Regulations regarding scales

I don't think there are any specific state laws except where posted locally with signs. That said, you're practically wearing a flashing neon sign that says "I'm very likely running illegal" in many locations. So it's a risk/reward choice

 

What gets you into trouble is jumping off at the exit right before a scale, and getting back on immediately after. There was one scale where they'd have an unmarked car sitting on the off ramp above the scale, and he'd radio down to another unit sitting on the on ramp south of the scale. If you made that trip too quickly, you'd get a hefty fine and directed back to the scale for an inspection. I'd always swing into the little fuel stop in town for a splash of fuel and a bite to eat...then continue on down the road, and I was never bothered. Even if they HAD stopped me, I had a legitimate reason (and receipts to prove it) for having exited where I did and re-entering where I was, as a right turn out of that fuel stop was easier than making the left to get back on where I had exited.

If you are on a legal truck route, there really isn't much they can do as long as you don't make it obvious that you're intentionally going around the scales.

 

...but as for the regs, you won't find them in the little green book. Each state has their own rule book, and that's where you'll have to look.

 

There aint no law that says avoid this or that scales.

you are essentially wearing a NEON sign on your whole rig saying that you run illegally and have a very good reason to run or avoid scales all together. Remember many Policemen can radio up a car that carries little bathroom scales, only that these weigh in tons under each one of your steers and dual tires....

There are scales that are very... *Chooses words carefully... BIG on enforcement for the smallest infractions. Even better if they find something to put cuffs on you. Some scales advertise themselves as safe haven, but I hardly ever, maybe once in my entire life have I driven into one of those to get some sleep. I told that DOT man regardless of being open or shut in the morning Im out of here. He had no problem with that. So it worked for me once.

I have gone into scales that rightfully had me cold. They could have started writing a stack of tickets. Sometimes they did. I have in one case broke a scale. I was that heavy. They could only write to a very large 6 digit number last read a moment the thing broke at. Sometimes there was a problem and they generate a situation or a work around to cut me a big break. Certain scales I learned not to be around. Example Dumfries on 95 south of DC.

Learned to run either 301 US or US 15 in the woods (It had a set of scales 100 yards west on US 50 at that intersection... Ive only been inspected and weighed one time on the NB US 15 dirt pad past the traffic light when I failed to turn left to approach and weigh at that open scale... In many years bushes and trees overgrew between 15 and that scalehouse. Did I see it? nope... be on my way. Dumfries ceased to be a fixture in my trucking life. (I had containers for seacans, and a 99K permit for both VA and MD, constantly heavy constantly over and over weight... so they write and write again tomorrow. Hand in tickets to dispatcher come back in morning for a nother virginia run.... ugh.

In the old days there were many platform scales. That rest area you are sleeping in under the meadow and forested areas now peacefully contains the remains of the old platform under your pavement and wheels. What is left are the memories in my head there. One time I was super heavy and hung the outside wheels off that platform in a driving rainstorm the DOT man across the 95 highway could not see *&^% except a number less than 80000 pounds. Green light thank you.... It was crazy back then.

I have had policemen run around me in my slower than usual tractor trailer uphill, open the scale in my face. BINGO. 2000 pound overgross. ticket please. Just because I had to carry that weight upgrade at only 17 mph holding mr policeman up who knows #### well I usually pulled that one at around 22.. what a clue...

 

I know the staties in PA would nab us now and then on our way to the Ollies DC in Harrisburg, PA. They would be in the rest area right before the Casino exit on I81 (exit 80 I think? The one after the TA at exit 77) doing their thing and we'd get off at exit 77 and run US 22 over to the warehouse. They'd swear up and down we were avoiding the scales, give us inspections, and tell us not to do it again. After the 3rd time it happening to one guy the folks at Keen Transport (was with Cressler Trucking, owned by Keen) placed a few calls to some muckety mucks in Harrisburg and that stopped. Was kind of miffed though, to be honest. Was an easy clean level 1 inspection and a free $75 for 30 minutes of hassle. Lol

They never did tell us what law were violating, but then we never got a ticket so we never asked either. *shrug* Honestly, you don't need some BS excuse to inspect us, geesh.

 

The rest area on the hill correct?

They occasionally took it over back in the 80s now and then. Pull into the old 76 and have a set a while.

 

Broke a scale. Your tales just keep getting taller.

 

That was the one.