Must travel trailers stop at truck weigh stations?

[TrainChaser]

I've never seen this mentioned.

Do they have to stop at all?  If 'maybe', what are the basic rules, weight?  Length? 

How about a vardo/gypsy wagon?

Just wondering.

 

[rvwandering]

RVs are exempt. The only people that have to stop, as far as I know, are the ones driving commercial vehicles.

 

[Dgorila1]

If you're carrying propane you need to stop and get inspected before going into most tunnels (the tunnels running under various rivers and bays, mostly on interstate highways).

 

[Boyntonstu]

If you're carrying propane you need to stop and get inspected before going into most tunnels (the tunnels running under various rivers and bays, mostly on interstate highways).

And not gasoline in plastic containers?

 

[Almost There]

You've never seen it mentioned because it's a non-issue. It will be clearly signed if you need to stop with a travel trailer.

Most of the roadside inspection stations/weigh scales are for commercial transports only. Even tractors used and plated for personal use don't have to stop unless it says so.

Agricultural stations such as the one on I10 at Blythe stop everyone and  have separate lanes for commercial traffic. They mostly wave non commercial traffic right on through but reserve the right to stop and ask questions/inspect.

Border guard stations are where everyone has to stop.

As Dgorilla1 pointed out, there are certain inspection stations that are there for tunnels so you'd have to stop for them. Your propane should be shut off while travelling anyways.

 

[tx2sturgis]

New Mexico MVD:

"Examples of commercial vehicles include trucks, semi-trucks, vans, coaches, buses, taxi cabs, box trucks, and trailers."

Source:

http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/port-of-entry-information.aspx[/SIZE]

Are you confused yet?

It depends on how each state defines a commercial motor vehicle.

In some states, if someone paid me to ride a motorcycle for pay, to test the tires or whatever, I would legally have to stop at weigh stations...jeeze...

 

[speedhighway46]

Actually, it's not whether you drive a commercial vehicle; its whether you are in "commercial service" that you must stop at a weigh station. You are in commercial service if you are in the business of moving goods for hire.

My motorhome is a large "retired" Peterbilt road tractor, a "semi" truck which pulled 40' and 53' trailers back and forth across the country. Did it for the first 8 years of its life; almost 900,000 miles worth. It was required to stop at the scales because it was in commercial service hauling goods for hire.

Then I bought it. Put a 16' box on the framerails and turned it into a motorhome. I don't move goods for hire so I am not in commercial service. Same truck . . . but I am not in commercial service.

I have never stopped at a weigh station and have never been chased down because I drove on by. I am not in commercial service.

Just my opinion . . .

 

[highdesertranger]

Speed Highway is correct. highdesertranger

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/weigh-stations/

 

[tx2sturgis]

Actually, it's not whether you drive a commercial vehicle; its whether you are in "commercial service" that you must stop at a weigh station. You are in commercial service if you are in the business of moving goods for hire.

My motorhome is a large "retired" Peterbilt road tractor, a "semi" truck which pulled 40' and 53' trailers back and forth across the country. Did it for the first 8 years of its life; almost 900,000 miles worth. It was required to stop at the scales because it was in commercial service hauling goods for hire.

All this is true IF you had the vehicle re-certified as a motorhome, or RV. Otherwise its STILL a commercial motor vehicle. Simply using the class 8 truck for hauling non-commercial property does not change what it is. 

This rule also applies to the CDL laws.

Yes, you blow the scales and have not been caught. But someday you might! 

Technically, a travel trailer or motorhome is supposed to stop at most weigh stations and pay a fee IF the vehicle is in transit from the manufacturer to the dealer or buyer. Do most transport RV drivers stop and pay this fee? 

Nope.

 

[speedhighway46]

Brian: thanks for your comments.

1) My title in the state of Michigan for this vehicle says "Peterbilt Motorhome" terminating its classification as a commercial class 8 vehicle.

2) The Uniform Motor Vehicle Code in Michigan as well as the Federal regulations governing the requirements for Commercial Driver License specifically state that the driver of a personally owned "commercial vehicle" carrying only the owner's personal possessions and not in commercial service is not required to have a CDL.

3) I carry "RV" insurance on my motorhome and am not required to carry commercial vehicle
insurance.

I know these facts to be true because I carry a copy of them in my motorhome in case I am challenged by someone who "thinks" they know the law when they do not.

Just my opinion . . . based upon the law as it applies to my situation.

 

[tx2sturgis]

1) My title in the state of Michigan for this vehicle says "Peterbilt Motorhome" terminating its classification as a commercial class 8 vehicle.

In your first post, number 7, you did not include this information.

