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Gorrillasnot
Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 186
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 10:07 pm Post subject: Scale question? |
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Part of my job is to shuttle trucks between 4 dealerships owned by the same company.
Yesterday I was told to take a tractor to a dealership in Fort Wayne, IN. I knew there would be a scale on the south bound side of I69 which I would be going past with another tractor for the return trip, so I asked the bossman if I had to scale even though I was just bobtailing and he said no.
I went past the scale later that day with no hassles. I asked a trucker friend of mine about it and he said he was pretty sure you are suppose to scale even if your just bobtailing. The scale house was pretty full when I went past it, so now I'm thinking either they were to busy to worry with me or the bossman was right and bobtails don't need to scale.
What do you all think.....are you suppose to scale when bobtailing local?
thanks |
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Fourcats
Joined: 08 Jul 2006
Posts: 115
Location: Longview, Washington
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| Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 10:54 pm Post subject: |
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The boss should have given you some knowledge {like numbers} along with "no", as to weights of vehicles that are required to scale.
Or you can give him some input, when your ticketed.
I would have scaled. |
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Malaki86
Joined: 28 Aug 2004
Posts: 2104
Location: West Virginia
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| Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 12:30 am Post subject: |
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| Bobtail or not, you're in a commercial vehicle - all cmv's must scale. Let's just say you're lucky that they didn't come after you with the disco lights lighting up the night. |
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Flatspot
Joined: 25 Sep 2006
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 5:49 am Post subject: |
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Every state I've driven in has signs along the highway with information for the general driving public, as well as for commercial drivers.
When you get near the scales, the signs tell you that states requirments (usually boils down to weight). If your bobtail weighs less that what's posted on the sign, you don't have to scale, unless the sign also says something like "all trucks must weigh". |
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Douglas
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 251
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| Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 5:53 am Post subject: |
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Your best bet would be to stop and scale, just in case.
Do you also have to weigh in on the scale if you're in a straight truck? |
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Flatspot
Joined: 25 Sep 2006
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 6:01 am Post subject: |
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| Straight trucks have the same axle weight limits as articulated trucks. Watch the signs; they will tell you the minimum weight that has to scale. Most I've seen are in the 4 to 6 ton minimum range has to weigh. |
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Windwalker
Joined: 22 Oct 2005
Posts: 3003
Location: Holiday, FL
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| Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 7:29 am Post subject: |
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| Watch the signs as you approach the scale. Often, they will say something like: ALL TRUCKS OVER 6 TONS MUST WEIGH. So, if your bobtail is over 12,000, You'd better cross the scale. And, that GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). If you're driving a tandem tractor, you're nearly that on the steers alone. |
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Uturn2001
Joined: 10 Jan 2005
Posts: 4653
Location: East Central IL between the corn and the beans
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| Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 8:51 am Post subject: |
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Read the signs approaching the scales.
Some will say all commercail vehicles, some will say all trucks over "X" weight, some will say something like empty truck OK to bypass.
Your bobtail truck will weigh between 15,000-20,000 lbs (7.5 tons-10 tons).
If you are really unsure if you need to scale when they are open simply pull in and park and walk inside and talk to the scale master. S/he will be happy to answer any questions you may have about that state's laws for CMV's. |
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movinit
Joined: 21 Apr 2006
Posts: 429
Location: Changes by the minute
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| Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 9:05 am Post subject: |
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Read the signs, or even better ASK the scalehouse.
I saw a sign the other day that said "Pickups with trailers must weight". When we rented a rental moving truck a few months ago we had to sign a form stating we were being made aware that we had to stop at the scales in all states. You never know who they want to see. |
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syl77dar
Joined: 09 Jul 2006
Posts: 371
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| Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 10:13 am Post subject: good luck |
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| good luck |
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Gorrillasnot
Joined: 28 Nov 2005
Posts: 186
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 12:21 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks everyone for setting me straight.
They probably let me slide 'cause the ramp to the scale was full enough I'd of been on the shoulder of the interstate.
thanks |
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kc0iv
Joined: 03 Feb 2005
Posts: 1113
Location: Kansas City, MO
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| Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 2:26 pm Post subject: Re: I always stop bobtail or not |
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syl77dar wrote: You really are lucky you didn't have police lights chasing you, in Missouri they would have chased your behind down and ticketed you and possibly given you a trip to jail do not pass go!
That was the reason I went around MO scales. They are a real pain. Most are real easy to go around. I-44 out of ST. Louis is the hardest but it can be done.
I don't care now. I'm retired.
kc0iv |
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