In California, the sign before the weight stations say, "No pickup trucks". Yet, according to California Vehicle Code, Division 1, Section 471, my F350 drw with gvwr of 11,500 does not qualify as a pickup truck.
Pickup Truck
471. A "pickup truck" is a motor truck with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less than 11,500 pounds, an unladen weight of less than 8,001 pounds, and which is equipped with an open box-type bed not exceeding 9 feet in length. "Pickup truck" does not include a motor vehicle otherwise meeting the above definition, that is equipped with a bed-mounted storage compartment unit commonly called a "utility body."
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2001 F350 XLT 4X4, shift on the fly, 38 gal fuel tank, running boards, sliding rear window, black, crew cab, long bed, 4.10, automatic transmission, 11,500 gvwr, 20,000 gcwr, 7500 gvw, dual rear wheels, 7.3l turbo diesel, completely stock, 114,00 miles when purchased, now has 125,000 miles, repairs so far: starter, batteries, cps.
2005 Nomad Rampage toyhauler made by Skyline. 11,500lb gvwr.
I have always been told, if your not for hire, do not stop at weigh stations
So, according to your thinking. If I owned Domino's Pizza and ran about 1000 semi trucks down the road delivering only my own products as a Private Carrier who is not for hire. Since I am "not for hire" because I only haul my own product, and don't haul for anybody else I can skip the scales all together??????
I am thinking somebody needs to look up the legal definition according to the DOT boys regarding the term "not for hire". I have said it before, and now I will say it again. This term is being used entirely inaccurately on this board, and is definitely not a get out of jail for free pass.
OP, you were given some good advise above. Roll into the scales, stop and ask what the local law is. My personal opinion would be NO you don't need to roll the scales, but you will ultimately be responsible for your actions, not me, savvy?
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Just eating rainbows and butterflies
If I owned Domino's Pizza and ran about 1000 semi trucks down the road delivering only my own products as a Private Carrier who is not for hire. Since I am "not for hire" because I only haul my own product, and don't haul for anybody else I can skip the scales all together??????
You are not for hire but are still "in commerce", therefore you would be driving a commercial vehicle and subject to regulations as such, including stopping at scales.
In addition - a commercial vehicle is defined as follows.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations have defined a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) as noted below.
CMV definition:
Commercial motor vehicle means any vehicle operated in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle—
(1) Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 10,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater; or
(2) Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
(3) Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
(4) Is used in transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding.
Individual states may or may not adopt the federal standard, however as I highlighted in the definition, you are not operating a commercial vehicle unless you are in commerce. Individual states still may require you to pull into the weigh stations though, its a state by state issue on who must stop irregardless of private or commercial. In most states though, only commercial vehicles must stop.
In California, the sign at the weigh station says that rental moving vans must stop. I guess that if you don't own the vehicle yourself, and are renting it, then it is a commercial vehicle. Apparently, if you owned a similar vehicle yourself, and were using it to carry your own personal property, not for hire, then you wouldn't have to be weighed.
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2001 F350 XLT 4X4, shift on the fly, 38 gal fuel tank, running boards, sliding rear window, black, crew cab, long bed, 4.10, automatic transmission, 11,500 gvwr, 20,000 gcwr, 7500 gvw, dual rear wheels, 7.3l turbo diesel, completely stock, 114,00 miles when purchased, now has 125,000 miles, repairs so far: starter, batteries, cps.
2005 Nomad Rampage toyhauler made by Skyline. 11,500lb gvwr.
I drive commercially, so I have to stop, but I am not covering the states like you might be doing. I would play it safe, and check with each State that you are driving through.
Why ask for trouble. All the info should be on the internet.
I'm a mechanic for smusd in San Marcos Ca. and must maintain a commercial B lisense. I pull a 30' warrior bumper pull that weighs approx 13k to 15k lbs. The law states that in order to pull anything over 10k by the bumper, or 15k in the bed (5th wheel) the driver must hold a non-commercial A. Now since you can not have 2 classifications, I have to get a commercial A. Funny thing is that on the way home from the sierras last week I was pulled over by a CHP for a seatbelt violation and he only sited me for the belt violation, not anything about the commercial A. And from what I've heard they are hot and heavy about nailing people driving out of there classification. So my point is it depends upon the officer and whether he or she got laid the night before!!!!
