Mandatory highway weigh stations - which states for RVs?

[terapin-bear]

Another post got me thinking: in which states (and provinces) would an RV be mandated to be weighed at the roadside like commercial vehicles? Any links to print out regulations?

Our RV is a diesel pusher.

Thanks!

[Thorfinn]

Those stations are for commercial vehicles only. However, that doesn't mean you can't get pulled over and weighed if an officer believes you are overloaded or out of balance. It's always best to know your weight and distribution.

[LindaH]

We've never been in a state that requires private vehicles to stop at the weigh stations, although we haven't RV'd in all 50 states.

[BryanL]

re: "However, that doesn't mean you can't get pulled over and weighed if an officer believes"

do you know of any case where this has actually happened? do you know of any state traffic laws that set weights for RV's?

I know there are weight issues in regards to driver's licenses but I haven't heard of anything other than maybe 'safe weight' for non commercial in regards to RV's

And to those with knee jerk problems, I am not talking about severe abusive overloading and I am talking about careful reading of statutes for what they say and not what you think it might.

[laj]

I would love to see any state/federal statute stated that was in existence. What i have read on every post that had to do with weight was an opinion with no legal reference that one could go to and read for themselves. Commercial yes, private/rv no

[Steve Ownby]

In the last year or so there were reports in several forums of California DOT stopping both motorhomes and 5th wheels and weighing them.

Ohio has installed scales at Ohio turnpike toll entrances and turning away any motorhome over 20,000 on the drive axle. I believe a motorhome with a tag axle has a max of 34,000. PA is currently installing scales for the PA turnpike. I don't believe they are writing tickets but refusing entrance.

I don't believe any state requires RV's to cross the DOT scales.

[RickO]

Originally Posted by Steve Ownby

Ohio has installed scales at Ohio turnpike toll entrances and turning away any motorhome over 20,000 on the drive axle. I believe a motorhome with a tag axle has a max of 34,000. PA is currently installing scales for the PA turnpike. I don't believe they are writing tickets but refusing entrance.

I don't believe any state requires RV's to cross the DOT scales.

We've had our coach through 34 states and never been directed into a scale of any sort nor have we ever heard of anyone being pulled over and weighed.

We traveled the Pa Turnpike last July and didn't encounter any scales... just a $48 toll!!! I had also been under the impression that weight on all vehicles was limited to 20,000 # per axle by federal law(?)

Rick

[Thorfinn]

Originally Posted by BryanL

re: "However, that doesn't mean you can't get pulled over and weighed if an officer believes"

do you know of any case where this has actually happened? do you know of any state traffic laws that set weights for RV's?

I know there are weight issues in regards to driver's licenses but I haven't heard of anything other than maybe 'safe weight' for non commercial in regards to RV's

And to those with knee jerk problems, I am not talking about severe abusive overloading and I am talking about careful reading of statutes for what they say and not what you think it might.

ANY vehicle can be pulled and weighed. Even a motorcycle. If the weight is in excess of the data plate's GVWR you will get ticketed. I have personally seen truck TT combos getting weighed. My nephew is a NC State trooper, and he told me they look for the tow vehicle riding low in the rear as probable cause for weighing.

[laj]

Originally Posted by Thorfinn

ANY vehicle can be pulled and weighed. Even a motorcycle. If the weight is in excess of the data plate's GVWR you will get ticketed. I have personally seen truck TT combos getting weighed. My nephew is a NC State trooper, and he told me they look for the tow vehicle riding low in the rear as probable cause for weighing.

Great! Then it should be no problem for you to get, and quote the state statute # so that we all can read it for ourselves. I will be anxiously waiting to read this, as this will provide for a physical answer.
Thanks,
Laj

[Ottawa]

In Ontario the highway Traffic reads:
Examination of vehicle
(2) Every police officer and every officer appointed for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act may require the driver of any motor vehicle or motor assisted bicycle to stop, move the vehicle to a safe location as directed by the police officer or officer and submit the vehicle, together with its equipment and any vehicle drawn by it, to the examinations and tests that the police officer or officer may consider expedient. 1999, c. 12, Sched. R, s. 14.

118. (1) Subject to section 110, no vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be operated on a Class A Highway where the gross vehicle weight exceeds,
(a) the axle unit weight on the front axle, not exceeding the maximum weight permitted on the axle under section 116, plus the sum of the maximum allowable weights for all other axle units of the vehicle or combination of vehicles as set out in section 116;
(b) the axle unit weight on the front axle, not exceeding the maximum weight permitted on the axle under section 116, plus the sum of the maximum allowable weights for any two axle groups, three axle groups or four axle groups, or any combination thereof, as set out in section 117, plus the maximum allowable weight for any axle unit or units excluding the front axle and excluding any axle unit or units which are part of an axle group, as set out in section 116; or
(c) that weight prescribed in the regulations. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 118; 2000, c. 26, Sched. O, s. 11 (1).

[Frank P. Martin]

Originally Posted by RickO

...We traveled the Pa Turnpike last July and didn't encounter any scales... just a $48 toll!!! ...

If you were traveling on the Mainline PA Turnpike and/or Northeast extension, oh, yes, you were weighed- each axle when you went through the toll booth getting on. They have to because your toll is determined by your weight class and not the number of axles. A vehicle that weighs 10,000 pounds with only two axles will pay the same toll as one with four axles.

To the best of my knowledge, I've never known (or heard any stories of) the turnpike using your weight for anything other than determining your toll charge.

On sections of the PA Turnpike other than the Mainline and Northeast extension, the toll charges are determined by using either (weight) class, or the number of axles.

Click on the link below for the PA Turnpike's toll calculator and have fun figuring out your toll. They even add to the excitement by having two different toll charges- one for those paying with cash and another, cheaper rate, for those who use E-ZPass.

Pennsylvania Turnpike Preferred Traveler

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by RickO

We've had our coach through 34 states and never been directed into a scale of any sort nor have we ever heard of anyone being pulled over and weighed.

We traveled the Pa Turnpike last July and didn't encounter any scales... just a $48 toll!!! I had also been under the impression that weight on all vehicles was limited to 20,000 # per axle by federal law(?)

Rick

Rick you can save a bit on tolls with an EZPass. Some turnpikes give bigger discounts than others and some don't give any. I know that last year on a RT from OH to IL I saved over $20.

I just applied for a new transponder from Mass as they don't charge a monthly $1 fee based on their on-line info.

[RickO]

Originally Posted by Tireman9

Rick you can save a bit on tolls with an EZPass. Some turnpikes give bigger discounts than others and some don't give any. .

Thanks Tireman but it was our first trip on that road and based upon the cost and the horrible condition of the road we won't be repeating that trip.

Rick

[Thorfinn]

Originally Posted by laj

Great! Then it should be no problem for you to get, and quote the state statute # so that we all can read it for ourselves. I will be anxiously waiting to read this, as this will provide for a physical answer.
Thanks,
Laj

Ignorance of the law never get's you out of a ticket. Always err on the side of caution.

Here is Illinois rule... I'm not looking up the other 49 states for you.

(625 ILCS 5/15‑111) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15‑111)
Sec. 15‑111. Wheel and axle loads and gross weights.
(a) On non‑designated highways, no vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with load, when the total weight transmitted to the road surface exceeds 20,000 pounds on a single axle or 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle with no axle within the tandem exceeding 20,000 pounds.