley

[slickest1]

I have done that in BC when the scale is closed they have a board up ahead that shows your weight for each axle as you pass through. I wouldn't go in when anyone is there because if you happened to be a little over on an axle you would be finned, and possibly made to reduce the weight to legal.

[Wayne MD]

In my state, its free. Just pull in when the crew is not there. You don't want to block their work status for the day. I've used them for years now.

[BigV]

In WA they are required to leave them on. If they don't have a display outside you can view it through the window. Only the ones that don't have a permanent scale controller will be shut down. Most of those are gone now.