Rookie towing question. Weigh station requirements.

[KenOfAZ]

I have towed my 3500 pound pop up camp trailer all over Arizona. But I will be towing that trailer about 1500 miles (and back) down I 40. I know there are truck weigh-in stations along the way. Last year I pulled into a weigh station with a motorcycle on a U-haul trailer, and they waived me through. So I skipped the rest of the stations for the rest of that trip. Am I required to pull in there with a 3500 pound trailer pop up trailer? Thanks.

 

[SniperDroid]

Commercial vehicles Hauling cargo for hire. POV hauling RV's not required.

 

[Tulecreeper]

I have towed my 3500 pound pop up camp trailer all over Arizona. But I will be towing that trailer about 1500 miles (and back) down I 40. I know there are truck weigh-in stations along the way. Last year I pulled into a weigh station with a motorcycle on a U-haul trailer, and they waived me through. So I skipped the rest of the stations for the rest of that trip. Am I required to pull in there with a 3500 pound trailer pop up trailer? Thanks.

Probably not, but I know in CA there used to be a sign about 1/2 mile before you got to a weigh station with pictures and descriptions of the vehicles that are required to pull in. Pickups with trailers were not on the sign, but those 26' U-Haul moving vans were. When I drove one of those from S. CA to N. CA towing a car on a trailer behind me, I had to pull into every one on my route, which was about 5 of them.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Commercial vehicles Hauling cargo for hire. POV hauling RV's not required.

Not exactly true. Pay attention to the sign coming up to a weigh station. Have notice in a few states in the Midwest the signs used to be all commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs must scale. Now they read all vehicles over 10,000 lbs must scale. My 1 ton and 11000 lbs trailer is over but still haven’t stopped. Haven’t been chased down. If I do get pulled over, I’ll play dumb and state I thought that’s commercial vehicles only. Missouri has always had ALL vehicles over 10,000 lbs must scale.

 

[2003F350]

Not exactly true. Pay attention to the sign coming up to a weigh station. Have notice in a few states in the Midwest the signs used to be all commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs must scale. Now they read all vehicles over 10,000 lbs must scale. My 1 ton and 11000 lbs trailer is over but still haven’t stopped. Haven’t been chased down. If I do get pulled over, I’ll play dumb and state I thought that’s commercial vehicles only. Missouri has always had ALL vehicles over 10,000 lbs must scale.

This. There are a few states who are switching to checking RVs as well, mostly because there are some people out there who are overloading their RVs without realizing it. Ignorance will get you out of it a couple times, but eventually you'll likely get whacked.

As stated, be careful and watch the signs, but for the most part a pop-up should be okay to skip 90% of the weigh stations.

 

[Travelin Ram]

This. There are a few states who are switching to checking RVs as well, mostly because there are some people out there who are overloading their RVs without realizing it. Ignorance will get you out of it a couple times, but eventually you'll likely get whacked.

As stated, be careful and watch the signs, but for the most part a pop-up should be okay to skip 90% of the weigh stations.

Can you cite a source for this? Not trying to be argumentative, I’m genuinely interested. We travel a LOT, and I have never encountered any state weighing RVs.

 

[RamDiver]

Can you cite a source for this? Not trying to be argumentative, I’m genuinely interested. We travel a LOT, and I have never encountered any state weighing RVs.

Do RVs Have To Stop At Weigh Stations In All 50 States?

Here we go over how to weigh an RV at home, do RVs have to stop at weigh stations?, why you should weigh your RV? state laws, and weight terminology.

rvcampr.com

This site appears to have a more detailed listing but some contradictory info on the subject.

Do RVs Have to Stop at Weigh Stations?

Know the states that require RVs to stop at weigh stations if their GVWR is more than 10,000 pounds. Don't be ignorant about weigh stations.

camperguide.org

.

 

[Travelin Ram]

Missouri has always had ALL vehicles over 10,000 lbs must scale.

I believe you are mistaken, here’s my source.

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/Publications/Handbooks-Manuals/documents/SHP-216I.pdf

304.325 “Commercial Vehicles”

 

[Travelin Ram]

@RamDiver , there is a great deal of erroneous and misleading information put out by well meaning third party websites and publications. I have learned to always go to the source when matters of law are concerned. For instance the first link you posted included Georgia, a state I’m quite often in.

Here’s what my source says:
“
Q: I'm confused. I've heard some people say that a GVWR of 10,001 lbs. or more makes a vehicle subject to the regulations, others say 26,001 lbs. Can you help clear this up?

A: Vehicles with a GVWR of 10,001 lbs. or more used as part of a business (including a non-profit organization) are considered commercial motor vehicles for purposes of most of the safety regulations.”

