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Why do you slow down approaching a scale?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by sevenmph, Jun 9, 2012.

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  1. Jun 9, 2012 #1
    sevenmph

    sevenmph Road Train Member

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    I have seen this many, many times and I am curious. Im only five years in and still have a lot to learn.
    Why do drivers slow so much when approaching a scale? I'm not talking about maintaining distance, or there's a Prime truck ahead.
    I'll give you the example from tonight. I'm catching up to a flat bed company truck that I know is faster than me. I realize, oh it's because the scale is coming up. The speed limit is 65. At the Weigh Station one mile sign, we are doing 58. They see the closed sign, and and they are off and running at 70.
    So I was just wondering why drivers do that, and I see it alot.
     
    sevenmph, Jun 9, 2012
    sevenmph, Jun 9, 2012
    #1
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  3. Jun 9, 2012 #2
    dave26027

    dave26027 Road Train Member

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    I think a few drivers slow to see if the scale is opened and might close suddenly. If they drive by it slower in some states (like Missouri) it might just close before they pass the sign. Over the years the scale has closed just as I was passing it many times. (But I don't slow down hoping it'll close on me).
     
    dave26027, Jun 9, 2012
    dave26027, Jun 9, 2012
    #2
  4. Jun 9, 2012 #3
    musicgal

    musicgal Road Train Member

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    Some trucks don't have PrePass.....so they slow down in case they have to go in. I don't have PrePass and I love seeing "Closed" even tho I'm never overweight anywhere....LOL
     
    musicgal, Jun 9, 2012
    musicgal, Jun 9, 2012
    #3
  5. Jun 9, 2012 #4
    STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    You'd be surprised how many drivers are out there that are approaching their FIRST scale as a driver, and their trainer is asleep in the back. For the trainers, PLEASE, this should be the first protocol you teach new drivers ... how to deal with scales, and to follow signage, to the LETTER, roll down your window, and don't freak out and expect that sometimes they may be CLOSED.
     
    STexan, Jun 9, 2012
    STexan, Jun 9, 2012
    #4
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  7. Jun 9, 2012 #5
    pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    My last company did'nt have prepass because of their safety rating and I never slowed down till in the scale house lot.If you look far ahead you can see if the scale is open then you don't need to slow down.
     
    pattyj, Jun 9, 2012
    pattyj, Jun 9, 2012
    #5
  8. Jun 9, 2012 #6
    sevenmph

    sevenmph Road Train Member

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    I understand that, I don't have pre pass. But, another example is I70 west just into Illinois. The last few miles of Indiana is truck 60. A few trucks will pass me, then they see the sign in Illinois Weigh Station 4 miles and they back down to 60ish from 70ish. I pass them, we pass the scale, they pass me. 4miles is a little far out to slow in case you have to go in.
    Maybe the hoping for the ramp to fill is the answer. I don't know. No biggie, was just curious.
     
    sevenmph, Jun 9, 2012
    sevenmph, Jun 9, 2012
    #6
  9. Jun 10, 2012 #7
    STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    If they're driving "70ish" they better be slowing down there (In or IL) In that case, I don't think the scales have anything to do with what you're sensing, it has to do with where state police are known to frequent and target trucks for speeding and where the "tolerance" is not so much.
     
    STexan, Jun 10, 2012
    STexan, Jun 10, 2012
    #7
  10. Jun 10, 2012 #8
    Saddletramp1200

    Saddletramp1200 Road Train Member

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    It has been written, The scales will be OPEN here till TRUCKERS have no more $$$ They kind of forgot what we did for them when the place was flooding while back.
     
    Saddletramp1200, Jun 10, 2012
    Saddletramp1200, Jun 10, 2012
    #8
  11. Jun 10, 2012 #9
    Superhauler

    Superhauler TEACHER OF MEN

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    because i pay for my brakes, just because it's 70mph don't mean you have to hit the ramp doing 70mph. also for those hotrodders that fly by at the last minute thanks for filling up the ramp and causing them to close the scale for me to putter on by doing 60mph!
     
    Superhauler, Jun 10, 2012
    Superhauler, Jun 10, 2012
    #9
    Gasienica, SGTSmokdU, DirtyBob and 3 others Thank this.
  12. Jun 10, 2012 #10
    not4hire

    not4hire Road Train Member

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    I slow down so I have time to update my logbook.
     
    not4hire, Jun 10, 2012
    not4hire, Jun 10, 2012
    #10
    Pumpkin Oval Head, 123456, witch.dokta and 11 others Thank this.
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