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.