DOT scales giving anyone problems ?

pop pop · Post by **pop pop** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 1:24 am

i am curious as to the guys with heavier crawlers such as 440icd's or 350's and 1010/2010 ,
are you getting thru the state scales without problems?
i have a heavy 1 ton pickup and a steel bedded tandem axle trailer which adds to the weight problem considerably

Pat · Post by **Pat** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 3:07 pm

Haven't had any problems, because I don't stop! Run farm plates and 26000# tags, and was told I could bypass scales so I do. Pat

Post by **Lavoy** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 7:31 pm

Keep you total weight, and your GCWR below 26,000, that will help, anything above that, you are a semi as far as the DOT is concerned. Always say it is for personal use, never for hire. After a long conversation with the guys at the State Patrol here, it kind of sounds like the mood of the guy with the badge and the gun as to whether you get in trouble or not.
Lavoy

Tigerhaze · Post by **Tigerhaze** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 8:45 am

Pat wrote:Haven't had any problems, because I don't stop! Run farm plates and 26000# tags, and was told I could bypass scales so I do. Pat

Each person on here really need to research the state you are in to determine scale requirements as well as farm exemptions. For instance, Missouri requires a CMV over 18,000 lbs to stop at scales (even though below the CDL threshold of 26,001 lbs). I believe Iowa's threshold is even lower.

Even though a vehicle may not require a CDL, there may be other licensing requirements. For instance, in MO I have to have a Class E (for hire) operator's license to drive a CMV farm truck even if it is below CDL threshold requirements and privately owned.

The definition of CMV varies depending on whether doing interstate or intrastate commerce, but even farm tagged vehicles may have to stop in MO depending on weight.

I guess my point is, carefully research your state's requirements. CMV violations can be pretty severe if you depend on them for a living.

JD440ICD2006 · Post by **JD440ICD2006** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 9:11 am

There are folks that will haul stuff their whole life, never get stopped, never go in the scales, never have an accident.
I for one am no longer willing to take all of the risk involved that come with hauling illegally.
The funny thing is, many are illegal in one way or the other, and do not even know it.

Here is the real kicker. If you end up in an accident, (even if it is not your fault), the first thing lawyers do is sift through any place they can find to source money. If there is one thing out of law on your rig, you may pay more than you could ever hual.

In short, you must be in compliance with each and every Federal law, but you must also be in compliance with each and every State law inwhich you travel.

If you cross State lines, you must display IFTA stickers, buy a cetain amount of fuel from that State, pay State taxes in each of those States.
It is much deeper than many want to admit.

It used to be that most DOT Officers were really only after the big rigs, the ones that had safety issues, bad log books, etc.

But the game has changed. Every State has figured out that it is a nice source of extra income in times of slashed budgets.

Good luck fighting the tickets and fines, especially if it is several States away and a long drive.

Ohiohillbilly · Post by **Ohiohillbilly** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:57 pm

I used to do some hauling with my 3/4 ton pickup and a gooseneck. I got fined $1000.00 in NC and $200.00 in Ohio.

I've been stopped and inspected in OH, PA, WV, VA, NC, NY, TN, ad Ontario. Federal law says that if you are over 10,000 lbs combined GVW then you must have a log book (or other proof of hours of service if within 100 air miles), medical card, DOT number if out of state, and an ICC number if you are hauling something that isn't yours. In New York you have to have a HUT sticker if you are over 18,000 lbs and leave the thruway. I got tired of it and sold everyting about the time PA got a freind of mine for $6,000.00 with a one ton and a trailer. Oh, and I had my tank dipped at least three times to check for farm fuel. They are broke and are tring to get money anwhere they can.

JD 350B

JimAnderson · Post by **JimAnderson** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 4:05 pm

I always stop at the scales.I figure its better than being chased down
by a flashing blue light.With that said I'm running a one ton with a
ten thousand pound trailer.I don't haul anything I don't own personally
and I make sure that I bind with approved chains and methods.
I ran into a PA. DOT inspector who wanted to know why I didn't
have DOT numbers on the truck.When I explained to him that the
truck, its contents,the trailer and its contents were belonged to me
personally he checked the lights and sent me on my way.
The US DOT oversees interstate and intrastate commerce ,the
key word being commerce.From what I've seen of the registration
requirements I'm not sure I can even get a DOT number for a privately
owned personal use vehicle.I haven't been ticketed yet and I don't
want any.If anyone knows the answer to this question post back.
The only state I ever get run across the scales,empty or loaded is
my home state of VA.JimAnderson

JD440ICD2006 · Post by **JD440ICD2006** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 4:31 pm

I am glad that I got to "run" before they started ticketing almost everyone they stop.