Source:

https://dps.georgia.gov/frequently-asked-questions-mccd

 

[2003F350]

I know PA has for several years - my parents had to stop when they were headed to Gettysburg for a vacation.

I am less sure about some of the southern states listed above unless it's in the last couple years. My in-laws were headed to Florida and went through Mississippi, but didn't have to stop at a weigh station. I have also been through Georgia, and saw many RVs drive right past weigh stations and not get pulled over, so it MIGHT be on the books but possibly not enforced?

As said above, RV sites can be a guide, but they're not always right. The best place for an answer is contacting someone in the State and asking, usually DOT.

 

[Tulecreeper]

I know PA has for several years - my parents had to stop when they were headed to Gettysburg for a vacation.

I am less sure about some of the southern states listed above unless it's in the last couple years. My in-laws were headed to Florida and went through Mississippi, but didn't have to stop at a weigh station. I have also been through Georgia, and saw many RVs drive right past weigh stations and not get pulled over, so it MIGHT be on the books but possibly not enforced?

As said above, RV sites can be a guide, but they're not always right. The best place for an answer is contacting someone in the State and asking, usually DOT.

A very good source is the Commercial Vehicle Division of the State Police/Highway Patrol.

 

[06 Dodge]

I do know that in Iowa ( lived there until fall 2018) any vehicle towing more then 10001 must stop at the weigh station when open and if you did not stop you best hope you were not noticed or if so that a state trooper is not available near by the escort you back to the weigh station, the I did not know does not always go over very well with all officers, speaking from experience...

 

[OC455]

I'm surprised there's nothing there for NY....as bad as it has gotten here now, I woulda figured that would be the next money grabbing scheme from the powers that be.....

 

[18CrewDually]

I can only speak of my experience traveling from our home base NJ, to every state along the east and as far west as TN, from Bar Harbor, Maine to Orlando, FL and never not once been chased down nor expected to pull into a scale house. And actually I could see them being peeved if I was to pull in amongst the commercial big rigs. By the way, many of the times I'm pulling double so if I was supposed to pull in I'm sure they'd come get me but they never have. Pic below for reference how we travel. That was on our way to Anchor Down RV Resort in Dandridge, TN.

 

[Riccochet]

I've never weighed in NC, have never been chased down to weigh and have never seen any other RV weigh.

 

[JayLeonard]

I never saw an RV in a weigh station.
However, last summer pulling my TT
my Apple map displayed “do not stop at weigh station” 1 time. I was out west don’t remember where.
This summer 1 time my Apple map displayed “ truck stop at weigh station”. I did NOT stop and no one chased me. Was either Va or SC don’t recall which.
Each time there was not a big rig near me.

 

[Tulecreeper]

Additionally, there are certain states where RVs may be required to stop if they weigh more than 10,000 pounds, including Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, Washington (State), and Wisconsin.

https://www.transwest.com/rv/blog/weigh-station-protocol-for-rvs/

 

[Scottsjeeprolet]

Any commercial vehicle over 10K is required to stop. Campers are not required.

 

[Jbinramona]

I have held a Class A Commercial Drivers license since 1997. I am currently retired and travel fulltime in our 5th wheel. We are 33,000lds going down the road. I have never pulled my “Private, NON COMMERCIAL RV” through a weigh station.

Weigh stations are for commercial vehicles only.

Pull into one at you own risk. They will either be laughing at you or pissed off at you.

Good luck

 

[StNick]

Someone asked about weight of 26001 lbs and weight scales. The 26001 lb number generally refers to at what point you need a commercial drivers license. 26000 lbs and lower generally can be driven with a regular Class C license (U-haul type trucks). Also, pulling two trailers (Doubles) are legal if 1) you have a doubles endorsement, either commercial or non-commercial, 2) The front trailer must be a 5th wheel (no bumper or frame hitch trailers as a first trailer. Also, many truck scales clearly have signs that say "No pickups". Most scalemasters I ever talked to are not worried about trucks that may be slightly over weight. They want the trucks that are way over. Most scales only check axle weights and I don't recall seeing any axle weight specs for pickup type trucks. And sometimes it's hard to see if it's a half, three-quarter, or one ton truck from inside the scale house. But as was already stated, the scales are for commercial vehicles only. By the way, I often see RV trailers being pulled at 65 MPH plus, and in the far left lanes. This is asking for a ticket in California. Here, a "truck" is defined, for purposes of speed and lane restrictions, as any vehicle with three or more axles. This could include boats being pulled and motorcycles with trailers. It's usually up to the officer if he/she wants to ticket or not but should there be an accident, the vehicle is running illegal.