Rookie towing question. Weigh station requirements.

[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.