Your rig sounds good, and I would love to have another one. But, when you do the proper weight calculations to keep you under 26,000 LBS and legal, there is not enough net carry load available.
My 730 D weights 10,000, 440 ICD around 7,500, etc.

A 10,000 lb trailer and an F-350 would be just 2,000 lbs or less short of CDL.

Gone are the days of running out west to bring back the good stuff unless you own a CDL legal rig.

townlineterry · Post by **townlineterry** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 6:22 pm

Lavoy makes a good point, mood of the inspector makes a big difference, and so does yours. If you give these guys, or ladies any attitude they can make your life hell. Don't have to kiss ass just be polite and cooperate.

When I drove over the road and and now with my own equipement I always remembered these people were there for a reason. If there is something wrong I want to know. I want to get home in one piece and I don't want to kill anybody.

If your equipement is well maintained it will show(lights working, brakes adjusted ec) and you will have a lot less problems with the dot.

Terry

JimAnderson · Post by **JimAnderson** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 6:25 pm

Your are right about the weight.I'm licensed at 23,500 lbs and
haul a trailer at 5tons or less because I was told that over 5tons
then CDL for interstate travel was required.What really steams
me about this whole mess is that an 80 year old guy in a class A
motor home towing a Humvee does'nt raise an eyebrow but if
I want to take my tractor to an out of state show I have a whole
different playing field.So much for the land of the free.
JimAnderson

JimAnderson · Post by **JimAnderson** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 6:45 pm

Terry,
I agree with you.Attitude of the individuals on both sides makes
a difference.These people have a job to do and I have no interest
in getting anyone hurt either.I make sure that my rig is road worthy
every trip,no exceptions.On a recent trip to PA I stopped at chicken
coop in MD to be weighed.The truck was empty and there was no
trailer behind.This kid comes out with a badge and wants to know
if the truck was owned by a business.No.Was the truck being used
for business.No.This is my pickup it just has a twelve foot bed.
He shakes his head then asks where I'm going.I should have told
him Alaska but told him the truth.I have nothing but respect for
over the road truckers after some of the crap I've seen out on
the road the last few years.To this day I wonder why I have to tell
anybody where I'm going.JimAnderson

Post by **Lavoy** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 6:56 pm

Class A motorhome, heck a neighbor out near the farm sells motorhomes that are on Freightliner chassis. 450-550 HP, up to 45" long, 10spd auto shift, 40,000lb pintle hitch, and they are registered motorhomes, drive it anywhere you want with a regular drivers license. Hook a boat or Suburban or whatever on the back and away you go.
Lavoy

JD440ICD2006 · Post by **JD440ICD2006** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 6:58 pm

The driver's attitude and demeanor are always important no matter which branch of the law is involved.

The whole DOT and trucking thing has changed. I know there are still some good guys in DOT that want to keep us all safe, but the thing has turned in to a cash cow.
There are so many little variables that they can get you on, and some of them are looking for money. It is like there is a game or bonus for the ones that can "raise" the most money.
You and I both know that this is not keeping us safe.
They know little "secrets" such as, if you are miles from home, an indivdual and not a company, chances of you fighting the ticket are very slim.

The rules are out of step with today's equipment. I should be able to drive a truck and trailer that will haul my personal tractors. But it is all based on the "10,000" and the "26,000" rules. I eat up most of the weight in a safe rig to use to haul.
They are not about to change the rules to be more realistic because it would shut them out of millions of dollars in fines.

JimAnderson · Post by **JimAnderson** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 7:47 pm

Lavoy,
I thought I was pushing the envelope with my rig as a personal
transport until a tandem Pete with a 50 foot trailer past me with
a personal RV sign on the side.I wished the 26,000 ,10,000 lb
stuff was etched in stone and recognized by the enforcement folks.
All this, is a hobby for me.I guess I will have to start collecting
stamps.Thank you Lavoy for the chance to vent.JimAnderson

pop pop · Post by **pop pop** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:42 am

i am going to have to get one of those huge semi motorhomes ,,
and let my mother drive it,,, she can't see anything,
and then pull a trailer too. .
i see i am not the only one recognizing this problem,,
the state's cash cow of mastadon proportions.
.in arizona i've seen various sized trucks with mexican plates running on the interstate looking like sanford & son hit the jackpot and tried to get it all in one trip,,(insert bass saxaphone sound,"du-du-du-dunt-dunt")
, squishy bald tires, no lights, plates, mirrors, usecured, overwidth, weight, size,,, and the cops will have a "nice" truck pulled over,,
why?? probably because a citizen will pay the ticket. not shoot at the cop, speak english, and have insurance,

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