I'm a mechanic for smusd in San Marcos Ca. and must maintain a commercial B lisense. I pull a 30' warrior bumper pull that weighs approx 13k to 15k lbs. The law states that in order to pull anything over 10k by the bumper, or 15k in the bed (5th wheel) the driver must hold a non-commercial A. Now since you can not have 2 classifications, I have to get a commercial A. Funny thing is that on the way home from the sierras last week I was pulled over by a CHP for a seatbelt violation and he only sited me for the belt violation, not anything about the commercial A. And from what I've heard they are hot and heavy about nailing people driving out of there classification. So my point is it depends upon the officer and whether he or she got laid the night before!!!!
It also depends on the regulations in your licensing state. For instance, Michigan does not have any special licensing requirements based on load or vehicle. I can get a Volvo 6XX series tractor and tow a heavy horse trailer for non-commercial purposes ie. hauling my horses to a show or for vacation. The tractor is converted to a single axle but still has air brakes and is registered as a motorhome. That vehicle/trailer combination is legally registered in Michigan and because of reciprocity can be driven legally in any state. Talk about a confusing mess!
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2002 F350 Lariat CC 4x4 Auto 4.10 DRW, DP-Tuner F5 live tuned stock, quiet, 40dd, 40, 60, 80 tow, 80e and 120r, B&W GN, BrakeSmart, 'pooned tank, tank and pre-pump mods, 2µ Dahl 100 filter, regulated return, BTS dual HPOP, AC singles with EDM 34 lpm nozzles, AIS, H2e, Spearco 6.0 IC, Hypermax 3.5" dp--> MBRP 4" 304SS exhaust, BTS tranny, 203º T-stat, Chevron ELC, coolant filter, Oilguard bypass with Schaeffer 9000, WranglerNW 200 amp alternator & Optima group 31 batteries, Nippon-Denso starter, SPA gauges, SteveRacer mods, Hella 80/100W 9007s, Hella Micro DE foglights, 1000FF driving lights, 220W backup lights, Stancor contactor, Michelin XPS Traction tires, X-Springs, Bilstein shox, custom bumpers but otherwise stock. Nov 30 '99 build engine with 16 K miles, Fluidampr, Comp Cam 910 springs, Melling LPOP and ARP headstuds. Alien-Patrol Customer Service Sucks!
Fines vary a lot from state to state also. For example, I was pulled over for expired registration in Kentucky, and the fine was $500. I was pulled over for expired registration in California, and the fine was $10.
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2001 F350 XLT 4X4, shift on the fly, 38 gal fuel tank, running boards, sliding rear window, black, crew cab, long bed, 4.10, automatic transmission, 11,500 gvwr, 20,000 gcwr, 7500 gvw, dual rear wheels, 7.3l turbo diesel, completely stock, 114,00 miles when purchased, now has 125,000 miles, repairs so far: starter, batteries, cps.
2005 Nomad Rampage toyhauler made by Skyline. 11,500lb gvwr.
I need an answer also wheather I 'am llegal or not. Last year I was going down to Memphis and was pulled over for speeding down in S. Illinois and it was the fastest ticket i ever got, all they did is scaned my licence or something and I was off and running. I'm running down the road close to 15-16k (they checked nothing)
Bud Man has the Illinois weight wrong, it is all trucks over 8 tons, 16,000 lbs. He is going to love this.
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02 F350 Lariat CrewCab Toreador Red/ Silver DRW AT 4X4 4.10 gears, BTS custom chip, and tranny. built BTS and Ford Tough! 752,243 miles
SOLD: 02 F350 Lariat CC Toreador Red, DRW AT 4.10 gears, BTS custom chip, and Tranny 214,550 miles,Built BTS, and Ford Tough!
