Random Weight Checks in Kalifornia? Elseware?

[dresslered]

I was just informed that the California CHP has now started performing random weight checks on pickup trucks (including those carrying campers or towing trailers) in California using a portable scale. I have heard that these have been used along highway 5. Has anyone else heard of or experienced this?



Even though my truck handles a Bigfoot 3000 just fine, I am slightly on the other side of the GVWR. I have heard of Canada doing this but never in the states. :{

 

[roadranger]

I would think that as long as you don't look overweight ie; tail dragging, blowing clouds of smoke, tires squished flat, etc. that they wouldn't bother with the RV pickups.

Commercial pickups are another matter.



They make LOTS more money writing tickets for the overweight 18 wheelers.

 

[Prostock]

PA has done this for years.

 

[E7mack96]

roadside weight checks

here in Ohio, they love to pull you over and weigh you. Once, the DOT (Opie) took me to the CAT Scales at exit 29 on I-75 cause his scales were dead. Only 5,060 lbs. over and it cost me $290. 00:--)

 

[Shovelhead]

Re: roadside weight checks

Originally posted by E7mack96

here in Ohio, they love to pull you over and weigh you. Once, the DOT (Opie) took me to the CAT Scales at exit 29 on I-75 cause his scales were dead. Only 5,060 lbs. over and it cost me $290. 00:--)

Am I reading that right?



Only 2 1/2 tons overweight.

 

[JWhitcomb]

Heading up I5 tonight looking like the Jode family, sure to draw thier attention. Only about 1000 #'s over. Who has had this happen while carrying a slide in? And what happened?

 

[dresslered]

Seems to me that if you have a camper that says Bigfoot "3000" (or any of the other "BIG" major brands) that it is a given that you are overweight! What truck was intended to carry these things anyway? I've been thinking about removing my "3000" decals and installing "1500" decals in their place.



Don't worry Jim, my sister has travelled around looking like the Clampett's for years.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Re: roadside weight checks

Originally posted by E7mack96

here in Ohio, they love to pull you over and weigh you. Once, the DOT (Opie) took me to the CAT Scales at exit 29 on I-75 cause his scales were dead. Only 5,060 lbs. over and it cost me $290. 00:--)

You got away cheap. I got weighed grossing 84k when PA was still 73280 back around 1980. Cost the boss about $2400. Good thing I was running light that day.

 

[sheldon]

I haven't seen the Highway Patrol temporary scales yet. I don't think they have the manpower to do this on a large scale anyway so the odds are slim you would get caught. I have seen local cities do this but only to commercial enterprises like construction and landscaping. They ignore the RVs.

 

[JHerrlich]

About a year ago, they dragged out the portable scales up in Northern Kalifornia and were hitting the big trucks all the time. There was always a truck pulled over somewhere along a 50 mile stretch of I-5 just south of Red Bluff. I never saw any pickups pulled over to get weighed. I don't think it's profitable enough for them. They don't even have enough money to keep their aircraft in the air for speed enforcement.

 

[Deezul1]

I havnt lived in Calif for 7 years and things may have changed but I used to haul a 14,000lb 5th wheel with a 3/4 ton 4x4 and only got pulled over once by truck enforcment as he wanted to check my safety chains, he finally figured out the fivers didnt require saftey chains and never even asked about weight and this was the guy with the portable scales in his truck.

 

[Bug Out]

They start that stuff here,I'll

Flee with "political refugee status" to a NORMAL surrounding state, sooner then planned. (Looking to leave early next year anyhow)



God Bless California..... It needs it...



Born and raised here. I can't believe what it turned into... LOL

 

[Dkevdog]

I have several CHP buddies I can ask about this- I seriously doubt they are after "us" unless you're driving a work truck or utility body. I have only seen portable scale setups (Anaheim has them and love to catch the local bobtail delivery trucks) used to go after commercial traffic. As was said earlier in the thread, I doubt they have the man power or motivation to really care.



Kev

 

[E7mack96]

84k, thats tiny

QRTRHRS, I have been busted weighing 112,000 in my dump truck. It is only legal for 69,000 in Ohio. That is 43,000 OVER WEIGHT!!:--) Was on a dirt job for CJ&L construction. They paid all overweights, Thank God!!



THe biggest I had to pay was 21,000Lbs and some change to city of Fairfield. It cost $1300. 00 or so. Took all week to make that up!



Funny thing, That Mack runs great at these high weights. Don't even know its on there.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Re: 84k, thats tiny

Originally posted by E7mack96

Funny thing, That Mack runs great at these high weights. Don't even know its on there.

You bet. I was hauling cedar out of Ontario with a Cruiseliner with a little 300 six speed. Geared real low though, only topped at 62. Anyway, in the spring when the sap would come up, I could easily get up into the 90's. We would have scaled but there just were none available.

 

[wcjp]

I've heard they are checking P/U's for weight status in the Tacoma area. Near Graham for the locals.

 

[Sageair]

For what it's worth in Nevada they will only weigh a private vehicle when you are hauling livestock and they don't care diddly what the G. V. W of your truck is that is only a warranty issue to them. They do care what weight your truck is licensed for. I have my 2500 licensed for 18,000 lbs. I do tow six horses regularly. I t makes for expensive license fees but not as bad as killer ticket.

 

[fmj]

I've done some hauling along I5, I15 and I60 in LA area, and I10 to Arizona border and haven't seen anything that looks like the CHP stopping us. The only pickups stopped by CHP are the ones doing 70+. I asked some friends that have gone up to the Pleasenton, SF area if they noticed anything and they said they saw nothing. Do beware of the CHP's new white Cameros as you'll never see them coming. The red/blue lights are so areo dynamic that they are almost hidden. Long haulers running 70+ will verify that. Will keep eye out if I notice anything and will post. Going to Blythe this weekend with car hauler.

 

[gwizpro]

There has been a lot of activity by the CHP on routes 14 and 58 in the Lancaster and Mojave areas.



Portable scales at random locations. Big rigs only at this time. No RV's



The RackMan

 

[WadePatton]

Not in TN

I've never seen or heard of a non-commercial vehicle being checked for weight around here. The fuel nazis may check you, but that's about it.



But they do go after big rigs dodging the scale houses. They even have specially marked "Commercial Vehicle Enforcement" cars. They don't even look at anything with less than 3 axles.