To Scale or NOT To Scale..That is the question?.

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by 7mouths2feed, Sep 17, 2009.

To scale 78k+ or NOT to scale?

Poll closed Sep 27, 2009.
  1. Always scale, cheaper than a ticket

    40.4%
  2. Might scale if short and no state scales to cross

    23.4%
  3. Never. I'm keeping my $9

    31.9%
  4. *

    lurker curios too

    4.3%
  1. Tankergirl80

    Tankergirl80 GangstaGirl

    808
    965
    Jan 7, 2009
    West Texas
    0

    ............. you know this from personal experience???:biggrin_2556:
     
    L.B., walleye and 7mouths2feed Thank this.
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  3. 4seasons

    4seasons Light Load Member

    60
    16
    Jul 1, 2009
    Greeneville, TN
    0
    I scaled mine once when I first started driving it. Loaded 45k even pallets to the back door. Looked at my ticket and where I had the tandems. Now I know were to set them if it is loaded the same all the way back. But it helps to have a light tractor/ trailer combo as most shippers won't load me close to gross anyway.
     
  4. Tankergirl80

    Tankergirl80 GangstaGirl

    808
    965
    Jan 7, 2009
    West Texas
    0

    Wouldn't he need to have actually scaled a load?
     
  5. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

    18,951
    8,981
    Apr 4, 2007
    0
    No, I have some if he wants to read them. I am sure he could ask someone local.:biggrin_25522:
     
  6. steelwheels15

    steelwheels15 Bobtail Member

    2
    1
    Sep 18, 2009
    tampa, florida
    0
    Last month I had to re-power or swap load out in texas. gross was at 83k. 2 prvs drivers that had the load never scaled with opportunity in alabama and missisippi. now i know the scales w/bound on I20 east of DFW are hardly ever open...i still ran the back roads in and sweated major bullets the whole way!!! $9.00 brings alot of peace!! SCALE IT!!!
     
    snowbunny Thanks this.
  7. lilillill

    lilillill Sarcasm... it's not just for breakfast

    5,642
    13,471
    Nov 7, 2007
    Possum Booger, Alabama
    0
    If there's a scale at the shipper, I might weigh it just for s***'s and giggles. Other than that... nope!

    It don't take a rocket scientist to set the axle under the rear of the load.
     
  8. PharmPhail

    PharmPhail Road Train Member

    3,084
    1,125
    Nov 7, 2008
    NC
    0

    Come on now, if I had you on the phone I'd be giving you heck right now :biggrin_2551:

    Pulling a legal load by the letter of the law and running it legally by the same standards are only separated by likelihood of getting caught... now you're being arbitrary or splitting hairs.

    It's legal if the scales agree it's legal, even with them its arbitrary. $700 to me is unacceptable, and you only have a small percentage of loads that you would even consider scaling to be sure. Try it with 100% of your loads being at 80k or so and the financial disposition changes drastically. You're looking at 5 times that amount to not be wrong 1% of the time (my experience) and even that load was legal or acceptable everywhere else. Most DOT understand the nature of the difficulty of scaling a bulk load that shifts in transit. You can be right at the scale, pay your $9, stop short behind a car that stops short and get an axle ticket at the next scalehouse. It really is pointless.

    Being financially irresponsible to me is worse than getting an axle weight misjudged on a rare occasion.


    Now I'm going to use a smiley so you know I'm not mad at ya lol :biggrin_25525: But I do disagree...:biggrin_25512:
     
  9. Wiseguywireless

    Wiseguywireless Road Train Member

    1,693
    801
    Dec 21, 2007
    Petoskey, MI
    0
    I do have my gage in the cab to get an Idea if I am close but If I am and I know that there is a chance to cross a State Scale, I pay the 9 bucks!
     
  10. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

    9,922
    3,713
    May 6, 2007
    Mississippi
    0
    We have air gauges in dash also. I rarely scale unless I judge it to be too close to call. I've scaled once this year. Been nailed twice.

    Our CORE product, is paper roll stock.

    Once I knew I was over on the tandems, but was trying to maintain bridge..

    The other time I was unaware the %$## thing was loaded to the doors with a "light" load, and the heaviest product on the arse (pre-loaded and sealed at shipper). I slid it up short. No way you're going to be over axle with only 24k in the box, right?

    I was allowed to slide both times. No fine in LA or MO.
     
  11. ampm wayne

    ampm wayne Heavy Load Member

    945
    746
    Jan 13, 2009
    bloomington,in
    0
    You are responsible for your own load. It is up to you on the chances you choose to take. You my friend are a risk taker.
    Most of the $700 dollars we spent last year was spent by Pete. He hauled more brokered loads that were heavy. Also. his truck is heavier than mine.
    This whole debate comes down to two things in my opinion.
    1. Experience. An experienced driver should have a good understanding of his load. Most experienced drivers can make an educated decision to scale a load or not.
    2. A driver can use your theory. It is more cost effective to take your chances and play the odds on getting caught or not.
    I do agree that your line of work is far different than mine. You are always heavy. I would probably take more chances if I was in your line of work. I would also probably take less chances than you do.
    There is my 2 cents worth. Life is about choices. You choose to save the $9 and take a chance. Your choice. As always I wish you well.
     
    Last edited: Sep 18, 2009
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