Sold 94 XLT SC DI DRW 5Speed 314,000
04 Grand Marquis LS sure wish it had a BTS!
Lifetime Member "BTS BUBBA" Association
"Ain't no feelin like BTS mobilin"
SLAPS Member
62 Corvair 95 Bus
In Texas, teh towbar sign is because there are a lot of Mexican nationals, that buy two vehicles up here, load them up with garage sale goods, and then take them south of the border for resale. So, if they all have to go through the scales, they can make a safety assessment, which is VERY necessary and send them on their way, with the hope they dont kill anyone
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New addition:
2006 f-550 service body with a 20 foot stellar crane.
Arrest me red 2006 F-250 6.0 Even more loaded
Black 2000 F-250 4X4 PSD Lariat, loaded.
Green 2001 4x4 Excursion Limited with PSD, loaded
White 2004 F-250XL, it is loaded with just a LS. I can't find the other options.:P
Great i should of never read this thread, now im more confused than ever... though i take it that the best to do would be to just stop at the coops and turn the CB off so you dont get an ear full if your in error.
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~ Mike
2008 BLACK F350 XLT RC SRW 4x4, 6.4, Auto,3.73ls, ManualTransferCase,PTC-Heater. Pic's She is Sweet...
DORA recieved:9/14/07 || ReceiptDate:9/14/07 || SerializeDate:11/01/07 || SegmentDate:11/01/07 || SequenceDate:11/10/07 || BlendDate:11/13/2007 || GesitmatedBuildWeek: 12/10 || ProducedDate:11/21/07 || GateRelease:11/21/07 || ShipDate:11/24/07 || ArrivalDate:11/30/07 || SoldDate:11/30/07 ||
Here in MN the Commercial Police sit on the side of the road and make you stop for inspection. A few years they got me this way but gave me 7 warning tickets.
Last month wasn't so lucky with a Sherrif. This time got 3 warnings and 3 tickets.
No health card, no DOT numbers, and inoperable break away breaks, $555 total.
Went to court on Monday. The judge dropped the DOT number and break away break tickets and bumped the health card ticket to $215.
A friend of mine hauls from WI to MN daily. He's been weighed once and when he drives through the weight station they just look at his DOT number.
When you haul for a business and if you are fined while driving they fine you and not the business. Guy at court the other day had to pay some hefty fines for what sounded like an accident while towing for a company.
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99(4/99)F350 PSD 4X4 crew cab long bed dually lariat isspro triple pod air bags with compressor
99(6/99)F250 PSD 4X4 X-cab short bed xlt 5in str8 piped air bags autometer ultra light triple pod junk yard pcm running 22 psi 250k miles bought 8/15/01 w/40k miles first diesel
00(12/99)Excursion PSD 4X4 limited
65 Mustang 289 V8 4brl 69 GTO 400 4spd 99 Neon R/T
04 and 09 PJ 15k dump trailer 04 H&H 9K tilt bed 98 Haulmark 7x14 enclosed
Re: California Regulations for RV's
Go to the California DMV website and look up "Recreational Vehicles and Trailers Handbook".
It's all right there - INCLUDING THE NON-COMMERCIAL CLASS A License requirements. You need one of those to be legal when towing a bumper pull with a GVWR over 10K lbs or a 5th wheel/gooseneck over 15K GVWR.
I've been sweatin' the same issue.
I just built my own two-car hauler and pull it with an F250 pick-up.
I wanted to pimp the trailer with some cool shop logos and "not for hire" stickers but someone told me that would make me a commercial hauler. Even though I'm haulin' my own cars with my own truck to my own shop. It's crazy.
If you make it look commercial with all the signs, you'll do exactly what you want, sort of. You'll attract attention. Problem is, you'll also get attention from enforcement officers who may determine, in their minds, that you are a commercial hauler according to some law that was passed years ago that nobody remembers.
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Greg & Jo Ann Surratt
Enjoying Champagne on the King Ranch
2006 King Ranch F-350 CC LB Dually Diesel 4x4
2007 Champagne Edition Nuwa HitchHiker
Bus
though i take it that the best to do would be to just stop at the coops and turn the CB off so you dont get an ear full if your in error.
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