So yes, IF a class 8 tractor is re-certified as a motorhome, or RV, then it is no longer a commercial vehicle. If it has NOT been re-certified then it IS a commercial vehicle, as originally certified. Which is exactly what I said. 

And, if you ARE driving a vehicle which is CURRENTLY a commercial motor vehicle, then you DO need a CDL of the proper class and category. This is also federal and state law.

You are wise to carry proof of all the relevant laws and rules. Sometimes you can run across a 'Barney Fife' in Podunk USA who has an attitude and lack of experience. I have a friend who is a federal agent and drives trucks for the DOE and their federal convoys hauling nuclear weapons and related cargo occasionally get pulled over for some perceived infraction. These men and women are all trained and equipped for roadside terrorist encounters.

The local yokal who pulls one of the trucks over is always quite surprised when he is quickly surrounded by about 15 armed federal agents (responding from the escort trucks) in full battle gear, carrying automatic weapons. They will politely ask what the problem is. After a short discussion, the convoy is always 'free to go'...and the nervous officer (sometimes visibly shaken) now has a story to tell his co-workers.

BTW...technically speaking, and quite ironic, these guys do NOT have to have a state issued CDL or DOT medical certificate. They work for the Federal Government and are analogous to the military. 

If at some point you, or anyone reading this article later, assumes this is a 'trucker story'...you are directed to this website:

https://nnsa.energy.gov/aboutus/ourprograms/defenseprograms/securetransportation

Be sure to watch the video.

 

[Ballenxj]

2) The Uniform Motor Vehicle Code in Michigan as well as the Federal regulations governing the requirements for Commercial Driver License specifically state that the driver of a personally owned "commercial vehicle" carrying only the owner's personal possessions and not in commercial service is not required to have a CDL.

Question, does your rig have air brakes?
 I was told by somebodies friend of a friends cousin somewhere that if you have air brakes, you need a CDL?

 

[speedhighway46]

Brian: yes, I know all that.

Re air brakes: Formally, there is a loophole in the law. Yes, you are required to have an endorsement on your CDL if you are driving a commercial vehicle with air brakes. But you can't get an air brake endorsement unless you have a CDL. Some of the larger motorhomes now are coming with air brakes; but the vehicle does not require a CDL.

It will take the government experts several years to catch up to this one.

I'm not loosing any sleep over it.

Just my opinion.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

Speedhighway, you ever think about getting your CDL? I got mine in Mass, one of the more strict states as far as getting it goes and I didn't find it very difficult. You already know how to drive a truck, getting it would be a breeze.

 

[speedhighway46]

ERLH: I've thought abt it several times. But i'm too old to work, and don't want to. Also, truck drivers are universally abused by their employers. It a tough way to make a living.

I guess the real reason is I don't want to have to get into the "system." Uncle Sam already knows too much abt me; and I don't trust him.

But thanks for the comment. I enjoy your posts, by the way.

Best, Speed

 

[tx2sturgis]

All current interstate CDLs require a current medical certification (you better be really healthy!) which is now 'embedded' in the license. 

Plus your license is now subject to a lot more responsibilities not present in a regular operators license, including MUCH lower BAC levels if caught DUI/DWI and a bunch of stipulations and limits on things like reckless driving infractions and speeding over 14 over a limit....lots of new rules when you have a CDL.

But, you can still get a Class A CDL, Category 4 which means you have the license to drive a large commercial rig in your home state ONLY (or inTRA state) but no medical card is required.

However we are drifting way off the original topic so I will abstain further.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Brian: yes, I know all that.

Just making things clearer for others reading this and you know, 40 years in the 'biz'...I learned a thing or three.

 

[highdesertranger]

I drove a Pete dump truck for years with a regular license. the GVWR was 26k. it had air brakes never a problem. I got pulled over a few times but like I said no problem because I was under the 26,001 lbs. that made a CDL mandatory. highdesertranger

 

[masterplumber]

Just as an aside, I run DOT numbers on my truck as it's over 10,000 gvwr even before I hook a trailer to it. I recently changed my DOT registration to interstate from intrastate as I may be doing work in neighboring states. That triggered a call to the Feds and a future safety inspection. During the call one thing that came up is even though I don't need a CDL unless I hook up a trailer that puts my total gcwr over 26,001 lbs, any driver of a commercial vehicle over 10,000 gvwr need to have a medical card. My point is, the rules are currently in flux and are constantly getting stricter. Unless you are actually using a vehicle for commercial purposes as I am, you would be wise to reregister it as a private or recreational vehicle as Speed Highway has done. Most States have some provision for this, though it may take some digging. This would include any pickup and cargo trailer combination that is over 10,000 gcvw. As at least in my area that is something they seem to be on the lookout for.