Overweight on tandems violation

RCW 46.44.105: Enforcement procedures—Penalties—Rules.

1st offense is $50 plus $0.03/pound for the 1st 4000 pounds over. If you were more than that, the per-pound rate goes up considerably.

 

It SHOULD be noted somewhere on the citation, because that citation is supposed to note exactly what you were caught with...just like a speeding ticket will say "64 in a 55 mph zone", an overweight ticket should specify either the amount over, or your weight along with the allowed weight.

If they just listed it on the inspection and did NOT issue a separate citation, I wouldn't worry about it...overweight carries no points under CSA/PSP.

If you were allowed to leave without correcting the weight issue, I'd be surprised if they actually wrote a citation.

 

When the customer has a scale that only gives one weight you can still axle yourself out.

First put the steers on, write that down. (Let's say 12,200)

Second put the steers and drives (I usually stop just before the midship light) and write that down. (Let's say 44,200)

Then put the whole thing on, write that down. (77,000)

Take the steer and drive weight 44,200
subtract the steer weight 12,200
equals the weight of the drives: 32,000

Then take the whole weight of 77,000
subtract the steer and drives 44,200
equals the tandem weight 32,600

Thus you weigh 12,200 on the steers, 32,0000 on the drives, and 32,600 on the trailer.

This is a VERY inaccurate way to scale out - especially if the scale is elevated, but it gets you close. Depending on where the scale readout is, you can follow the same basic process in reverse to double check your weights.

Back to your specific situation - grossed out at 68,000 and the "axle load" gauge said the drives are at 22,000. Assuming your steers are at 12,000 that means your trailer is at 34,000. If you are lighter on your steers, then the trailer will be over 34,000. Personally if I saw that I would be sliding my tandems back to the 43 foot mark to balance the load. Besides making sure you are legal, it will give you a better ride and better fuel economy.

 

Do you still have a copy of that? If so, look to see if you simply received a "warning" for the weight. I'm guessing that's all it is, because a citation would have been a separate slip of paper indicating the charge and the process for paying or disputing the charge...court date, etc...

 

If you indeed did get a fine it should clearly state as to what amount you owe and what options you have to pay it. If you were a little over i doubt very much if they'll issue you a ticket anyway i was 1200 lb over on the drives once at the (IN) POE i showed them my Cat Scale ticket they were happy with my explanation and let me readjust it by sliding axles forward 2 holes, went over the scales again and got a green light.