Scales & Uhauls

I asked about this and was told they are making sure sales tax is being paid on merchadise coming tnto Florida.

 

HeY AMFord!
Sounds like you're in for an adventure.

If I might offer a few suggestions, .............
when you pick up that big rental truck, don't just jump in and turn the key -- load up and go.

Have the attendants explain procedures that might arise out on the road. Have them pop the hood and show you where the dip-stick is, and what kind of oil to add if necessary.
Look at the engine and hoses and belts. Ask questions. What kind of an engine is it?

Jump up and in and check the guages and MIRRORS.
Have them PROPERLY adjusted, if necessary, while you're there.
Understand where the controls are and what they do.
Look for a fire extinguisher.

Check the tires and exhaust.
Brakes too if you can.
Run the air conditioner and heater.
Check the cargo area and door(s) and ramp, or life gate.
Make sure EVERYthink is working properly.
Do NOT accept a truck you don't feel is up to par.
Breaking down on the highway can be a dangerous inconvenience.

And I agree --- better to roll across the scales just to be on the safe(r) side. Just BE CAREFUL around the BIGGER Big trucks.

Pleasant voyage!

OH!
And BRING A MAP!!!
And a FLASHLIGHT.

 

After Shock is giving you some great info....
but forgot one thing

Bring some drinking water and food that will not go bad...

if you breakdown (only if you breakdown)
It maybe some time before any help gets to you..


safe travels

 

Ybelegal is correct.
Also a candle in a meal can, like a coffee can.

They say, with just the heat from one candle in the sleeper berth,
it will keep a stranded Big truck trucker from freezing.

But I think I'd rather go through life wondering if it will, than to have to find out first hand.

 

YeAH!
But to be practical --- if they'd maintain their fleet better, they wouldn't have to "jump right on it" so often.
Ya reckon.

Personally, I've found U-Haul to run hot and cold. And varies with which rental facility used.

At one facility -- the desk attendant had quite a bad attitude and took offense at the questions I was asking about the truck and equipment they'd be providing. He assured me that their equipment was top-notch, and I'd have nothing to worry about.

When I returned, as scheduled, the next (warm) afternoon, he had a lot attendant go fetch "the" truck.

I watched as it drove by the door, which was open to let a VERY nice breeze into a warm office area. And I noticed it was an older unit, --- quite a BIT older, in fact.

Now, you might think that would bother me, but not so!
For I, Shakey AfterShock am a professional Big truck truck driver -- and I KNOW older U-Haul trucks have 4-speed MANUAL transmissions. That's what I prefer, so I thought the guy with an attitude was actually doin' me a favor.

However, upon closer examination, I discovered it was quite the opposite. The tires were marginal at best, I didn't like the sound of the engine, and it was smoking from the exhaust -- which was routed out under the RIGHT side of the truck -- at the rear.

Now, I would be crossing the Big truck truck scales no less than 4 times -- and the DOT sees the RIGHT side of the vehicles passin' through. And those two scales are in California, where smokin' of ANY kind is kinda frowned upon.

I brought all this to the attitude's attention.
But, to him -- it didn't matter.
So --- to sorta 'drove' MY point home, .... I backed that ol' truck up --- just a tad, ---
so the exhaust was blowin' right in that open door. Remember that door? The one with the nice breeze blowin' in the warm office area?
YeAH!
That's the one.

I'm here to report that the attitude changed, and he located another truck, among about 10 to choose from, and "luckily" found a replacement for me.
Bummers!
It had an automatic transmission.
And it was brand new --- fewer than 100 miles on the odometer.

And, in their favor --- I was very favorably impressed with it.

HeY AMF ---- a favor, please?
Keep us posted on how all this is goin'
and/or how it turned out?
I think the information would be of value and something we would enjoy readin' about.

I'm sure many of us have, or will in the future, use some sort of such vehicles. Being aware -- up front -- of what we're gittin' into could make the difference betwixt a pleasurable experience and a miserable one.

I think you started a good thread.
Thanx!

 

The one and only truck I ever drove was a 26 ft U-Haul from Cincinnati to Vancouver WA.......Not one single scales did I go through......the reason was because I left the rental yard with absolutely no instructions to do so......they didn't tell me how to turn, back up, avoid knocking over barrels, or if I needed to stop at the scales or not......

 

Most places I go the sign says trucks over 8 ton enter. Unless you're hauling bricks in that trailer, I doubt you qualify. The other way to look at it is that it won't cost you anything to go through there and ask. Most of the trailers you see being checked are 20,000 pounds of construction material on a trailer with bicycle wheels. Check your axle weight if you're hauling pianos.

 

I drove a Penske truck from connecticut to houston, tx last year, they made my sign a form stating that I had been told I needed to stop at all open weigh stations. The first 3 weigh stations I hit (New York, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee) They made me get out of the truck on the scale and speak with the trooper, all other scales I had no problem they were all "fly by" scales, the lone scale in louisiana waved me off, from my small experience it's hit or miss better be safe than sorry however.