Do tractors bobtailing have to enter the state scales?

I pulled in a scale one time and the guy standing on the platform reached in to grab my logbook off the dash and the 25 lb dog riding with me took a chunk out of his arm.

also got into a minor accident once and crunched the fiberglass fender wjere the headlights are. The lights were fine but nothing left to hold them .

I found a coat hanger and fashioned a mounting bracket so I could keep rolling .

got pulled in and a full inspection and passed ,

 

Be careful what you ask for . . .

I got plenty of em .

 

Checking your weight isn't the only thing they do there. They can also look at markings, stickers, what's attached to your windshield and where, whether your windshield is cracked or your lights aren't working or your seatbelt isn't on. If it's snowing they might also see if your lights aren't covered with snow, and if there's a chain law in effect they might be looking to make sure your chains are on. Whether or not you have spare tires or a fuel canister precariously perched on your frame with a bungee, if your tandems are all the way back, if you're so drunk or tired that you can't line the truck up on the scale, all sorts of stuff like that.

 

First level 1 I got was bobtail.

 

Yes, to be on safe side just do it. You don’t want them chasing you down.

 

If you don't ( have stories) you haven't been trucking long. Today, with ELD's and inspections, it's pretty cut and dry, but years ago, it was a daily ordeal for many, and we actually took some pride in "getting away with it", like it was some big bank heist. Many stories were fudged a bit, but they all had some merit. It was part of the job, almost encouraged, in some cases. Did I ever tell you the time , going around the Winona, MN. scale, when I ditched a DOT cop? That felt great, but not recommended today.

 

Yes

 

This is one of those subjects that comes up on these boards from time to time that make me scratch my head a bit. Please understand I am OK with the question because you don't know until you ask. When it comes to things like a scale house you GO IN unless you are directed otherwise. This can come from pre-pass or simply a sign. In other words, the default is GO IN! If in doubt GO IN! Now let me toss a curveball, what about the Florida Agriculture inspection stations? I bring this up because I have had the DOT tell me both ways.

 

I read, ALL trucks ( rentals too) must enter a FL. Ag station, which are open all the time.