Scale Ettiquette

DOT thinks all truckers are spose to know this.They forget about the new drivers.

 

What's a scale?

 

Or that EVERY #### state has a different procedure, I would think that with ALL of the rule making going on that they should have no problem making ALL scale procedures the same, esp, since it is FEDERAL AND STATE monies that operate them.

 

It is also frustrating as you never know what kind of mood the DOT guy is in. A couple of weeks ago, got pulled around back in Louisiana. Took all paperwork in to interrogation room, AKA DOT coop, all was fine. I asked politely why I was given the privilege of making his acquaintance to which he replied you didn't stop completely on the scales. I again politely mentioned that either did the 5 trucks ahead of me and the sign said to cross at 5MPH. He then states to me that my truck and company was unfamiliar to him. He goes through my papers, has a few basic irrevelant questions for me then says I could leave.

On this same trip, after going through scales from Lecompte, LA to Cleveland, OH, got pulled around back at first scalehouse coming into Ohio from Kentucky, Interstate 71. He had me go through scales the second time. Had to then take it around back and park it and go in. I am over on my drives by 1,050 lbs. As it turns out, a very attractive female Trooper Cadet was visiting their shack that day. They were all impressed and made several comments between themselves when she left. I wish I could have thanked her for softening them up for me. He let me slide the trailer forward to correct my weight issue. No warning, no ticket...just drive safely.

I still wonder how I drove from Lecompte, LA to Ohio rolling through every scale encountered without being told I was over on my drives...The guy in Louisiana even expressly stated that my weight was fine...What do they really do in those coops anyway?

 

Two things I do:
1 - lots of places have the WIM and bypass. If you hit this sensor at the ramp speed sign they tell you and are no accelerating or decelerating at all, it works the way it is designed and will more accurately weigh you, most times giving the bypass.
2 - if called to scale and stop on scale. Pull onto scale, complete stop and release brakes. Only re apply brakes if it is on a slight angle and you begin to roll. If it's an axle scale only you need to do it for each axle group. If it's a full scale and you do this and you area almost (or even a tad higher) 80k, when he sees you are at say, 12000, 34300, 33980, as good as you can get it, he will see that you have done your job and most often let you carry on your way.

 

Not to try and rain on your parade or anything, but roll over a VA scale with 300lb. over on an axle. Let me know how much it cost you.

 

Weight in motion are plates in the road, overhead is prepass.

 

Yeah usually tied into the Prepass.
Some states also have signs that may or may not tell you if you are OK to Bypass even with no Prepass.
LA Comes to mind.


I have never not had Prepass, so I usualky go by what's on the Prepass. Green or Red Light.

 

I've got a pretty good idea where I can get away with what. I don't run that part of the country.