ddechri
SE PA
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Joined: 10/19/2009
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Ok, I am new here and I don't have a TC yet. But the question of legal weight has direct bearing on my search.
We've done several multi-week road trips now from PA to CO, UT, WY, NH, KY. As we travel the interstates, different states have different requirements for their weigh stations. Some approach the GVW of my truck (8800 lbs). I guess I'm fearful of going over my legal GVW by adding a TC. But, I know that there is no hope of carrying a hardside camper, passengers and gear without going over. And, I would like to tow my Jeep on a trailer behind occasionally.
So, how does the TC comunity deal with this? Are pivate owners exempt from weighing in? Anyone get ticketed for being overweight or passing a weight station?
I have a '98 Dodge CTD with a factory truck camper package (rear anti sway bar plus 2 overload plys). I run E load rating tires. I've had 4000 lbs of fertizer in my bed and not felt uncomfortable by the performance. But legally I can only carry 2000 lb because the truck is so heavy to start with. So how risky would it be I end up with a 2200 lb camper?
- Dave
Dave DeChristopher
'98 Dodge 2500 CTD 4x4 Longbed Unicover Hi-Top Fiberglass Camper Cap
'79 Jeep CJ-7, Trail Rig
Looking to upgrade to a "real" Truck Camper
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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If you're not a commercial vehicle NO STATE will allow you in their weigh stations. You'd just be getting in the way of commercial vehicles who are out there trying to make a living. The REASON it's important to stay within the capabilities of your truck are for your and every one else's safety.
2004 F-250 SCREW Long Bed (new)
OR 2004 F-150 HD (85,000 towing miles)
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
We have enough YOUTH...how about a fountain of SMART
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cruiserjs
Aurora, CO, USA/ Mesa AZ/ openroad
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Skip & Char are not quite correct. In most States they might allow you to weigh IF there is no lineup of commercial operators waiting.
NO - you are not required to stop - only commercial carriers!
John
Colorado Cruiser
Cruiser CF29CK 5th wheel; 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD, 2wd, short bed
wonderful lifetime traveling companion/spouse
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jimh425
Western WA
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Oh, for weighing purposes, I've noticed our scales (WA) work even if the weigh station is closed. That makes it handy and of course, no line. 
'06 F350 Lariat Supercab SRW, 6.0 PSD 4x4 Long Bed, Intake Elbow, Walker Big Truck Muffler. '06 Host Rainer 950 Double Slide, Fastguns. Firestone Air Bags, Rancho 9000s, Vision 19.5s with Hankook DH-01 245s, Energy Suspension bump stops.
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david_42
Oregon
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Joined: 04/08/2005
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And in Oregon, they just leave the stations turned on, so if the "CLOSED" sign is lit, you can just drive in and weight your vehicle. Most of the stations have enough room that you can shift around and get corner-by-corner numbers.
But if the station is open, it's commercial vehicles only.
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Terryallan
NC
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Joined: 06/28/2004
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ddechri wrote:Ok, I am new here and I don't have a TC yet. But the question of legal weight has direct bearing on my search.
We've done several multi-week road trips now from PA to CO, UT, WY, NH, KY. As we travel the interstates, different states have different requirements for their weigh stations. Some approach the GVW of my truck (8800 lbs). I guess I'm fearful of going over my legal GVW by adding a TC. But, I know that there is no hope of carrying a hardside camper, passengers and gear without going over. And, I would like to tow my Jeep on a trailer behind occasionally.
So, how does the TC comunity deal with this? Are pivate owners exempt from weighing in? Anyone get ticketed for being overweight or passing a weight station?
I have a '98 Dodge CTD with a factory truck camper package (rear anti sway bar plus 2 overload plys). I run E load rating tires. I've had 4000 lbs of fertizer in my bed and not felt uncomfortable by the performance. But legally I can only carry 2000 lb because the truck is so heavy to start with. So how risky would it be I end up with a 2200 lb camper?
- Dave
Don't think you would have a "legal" problem. That factory GVWR is the factory set performance, and warranty limit. It is not the law.
You may have to get a weighted tag to cover the weight of the truck with the TC. Ususally you can put whatever weight on the tag you want to, and are willing to pay for. Check with your local DMV/ tag office. And no. You don't have to pull into the weigh station.
Terry & Shay
Pioneer 23T6
04 F150, 5.4, Lariat SuperCab
Lazy Campers
NC
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Briand
South of Denver
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I drove my 97 F350 Crew SRW for a couple years and a NL 10-2000 RD. It worked fine and still does. I now have ride rites on it. i run load range E BFG ATs. Works great, just drive in the limits of the vehicle. I am over GVW, pretty sure.
'97 F-350, CC, PSD
'02 NL, Ten2000 RD
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Sportsman Matt
Blackstone, MA
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Really depends how it's registered. In most states a Passenger registration on a truck is exempt from weigh stations, A Commercial Registration on a truck may or may not require you to stop (had a RI Trooper make me run through a weigh station pulling a pop up camper behind the 3/4 ton RV dealer pickup because I had the commercial plate and dealer logos all over the truck)
Most weigh stations are looking for truck drivers driving big rigs running overweight or over hours on their logs. I've driven past many open weigh stations with my camper on my truck and never been stopped, because I'm running a 1/2 ton with Passenger plates, not Commercial. Biggest thing is don't look overloaded, don't drive like an idiot, and the LEOs will usually ignore you on the road.
Life is short, Play harder.
2002 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Long Bed 4.3L V6 Automatic 2WD
1989 Sunline C-750 Slide In Truck Camper
7'6" Floor, 11'6" OAL
Fishing and Hunting New England and eventually the world
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wellsdesigned
Above the Sacramento Fog, CA
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The only true legal limits from State to State is how much weight each tire is exerting on the pavement. I believe in most states that is about 8k to 10k pounds (15k to 20k for a 2 axle vehicle). You won't be there of course, but the GVWR listed for your truck is a very important safety measure and should not be ignored just because there are not any specific laws regarding it (yet anyway).
2002 2500HD 4X4 Ext. Cab 6.0L V8
2004 Eagle Cap 850 Camper w/slide-out
Visit my Truck Camper Travels site.
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nycsteve
NY
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I got passenger plates by informing MV that I had a PERMANENT camper attached. They dont really care and I was issued the passenger plates. As far as I know I'm exempt from required weigh in. But I will get a ticket if Im spotted driving the F350 on a road that bars commercial traffic empty or with the camper. Passenger plates or not , even empty it doesnt belong on passenger cars only roads.
steve
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