Community Forums

Sixpack98 · 08-10-2009, 03:28 PM

TXDOT has a mobile weight enforcement group that carry portable scales. Does anyone know if they will weigh an RV? We live in East Texas (Tyler) and have not been able to find a scale that can weigh each wheel position. We have weighed the front, rear and entire MH several times locally but never each wheel. Due to work schedules, etc we don't make many of the rallies and the ones we have attended RVSafety was not there.

Sorry for posting here but did now want responses from Bufallo Chips, WY and other places equally as distant.

Thanks in advance,
mark

Elkhartjim · 08-10-2009, 05:08 PM

Have you tried a farm co-op, scrap metal dealer? I've also considered checking with the DPS weights and measurements troopers...just never found one that wasn't busy.

Sixpack98 · 08-11-2009, 07:40 AM

I have tried a scrap metal dealer but the antiquated scale they have needs to be pretty balanced left to right and the readings were not accurate. There is rock and stone place here in Tyler and I will ask them.

sknight · 08-11-2009, 08:23 AM

Might be a long shot but see if you can contact a local race team. They use scales under each tire to set the cars up, I have no idea what they might charge though.

marka · 08-11-2009, 10:16 AM

Howdy,

Quote:

Originally Posted by sknight

Might be a long shot but see if you can contact a local race team. They use scales under each tire to set the cars up, I have no idea what they might charge though.

That's unlikely to work... My race scales can only handle 1500 lbs per pad, and the pads are 16" square (I think it is... maybe 12"?).

That's not going to work well on most RV's... :-)

Mark

chasfm11 · 08-11-2009, 09:39 PM

When we first got our RV in 2004, I called Austin (DPS) and asked about mobile weighing. I was referred to the local captain, who gave me the location and times for local truck enforcement. Very calmly and diplomatically, I went there and was able to convince on of the trouper/mechanics to weigh all 4 corners. Right before that, I had gone to the local CAT scale and I found the readings to be exactly the same, though the DPS readings were on the corner level.

Wayne M · 08-12-2009, 09:43 AM

In the realm of safety, has anyone asked DPS if they would show up at a rally with their mobile scales as a faith of public relations? Hmmm! You just might find a trooper RV'er.

Hey! I'd even contribute to their trooper fund.

Sixpack98 · 08-12-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M

In the realm of safety, has anyone asked DPS if they would show up at a rally with their mobile scales as a faith of public relations? Hmmm! You just might find a trooper RV'er.

Hey! I'd even contribute to their trooper fund.

That would be an excellent idea. It is VERY difficult to find a scale that will weigh individual wheels and very important to the safe operation of an RV. Difficult to judge how to load effectively.

Sixpack98 · 08-12-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasfm11

When we first got our RV in 2004, I called Austin (DPS) and asked about mobile weighing. I was referred to the local captain, who gave me the location and times for local truck enforcement. Very calmly and diplomatically, I went there and was able to convince on of the trouper/mechanics to weigh all 4 corners. Right before that, I had gone to the local CAT scale and I found the readings to be exactly the same, though the DPS readings were on the corner level.

That's a good tip about contacting the local captain. I called the local TXDOT and got hold of one of the rudest state employee I believe I have ever talked to. They said I was wasting their time and resources even though I informed her how important 4 corner weighing was in an RV. She could have cared less. I finally reminded her who she worked for.

H. Miller · 08-13-2009, 04:59 AM

Dawn & Mark,
I always ask the persons name and make a point that it is being written down (ask how to spell it) especially when in conversation with government types. It seems to get their attention.

Elkhartjim · 08-13-2009, 03:59 PM

I stopped today at Anderson county (Palestine,TX) DPS drivers license office and talked with the young lady (receptionist) in the weights and measurements department. I asked several questions and finally she called the officer in charge of the local department of w&m. He was on his cell phone and was extremely polite and said if I would call their office he would arrange to meet me any place that would be safe and weigh each corner of my MH. He explained he cannot give me a print out.

Hope this helps Dawn and Mark. BTW...everyone I dealt with in this office was courteous, polite and professional...how refreshing.

Wayne M · 08-13-2009, 09:54 PM

Jim,
That's good info. Now if we could just get one of them to volunteer for a rally. Offer free food and drinks of their choice (non alcoholic of course - unless they remain and off-duty)

Elkhartjim · 08-14-2009, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M

Jim,
That's good info. Now if we could just get one of them to volunteer for a rally. Offer free food and drinks of their choice (non alcoholic of course - unless they remain and off-duty)

When we meet for the weigh I'll approach that subject.

Sixpack98 · 09-02-2009, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elkhartjim

I stopped today at Anderson county (Palestine,TX) DPS drivers license office and talked with the young lady (receptionist) in the weights and measurements department. I asked several questions and finally she called the officer in charge of the local department of w&m. He was on his cell phone and was extremely polite and said if I would call their office he would arrange to meet me any place that would be safe and weigh each corner of my MH. He explained he cannot give me a print out.

Hope this helps Dawn and Mark. BTW...everyone I dealt with in this office was courteous, polite and professional...how refreshing.

Might be worth a trip to Palestine, it's not far from where we park or MH.
Thanks for the tip.

mark