How come NO ONE talks about the importance of weight scales?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by NewNashGuy, Feb 16, 2012.

  1. NewNashGuy

    NewNashGuy Road Train Member

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    I did see the Quick Trip and there is one reason why I didn't go to it... the first QT I went to had a truck stop and I really liked it near Kansas City. The next time I found a QT, I got off the exit, just to see that the QT was a regular gas station. After the first one I thought they were all truck stops, but I was wrong. There was no where to turn around at all. I got nervous and actually back out into a street to get turned around.

    So when I saw that QT I didn't want to risk getting stuck again. I was looking for the obvious truck stops, the TA, Petro, Pilot, or Flying J. I explained this to the DOT officer and he said there aren't any truck stops like that for 50 miles or so. So yeah I screwed up but I tell you what today I broke out the Atlas, CB, and GPS and avoided the highways and interstates until I got weighed. That is my main focus now. Sadly I would have done these things regardless even if I just got a warning and learned the seriousness of it.

    Also for some reason some of you guys think I just barged in there and cursed the DOT officers out. I was very polite, respectable, agreed with everything they said, and told them I was inexperienced and only drove for two weeks. Even after they gave me the ticket he said he knew that it was a mistake and that I wasn't being lazy but he still gave me a ticket.
     
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  3. Giggles the Original

    Giggles the Original Road Train Member

    *stomps foot*...i ALWAYS miss all the fun threads!!!! ..i wish just once i could read what was said BEFORE it was deleted!!!!!!
     
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  4. Wargames

    Wargames Captain Crusty

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    When you dont know what to do, call your company, and ask them. you are in charge of that truck. Good Luck.
     
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  5. IraqVetTX

    IraqVetTX Light Load Member

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    I guess the "importance" of scales always seemed obvious to me. Then again I grew up in a cow truck. But still it seems that everyone that gets into trucking would understand the need to be the proper weight or at least go around the scales.

    I did run into an incident in Sandusky, OH. There was a CRST Van driver who drove on the CAT scal, came in for a ticket and asked the lady at the counter what the numbers meant. Then she asked if she was good or not. The girl at the counter said I don't know so the driver start asking people standing in line about the CAT ticket and how to slide the tandems and the fifth wheel, yada yada. All along the lovely CRST truck was still siting on the scale...:biggrin_2554:

    So maybe the schools aren't teaching about scales, but like I said, it seems sorta obvious.
     
  6. Giggles the Original

    Giggles the Original Road Train Member

    i try to be nice...really i do, i am just so much better at being rotten!!!!:biggrin_25522:, it comes natural....lol, good advice wargames...we all were new at one time and nervous and didnt know what to do.....i think why some of the older drivers on here get mad is becuz someone asks for advice, then they get it, then they wanna argue with the older driver...seems like to me, if you are new, or newer, and asking for advice, you should be listening and not arguing....these older guys and gals have a lot to offer...i was the same the way... "hey dont tell me" but then i would think a minute...hey maybe i need to listen, once i stopped being so defensive, i learned a whole lot more...i didnt like being called wet behind the ears...but it was THE TRUTH....then i got to where i would listen to any older driver every chance i got....didnt always take the advice they had to offer, but most times did!!!! they have a lot to offer...try listening...
     
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  7. kajidono

    kajidono Road Train Member

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    Overweight ticket still doesn't carry any points (right?) so don't worry about it. Get you a guide, ask on the cb, whatever you gotta do. Now you know not to pull into a scale when you know you're overweight.

    Also scale a few loads and see what you weigh vs what the weight gauge says. Even if you only base it on what the gauge says is on your tandems, you'll learn how to tell what the whole thing weighs based on tandem weight and how the truck is pulling. After a while you don't need to scale most loads to know whether you're legal or not.
     
  8. NewNashGuy

    NewNashGuy Road Train Member

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    I always thought those scales were to make sure your gross weight wasn't over 80000 and to check your stickers so that is why the per axle weight threw me off.
     
  9. IraqVetTX

    IraqVetTX Light Load Member

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    Well I reckon that your training school and/or trainer let you down on that one. At least you know now, right?
     
  10. NewNashGuy

    NewNashGuy Road Train Member

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    I don't have a weigh guage on my tandems
     
  11. Wargames

    Wargames Captain Crusty

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    You work for your company, ask them to show you how to load a truck, how to adjust the weight back and forth. The only thing we can tell you, is what your allowed per axle. Every load is different, we have no idea what your loading. Call your company and tell them you feel the load is heavy, what should I do. This puts the blame on them. You asked them. When you are done loading, and you feel bad about the weight, tell them, Your not comfortable with the load. Refuse all overweights. Are you loading pillows, plants, Beer, tires, Machinery? We have no idea. So basicly, you cant even ask this question.
     
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