Parking at scales

I've found and learned over the years, they all seem to have different "policies" from location to location, and as such don't consider them an option anymore. One of the few times I parked at the parking area of closed scales around 22:00 (North Carolina I think) was woken with siren whelps around 05:00 (they were opening and we were being "kindly asked" to vacate)

Some seem to be okay with it and actually have signs indicating it is okay to park (I forget where these particular ones are), some absolutely not and say so with signage, and some maybe, maybe not and nothing to indicate one way or the other. In most cases you will not know whether it is allowed or not, and a few cases they explicitly tell you do not enter when closed. Best advise I can give is to not consider them an option unless you pass by one regularly and regularly see trucks parked in them at overnight and near sunrise, then it may be a safe option, but then again you may be asked to leave before your break is finished.

Coming from California, I got to the east Hagerstown, MD Pilot today at 16:00 expecting at least some parking. There was none and had to pay. You just can't ever be certain of parking availability at truck stops, especially near larger cities/towns on major traffic routes. One weekday at 16:00 they will be half full, the next weekday at the same time they may be completely full. It's really bizarre how truck traffic volume fluctuates through a week.

 

I park at them very often heading to the Eastcoast area when parking is slim but I have been told from other drivers you're not allowed to in some states. Guess I've just been lucky to never have Dot knock on my window :S

 

Florida the scales have safe havens for parking for your break don't they? Was down there a couple weeks ago and remember seeing some signs as I left the scale. But ya it's kinda of a scale by scale thing or officer by officer deal on if it's ok in most states

 

Nothing good ever happens at a scale house.

Avoid them.

 

Kentucky has some real big parking lots at the coops. With bathrooms too. That's the only state I've ever slept at the scales in.

 

I think alot of drivers feel the same way as those two trainers.I've drive past closed weigh stations with huge parking lots and there would only be a couple semis.I personally rather keep driving till I found a place to park,anything other then a weigh station.

 

If you're gonna park at a scale, make sure you're legal when ya park and when ya leave.

 

1. You will always be able to get a spot.
2. No bums, no lizards, no good buddies, no crackheads
3. You won't lose your hood.

If I'm pulling a really big load, I will park at the scale. Most of the scalemasters are decent people. I've yet to have an issue wth parking at a scale.

 

If there's nothing wrong with your truck or logs and it's a safe and legal place to park then what's the difference?