FIRST TIME IN CALIFORNIA

[ISMAR132]

I'L START RUNNING CALIFORNIA NEXT WEEK .
I HEAR CALIFORNIA SCALES ARE VERY STRICT WHAT SHOULD I LOOK
FOR. IS IT EVEN WORTH GOING ITO CALIFORNIA.

[inmate1577]

I'L START RUNNING CALIFORNIA NEXT WEEK .
I HEAR CALIFORNIA SCALES ARE VERY STRICT WHAT SHOULD I LOOK
FOR. IS IT EVEN WORTH GOING ITO CALIFORNIA.

The scales in California are no more or less strict than in any other state.
If you are running legal weight, you got no worries. If you are overweight, whether you are in California or some other state is irrelevent.

[Uturn2001]

If you are doing your job like you should be then you have no worries.

Things like:

Make sure your log book is up to date and accurate
Do your vehicle inspections and get any issues fixed
Ensure that your cargo is properly secured in/on the trailer.
Make sure all permits are up to date

Also watch your speed and what lane you are in. CA is a 55 mph truck state and the tend to get cranky if you do over 60. They are very cranky about being in the wrong lane.

Most of where California gets its reputation is that they do more inspections than any other state that I know of.

[yoopr]

2 simple things about entering California
Make sure all your Ducks are in a Row and it's advisable to get your truck washed prior to entering.

[Jackrabbit379]

Yeah, and get ready to feel like you are creeping when you get into California. Drops from 75 to 55 in a matter of a state line. :P

[boneebone]

If you are pulling a 53' trailer your tandems must be no more than 40' from king pin to center of rear axle group. Do not park on the side of the highway to sleep if you see a sign that says Emergency Parking Only. They (CHP) will wake you up and write you a ticket. Hasn't happened to me, but I saw it happen to three drivers on the I-210W in Tujunga, CA, north of LA. at 4:00 in the morning. I bet they were not too happy about getting woken up, and than getting a nice fat ticket.

Keep your CB on and eyes open and ask for Bear reports, It will keep you out of trouble. Good Luck.

[Rev.Vassago]

2 simple things about entering California
Make sure all your Ducks are in a Row and it's advisable to get your truck washed prior to entering.

[yoopr]

2 simple things about entering California
Make sure all your Ducks are in a Row and it's advisable to get your truck washed prior to entering.

I know you're not too bright but anybody who runs California consistently knows that a clean truck rolling through their scales will get a lot further down the line than a Trashy dirty truck which will more likely get pulled in for some Further Looks.
That's why MOST truck drivers stop and get their trucks washed.

[inmate1577]

Forget about the truck washing, scale houses could care less but the big red flag for them is alot of crapola all over the dash. If anything should be kept clean, it should be the dash.

[Useless]

2 simple things about entering California
Make sure all your Ducks are in a Row and it's advisable to get your truck washed prior to entering.

Also, do a very thorough inspection in you tractor & trailer; tires properly inflated, all running & marker lights operational, mud flaps properly installed, and your load properly secured and balanced.

One more thing, make sure that you check your exhaust system.

Any other particulars that could could help new drivers??

[greg3564]

2 simple things about entering California
Make sure all your Ducks are in a Row and it's advisable to get your truck washed prior to entering.

Also, do a very thorough inspection in you tractor & trailer; tires properly inflated, all running & marker lights operational, mud flaps properly installed, and your load properly secured and balanced.

One more thing, make sure that you check your exhaust system.

Any other particulars that could could help new drivers??

Yeah, bring your passport. The Peoples Republic of Kalifornia will be checking you at the border. :P

[Drew10]

I dont run California, but I have heard (from my company) that if you haul Hazmat in California, the trailor must be padlocked.

[Scoe]

I dont run California, but I have heard (from my company) that if you haul Hazmat in California, the trailor must be padlocked.

True, also carry a copy of your long form physical with you in California.

