Scale Ettiquette

prepass???

 

Like one poster mentioned, most states scales differ a little from each other but as far as etiquette is concerned it should be universal for the most part.

I do have to mention the scales in Florida and Mississippi and other ones like them where you roll in and the speed limit is 45mph and you are SUPPOSED to maintain 45mph unless the arrow directs you on the scale itself. Now in Mississippi when you approach the scale it does knock down to 15mph. Besides this though if the scale says maintain a certain speed, then DO IT! There's no reason to drive under the posted speed because you end up slowing the guys behind you and three or four trucks back are forced to stop because you must maintain a 100 foot space between each truck so that you can read the arrows! Pay attention guys! There's a reason for the posted speeds and maintaining those speeds!

 

Prepass and HAZMAT is a whole new can of worms, too. The Marion, IL NB scale on I 57 is a fun one. If you get the red light there, you must weigh, even if you get the green to go to the bypass lane.

Arkansas and Maryland are states where you must weigh if the scale is open, regardless of what you Prepass transponder says.

I loved Prepass, just because it did save a bunch of time.

 

At Banning (westbound) any time you need a pilot car (over 12' wide) you have to park in the lot and walk a hundred yards to the coop. They know me pretty well, I usually bring EVERYTHING with me but a few months ago I walked in and the jokester said "what didnt you bring with you"? I laughed and said "the kitchen sink" (i was hauling a mobile home) he said "I'm going to need you to go back out and get that kitchen sink"...

Eastbound Banning you cant get in the gate with anything over 15' wide. I got chased down when I blew past at 2:00 in the morning with a 16' X 80'. When we stopped I knew exactly what he was going to say so before he had a chance to say a word i said "dont shoot, my permit says to bypass your scale"... I handed it to him, he read it and said c-ya.

 

Always go the posted speed limit for the scale you are at, never slower and never faster. There are multiple reasons for the speed limits, and one of those is that the scales are calibrated for a certain speed. Be polite and courteous, and you'll have less problems. Not too complicated, yet too many people don't seem to be able to handle scale houses properly.

 

I agree, as it should be in all aspects of life. 😃

 

I thought PrePass was flipping the bird as you went by.

 

Goblue, how was the transition going from LE to driving ? Ive been in LE for 20 years and am thinking about a career change.

 

LOL, so true. Some of the out of the way scales can surprise the heck out of you. I remember one in Colorado I think where the guy rang a bell to indicate for you to roll to the next axle. It seems like sometimes you have to speed read all the scale signs in order not to screw up.