jeffinthebag

I drive a truck on the weekdays. Last week the Pennsylvania State DOT officers were radomly pulling over commercial trucks a like always right after the toll both at the bridge. But I noticed they were also pulling over a few pickups with regular travel trailer also. When I asked why, they said Pennsylvania state laws also include "large recreational " vehicles too. They were weighing them and warning them and letting them go if they were over weight (once your in the DOT system, your plate number stays there forever. Next time it's no warning!).
My question is, what would you do when they say drop it and leave it here till a appropriate truck arrives or when you realize the ticket is several thousand for let's say 1000 lbs over.

Watt-maker

I've seen NM DOT do this a few times. If it happened to me within 200 miles of my house, no big deal. Most my friends have 3/4 or 1 ton trucks anyway. The fine would suck still though. Out of state would be another issue. I suppose I could wait for a friend, trade the trailer, or trade the truck. Either will cost some big bucks.

superdave150

if your weight is close then dumping freshwater and groceries, and move stuff around until you are good.

dougbattaglia

We were stopped in BC with our 3/4 ton and original trailer. I was 500# over gross and it was all in the trailer, they allowed us to move the extra weight to my wife's van and luckily no ticket.
In BC they will make you park it and get a bigger truck or a tow truck.

ArcticGabe

So do they just weigh the trailer axle and determine if you are overweight based on the trailer capacity, or do they weigh all 3 axles and base it on GCWR? Do they actually determine tow vehicle axle loadings, too?

jeffinthebag

The one in Pennsylvania they weighed all the axels for the total combined weight.

superdave150

Being the son of a professional trucker - this is an issue which the pros take VERY seriously but the rest of us do not. In fact there are many times when guys actually brag about the fact that they run overloaded.

dougbattaglia

In BC if they run you over a scale they weigh each axle and get the total, if they set up portable scales they weigh one axle at a time and check the door tags and trailer tag

User-One

I think the fine in Ontario is $1 per pound and they ALWAYS give you the ticket.

I was told they have mobile weight stations that they carry with them. There was a guy that stopped at a gas station or grocery store and when he got back they weighed the truck and trailer and where waiting for him with the ticket.

Generally they won't pull you over unless they see your vehicle heavily sagging.

It's kind of irritating that my f150 can comfortably take 2200-2500 pounds properly distributed yet its only legally rated for 1750.

smurfs_of_war

This is why I appreciate Sask being largely agricultural/ backwoods.