[Rev.Vassago]

I know you're not too bright but anybody who runs California consistently knows that a clean truck rolling through their scales will get a lot further down the line than a Trashy dirty truck which will more likely get pulled in for some Further Looks.
That's why MOST truck drivers stop and get their trucks washed.

Obviously you're not too bright if you believe that crapola. It is a wives tale, no different than the one that says you are required to use white sheets and have your bed made when driving.

[Drew10]

Rev V. said:

It is a wives tale, no different than the one that says you are required to use white sheets and have your bed made when driving.

I just heard the same thing on Monday In the Hudson WI, TA, TV lounge, I had never heard these before, not sure why the bed has to be made up when not in use, (something about Hotel rules). But the driver said we have to carry a white sheet in the truck, just in case we come on an accident scene with dead bodies and the Troopers dont have enough "white sheets" to cover the all bodies, and we are supposed to give them ours.
(you werent up their were you???)

[Rev.Vassago]

Rev V. said:

It is a wives tale, no different than the one that says you are required to use white sheets and have your bed made when driving.

I just heard the same thing on Monday In the Hudson WI, TA, TV lounge, I had never heard these before, not sure why the bed has to be made up when not in use, (something about Hotel rules). But the driver said we have to carry a white sheet in the truck, just in case we come on an accident scene with dead bodies and the Troopers dont have enough "white sheets" to cover the all bodies, and we are supposed to give them ours.
(you werent up their were you???)

Nope - wasn't me. But the white sheet wive's tale, as well as the wash-your-truck wives tale (which i've also heard for florida) have been going around for decades. But neither are true.

Obviously yoopr is gullible enough to believe those truckstop stories. I'm sure he also believes the one about the federal marshalls.

[Derrick]

>>>Do not park on the side of the highway to sleep if you see a sign that says Emergency Parking Only.<<<

Tell that to the Swifty guy near Monterey who parks on the side of the highway with no room to spare and when passing you are within a few feet of his truck. He could easily park at the mini truck stop outside of the Dole plant in Marina where at least 12-20 trucks bed down for the night and the taco vendor is there 24-7.

[Orangetxguy]

Yoopr is right. If you roll into the CA scales with a clean truck, you will get less hassles than if you are in a dirty truck. That doesn't mean that you wash every time you are approaching CA..but if the ride is caked in weeks of grime...your gonna see the inside of the shed.


The "clean" white sheet requirement was not intended for supplying troopers with cover's for dead bodies. It's intent was to provide "clean" material for use as Bandages. Before cell phones and qualcomm, truck driver's were usually the first responders to the scene's of accident's. In the 50's, 60's and 70's the majority of truck driver's were better trained in first aid, than the average person. I was given 3 day's of first aid training, when I started driving in 1974.
How many drivers today, are given even a 1/2 day of first aid training?

[Ridge Runner]

[quote="Orangetxguy"]Yoopr is right. If you roll into the CA scales with a clean truck, you will get less hassles than if you are in a dirty truck. That doesn't mean that you wash every time you are approaching CA..but if the ride is caked in weeks of grime...your gonna see the inside of the shed.


The "clean" white sheet requirement was not intended for supplying troopers with cover's for dead bodies. It's intent was to provide "clean" material for use as Bandages. Before cell phones and qualcomm, truck driver's were usually the first responders to the scene's of accident's. In the 50's, 60's and 70's the majority of truck driver's were better trained in first aid, than the average person. I was given 3 day's of first aid training, when I started driving in 1974.
How many drivers today, are given even a 1/2 day of first aid training?[/quote]

I have never heard of ANY first aid training given to truck drivers. This is a new one on me. I am trained ( better than most ) but not by any trucking company.

[Jimbpard]

I also agree with Yoopr. I think the clean truck got me through atleast one inspection I can think of.
It's common sense really....If you cant even take care of your truck/keep it clean, what makes them think anything else is gonna be nice and tidy (logs, rest of truck, etc.)