Overweight Violation in IL - Truckers' Trucking Forum

stageguyjoe · **^ Top** #1 07.02.2009

Hello all-

Recently myself and another driver were pulling 9,999lb trailers in downstate IL with pickup trucks(F350/F450) and were written violations for being overweight(Over $2000 combined).

The trailers are registered in Quebec and the scale operator said that the Quebec registration is "non weight bearing" even though it has a weight listed on it in kilograms(= to 9,999).

Because the trailer was "non weight bearing" the truck would have to pick up the combined weight on its registration.

This lead to the F450 being 4160lb over and the F350 being 7900lb over.

We are now faced with paying the fine or going to court.

Does anyone know if Quebec trailer plates are really "non weight bearing"? The Quebec website does not explain much about the trailer registration.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

kajidono · **^ Top** #2 07.03.2009

I'd get a lawyer, get the fines reduced or dismissed (unlikely in the thieving state of Ill), and have the lawyer do all the figuring on where you did or didn't go wrong.

danc694u · **^ Top** #3 07.03.2009

So what I gather here. Your truck registration failed to have the proper weight listed. Correct?

IE You were not permitted to pull those weights, truck and trailer combo. Even if empty.

I could be wrong with your situation. But many people wrongly assume they can pull whatever with their heavy duty trucks.

And I know it seems chicken #### to say that. But you have to have the correct "combo" permits/registration to pull even an empty trailer that exceeds your trucks permitted weight restrictions.

The liability, and restrictions fall upon the tow vehicle. Not the vehicle/trailer being towed. The vehicle/trailer in tow, must meet axle restrictions.

My son in law pulls a travel trailer with an F-350. He is required to have a registration and plates for the truck, that reflect 42,000 lb gross combination.

stageguyjoe · **^ Top** #4 07.03.2009

If the Quebec trailer plates do not have a weight associated with them then yes we were overweight for the truck. But the registration for the trailer does have a weight listed on it.

As a side note: We have the same type of trailer that we own and is registered in IL that has a TD plate on it. A TD plate is good for 10,000 lb so the truck plate doesn't have to cover the weight.

F350 has a D plate. 12000 lb
F450 has a F plate. 16000 lb

Trailer weight: 9999 lb
Quebec Trailer Plate: Need to know if it covers weight (Does have weight listed on it - 9999 lb)

Thanks for trying to help me out. It is kind of a confusing situation and hard to explain.

shredfit1 · **^ Top** #5 07.03.2009

Your kidding right?

Questions:

How on earth did they cite you in the first place?

Rule #1: NEVER pull into a chicken coop with a pickup/trailer combo...

Where in IL did this happen?

LBZ · **^ Top** #6 07.03.2009

The only state you can get away with NOT pulling into the scale house with a commercial p/u trailer combo of that sort of weight is CA.

Mike_MD · **^ Top** #7 07.04.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by stageguyjoe

If the Quebec trailer plates do not have a weight associated with them then yes we were overweight for the truck. But the registration for the trailer does have a weight listed on it.

As a side note: We have the same type of trailer that we own and is registered in IL that has a TD plate on it. A TD plate is good for 10,000 lb so the truck plate doesn't have to cover the weight.

F350 has a D plate. 12000 lb
F450 has a F plate. 16000 lb

Trailer weight: 9999 lb
Quebec Trailer Plate: Need to know if it covers weight (Does have weight listed on it - 9999 lb)

Thanks for trying to help me out. It is kind of a confusing situation and hard to explain.

Sounds to me like there could be some licensing and tax issues. Many assume that if a trailer license plate indicates it is non-expiring the plate is good forever. The non-expiring plate is only valid until the trailer is sold. Once the trailer is sold the title and license plates must be transferred.

The new owner would be required to pay sales tax on the acquired trailer.

Based on Quebec's site it appears the power unit is the source of the allowable weight:

[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

If the vehicles are yours why do they have Quebec plates if you live in Illinois?

Be safe.

Roadmedic · **^ Top** #8 07.04.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by stageguyjoe

If the Quebec trailer plates do not have a weight associated with them then yes we were overweight for the truck. But the registration for the trailer does have a weight listed on it.

As a side note: We have the same type of trailer that we own and is registered in IL that has a TD plate on it. A TD plate is good for 10,000 lb so the truck plate doesn't have to cover the weight.

F350 has a D plate. 12000 lb
F450 has a F plate. 16000 lb

Trailer weight: 9999 lb
Quebec Trailer Plate: Need to know if it covers weight (Does have weight listed on it - 9999 lb)

Thanks for trying to help me out. It is kind of a confusing situation and hard to explain.

I will explain.

I had a D plate. It was illegal for any combination of weight commercially hauled over 12,000 combined weight.

I switched to a H plate which is for 26,000 lbs. The reason for this was explained to me in detail in an Arizona scale. Commercial hauling is not the same as private. It does not matter what the trailer is plated for.

You are subject to commercial hauling weights laws. The power unit is responsible for the weight plate.

As for the fine.

Go to court and explain that the intent was there. Get an attorney. He might charge 200 or 300. Better than the full amount.

Dance694u is correct.

Roadmedic · **^ Top** #9 07.04.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by shredfit1

Your kidding right?

Questions:

How on earth did they cite you in the first place?

Rule #1: NEVER pull into a chicken coop with a pickup/trailer combo...

Where in IL did this happen?

If you are required by the weight limit, you had better pull in.

I know of several drivers with the pickups and trailers that have found the cost associated with bypassing the scale. One was caught with the improper plate and was fined 1800 for the weight and then more for the scale bypass.

The other one was lucky to meet his on the highway through a random.

Roadmedic · **^ Top** #10 07.05.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trans 48

The only state you can get away with NOT pulling into the scale house with a commercial p/u trailer combo of that sort of weight is CA.

Not totally true.

The state requires you to enter if commercial.

Try crossing into California from Yuma during the wee hours of the morning.

Did it once and they weighed every axle on the pickup and the camper. It took 5 minutes to cross the scale.

You have no choice to cross the scale. It is the only lane open.

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