Running weigh stations

Only one i got pulled into was Colorado, they wanted to see my permit and that's it.

 

Going to depend on where you are in the country. You can pass up a lot of scales and there be no consequences. Some will come after you! For example in Mississippi you can pass up the scales most of the time and they won't come after you. Wouldn't recommend it but it can be done. Most of the time, like the other poster said, if you miss a scale either pull over and walk in or try to circle around and go through them.

As you gain experience you will learn more what you can do or get away with and what you can't. I recommend trying to follow the law though.

 

He's talking about the one inside Idaho which I have never seen open at all. The scale in Montana is at the 16 mile marker not the 13. East is Montana side and west is Idaho side

 

well heck, excuse me.

and he said montana to idaho. i don't think there's a idaho scale going westbound. only eastbound.

been awhile since i been up there though. and don't have my atlas to confirm.

 

It's a portable weigh station going westbound, theres a state highway maintenance shed in the same lot. Ive never seen it open either, usually what they have set up there is the mandatory watercraft inspection station, but that's only during the warm months.

 

My first cross country trip I was only about 80% sure what I was doing was legal. I was 20 at the time with the K restriction on my CDL. I did have class A and air brakes all said and fine. I flew down to Florida and picked up a 79 cab over Freightshaker with a 318 Detroit, complete with rusted out exhaust elbows man that thing sounded like it had some power! Pulling a 53' dry van that had been converted to a race car hauler. It was labeled not for hire but they were real small decals. I jumped every port from south Florida to Salt Lake City in 2.5 days. That was a fun trip a lot different than the local driving I'm accustomed to.

 

Running W/B Banning isnt a good idea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy-1APuqzhM&feature=share&list=UUh1XeA9iSdf0THF0hs1UgFQ

I used to run them every time they were backed up, then one day they came after me. Paying a $630.00 fine and 1.5 point on my record suddenly made me change my mind.
Needless to say, I don't run them anymore.

 

They just recently reopened the scale on US30 EB on the Ohio/Indiana state line. It had been closed for so long and even had barrels up for a while blocking it that I wasn't even watching the sign for it. Didn't notice it was open until I saw the 4 trucks behind me pull into it right as I was passing. Started slowing down immediately and hit my 4 ways. Pulled over onto the shoulder of the ramp coming out of the scale. Grabbed my papers and walked back to the scale house. The cop inside was nice and just gave me a written warning about it. He said that he didn't even bother to call yet because he saw me start slowing down as soon as I passed and knew I was coming back. Had I kept going he was going to call it in.

In Iowa about 6 months ago I missed the scale on I35 NB coming from Missouri, didn't even see the sign. I didn't stop for that one and luckily they didn't come chasing me. I was watching my mirrors much closer for the next 15-20 miles though waiting for a cop to come after me.

If you miss one on accident pull over as soon as you can and start walking. If the cop is having a good day you'll get a warning and be on your way.

 

In Colorado, the scale operators aren't inspectors - all they can ask for is your permits and CDL. Now, if there's an inspector at the scale, that's a different matter. You'll know they're at the scale by the Highway Patrol vehicle parked outside - the scale masters don't get these, and take their POVs to work.

 

That's what the guy at the Ohio scale I missed was, had his pickup parked outside, but no cop car.