Towing thru South Dakota

[Jim W]

Hey Guys, I have a question for those who have towed thru SD. I was reading in the 2008 Woodall's North American Campground Directory about rules of the road for different states. In the directory, the directory states: Weight-Station Requirements: All towed vehicles, motor trucks or trailers over 8,000 LBS most stop. Can you tell me if this is correct? I have checked the SD GOV web site but could not find this information. The reason I am asking is that my DW and I are planning on camping in Hill CIty, SD in our 5er this July. ( We are going regardless of fuel price unless it is at 10. 00 a gallon). I am trying to plan out our trip and stops along with fuel stops and this will be taken in to account.



Thanks in advance for any information.

 

[GAmes]

I just went thru SD and that is what the signs say. Generally speaking, only commercial vehicles have to go thru them but it will only cost you a couple minutes of your time to drive thru. You could always stop and ask them point blank if the sign means ALL vehicles, or just commercial.

 

[JOdell]

I was in SD last year with my Ram towing a 16' tandem flat bed with 2 ATV's on it. I didn't stop. I didn't get a ticket. I figured heck the truck weighs 8000 pounds by itself. -Jason

 

[TAbbott]

Last year, just before Christmas, I was headed south on US 183 just NW of Wimmer, SD. There's a scale just east of the 183 / 18 jctn and the sign made particular reference that RV's must stop. Since the scale was closed anyway, no biggie, but if it had been open, then yes, I suppose they would have wanted you to stop, at that one anyway.

 

[JGilbert]

Two summers ago we towed our 5th wheel trailer to SD and back. Did not have to stop for anything except sightseeing and diesel.

Joezilla

 

[Forrest Nearing]

drive at night?

 

[JGilbert]

We did drive from the Deadwod casinos back to Custer at night. Kinda scary coming up on a full size Elk buck on the road at 65 mph. Definitely puckered my rear. ha

Joezilla

 

[GAmes]

Try calling this guy; Lt. Kevin Karley, SD Hwy Patrol, 605-394-2286



He made an entry that the western scale on I-90 is closed. He is the guy to get a permit from and should be able to answer your question.



Let us know what he says.

 

[icman95]

Yeah, do get back to us on that. I went through last year with my 5er and didn't scale it once. Don't even remember if any were open. I know each state is different, but usually that stuff is just for commercial vehicles. Though I did hear from one person that some western states are prone to randomly checking RVs, I haven't really run into anyone that can confirm that.

 

[Jim W]

Thanks, I will call tomorrow after work and ask for Lt Kevin Karley and I will post the results here.



Thanks Again

 

[icman95]

Just thought of this: Some states have the signs that say who must stop followed by "RV's Excepted". Maybe this is where some confusion comes in.

 

[jelag]

I was stopped with an empty truck and trailer that was close to 11,000 lbs... I was on personal business at the time...

The cop suggested that I was crossing the fog line... I, in fact was... there was a huge pile of snow in the center of the freeway and I was staying on or over the fog line to avoid the snow... there was no other traffic at the time except the cop and me...

He never mentioned the scale house or if I should have stopped... I wasn't speeding or doing anything else wrong...

He than asked if I minded if his dog walked around my trailer and fuel tank in the bed... he called it a tool box... I suggested that if he had any brains he could look into the bottom of the tank with a flashlight and could easily walk around the trailer and see that there was no place to hide stuff but to be my guest... .

I rolled the window back up and turned up the heater for the next 30 minutes while he snooped around with the dog...

He suggested that I fit the profile of a drug runner... . white, 60 years old, gray haired, a little over weight with a bill of sale for a vehicle I was going to pick up in another state... I also suggested that I thought that profiling was against the law... ...

That's my story and I'm sticking to it... .

 

[TAbbott]

In Nevada, at least, it's not illegal to cross the fog line while driving. It is supposedly an infraction if you cross the yellow line to the left of the hammer lane on a 4 lane or greater highway... .

 

[KBalzuweit]

I run trailers to Mitchell, SD (Jacks RV) and never scale. My theory and what I was told more than once unless it specifically tells you to stop, or you are over 26k then roll on by.

 

[Okie-Go]

I took a 32 ft tandem dual trailer to Minot last summer. The scales I passed were closed so I didn't have to stop. After I delivered the trailer of course it was just a personal vehicle. Went over to Mount Rushmore then over to Wyoming and headed for home.

 

[Jim W]

I got home today and called the SD Motor Carrier division. The person on the other end stated that RV's are exempt. She that asked where I got my information and I stated that Wodall's mention this in their state by state coverage of the rules of the road. She stated that some times people do not read the law correctly and pass on misinformation. I hope this clears this up and thanks again for the input. Spending the kids inheritance on fuel.