Anyone travel around California in a cargo van?

[citytravelfotos]

I'm wondering because I read that according to the California DOT website about "Who Must Stop at (Truck) Scales?":<br><br>http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/weigh-stations/stopping.htm<br><br>"DO THESE VEHICLES HAVE TO STOP AT THE SCALES?<br><br>...<br><br><p class="style24" style="margin-top: 0.7em; margin-right: 0em; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 0em; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>CARGO VAN</strong>&nbsp;-- It depends on the load and the use. Technically, they are a motor truck according to CVC Section 410 and, therefore, required to stop at the weigh stations.</p><p class="style24" style="margin-top: 0.7em; margin-right: 0em; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 0em; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Discussion: Yes, technically a cargo van is a motor truck according to CVC Section 410 and, therefore, required to stop at the scales."<br><br><br>I'm wondering if anyone here has any firsthand experience with driving around California in a cargo van and having to or not to stop at the weigh stations.</p>

 

[peacetara]

My 1999 Ford E-350 Diesel van is a cargo van (but now the cargo is me).&nbsp; It still has a commercial title, and is registered in California currently.<br><br>I've never stopped at a weigh station, and nobody ever has asked me to, or pulled me over or anything of the sort.&nbsp; I would guess given your definition, my van would qualify, and be subjected to the weigh in things, but I've NEVER seen anything but semi's and giant box trucks over there (think the huge moving vans).<br><br><br>I've driven every major road in California in this van already, and driven by a LOT of weigh stations in California. Anyways, I've never had any issues, and the DMV never said anything when I went to register it.<br><br>Maybe someday when I'm tired of driving and bored, I might stop in, just to see what happens.&nbsp; I can't imagine they would enjoy a deaf woman showing up in her little cargo van, but it should prove interesting.&nbsp; If I ever manage, I'll post back here and let you know.<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[akrvbob]

No, you don't have to stop in a weigh station in a cargo van.<br>Bob

 

[LFM]

<p class="style24" style="line-height: 20px; margin: 0.7em 0em 0.9em; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I own three E 350 Ford Vans the GVWR is 9500 lbs I have traveled most the US never&nbsp;stopped&nbsp;at any scales.&nbsp;Here's&nbsp;my source.</p><p class="style24" style="margin: 0.7em 0em 0.9em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br><span style="line-height: 20px;">http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/laws/weigh-stations/</span></span></p>

 

[Ballenxj]

Good information for future reference. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <br>-Bruce

 

[Van Tripper]

If it is a commercial vehicle, usually has signage, then you are supposed to stop. &nbsp;Camo vans beware, remove magnets, use temporary signs. &nbsp;Weigh stations are generally concerned with vehicles over 26,000lbs. &nbsp;The inclusion of cargo vans by California possibly has more to do with the transportation of illegals and giving law enforcement "probable cause" to search for same, than worry about an over weight truck.

 

[VanGirl]

Having driven a commercial cargo van for a few years I can explain.

All commercial cargo vans that have a weight rating of more than 10,000 lbs are suppose to weight (DOT rule). The big Sprinter vans have a GVWR of much more than 10K.

This rule has been around for a long time but was not enforced till the Sprinter became the vehicle of chose for the expedite freight business.

Michigan will chase you down, impound your van, handcuff you and haul you off to jail for running past the scale. Many states react in a similar fashion.

Remember, this is only if you are using the van for commercial use.

If you are using it for your personal use. Put a NOT FOR HIRE sign on it and your good to go. The sign will stop a DOT officer from chasing you down to check it out.

If you have your CAMO signs on when going past a scale area you could have a big problem. Yes a rented UHAUL is considered commercial in many states such is AZ and NM.
Best to call DOT or stop at the scale and ask if you are in doubt.

Most folks plate their private vans for the empty weight rating but when fully loaded you can get a ticket and be fined by a local Barney if he is looking for a reason to mess with you. Better to pay an extra 10 bucks or so for the extra weight rating if you fill your van up when you travel.

 

[Ballenxj]

So, Ten Thousand pounds is the magic number? I wonder what the van normally weighs empty? <br>-Bruce

 

[ccbreder]

The key word here is commercial vehicle. I have been vanning off and on from 1973. My truck is registered in NJ as a passenger vehicle. I have been in most of the states and Canada. I have only been troubled when parked in middle class residential areas, and then it was id checks and move along. On the highway or rest stops I have had no trouble. Some restaurants have let me stay overnight in the parking lots. If i had commercial tags, i would come under many more regulations and could possibly pay fines. (ie: no passengers, correct name and address on vehical, limited weight class, "proper" safety equipment.)

 

[Ballenxj]

ccbreder, I understand that the original post was directed towards vans that look commercial, ie box vans, Sprinters, etc. I would think that the look of the van might have a lot to do with drawing unwanted attention in the first place. I'll bet they are also looking for people running an unlicensed business as well, so they might want to check you out. <br>-Bruce

 

[Van Tripper]

If you want to scale your van, go to, any recycle yard, usually $3 or a truck &nbsp;stop, $10. Don't know about recycle yards but if you look at the truck stop scale and stop with the front axle and rear on different parts of the scale, they can tell you how much weight is on each axle plus gross.