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3 Dog Nite · 07-31-2007, 11:05 PM

I'm a truck driver new to the airstream life. I've seen some signs posted that recreational vehicles must weigh but being in a truck, I never really paid any attention to where I was. I don't want my maiden voyage ruined by a DOT officer coming after me. Any suggestions on where this information can be found would sure be appreciated.

lewster · 08-01-2007, 12:33 AM

Mr. 3DN,

First, welcome to the Forums. Don't be afraid to use the search feature as it works very well.

AFAIK, I have never seen a sign requiring RVs to weigh. I full-timed in a 40' Monaco Dynasty Diesel MoHo for 5 years and never weighed nor saw a posting to do so in the 40 or so states that I traveled thru.

Also, I have never seen an RV pulled over by a DOT officer in the years I have been RVing.

henw · 08-01-2007, 03:52 AM

Good thing too. With what my wife packs.........

wahoonc · 08-01-2007, 04:10 AM

Only times I have ever seen a requirement for RV's to pull in to a station was for agricultural inspections and IIRC that was along I-10 in Florida. Oh and going into the tunnels up around Norfolk to make sure the portable LP tanks are turned off.

Aaron

Jim Clark · 08-01-2007, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Only times I have ever seen a requirement for RV's to pull in to a station was for agricultural inspections and IIRC that was along I-10 in Florida. Oh and going into the tunnels up around Norfolk to make sure the portable LP tanks are turned off.

Aaron

Aaron, where on I-10 in Florida? I have traveled I-10 going to Disney from New Orleans numerous times and have not seen it. Is it a temporary site or seasonal?

overlander63 · 08-01-2007, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

Aaron, where on I-10 in Florida? I have traveled I-10 going to Disney from New Orleans numerous times and have not seen it. Is it a temporary site or seasonal?

He may mean I-75, and possibly I-95. Therre is definitely an agricultural inspection station there, trucks, trailers, RV's, even U-Hauls have to stop for inspection. I knocked an inspector out with a satellite dish once at the station on I-75...

**moosetags** · 08-01-2007, 06:40 AM

We have traveled extensively with Lucy, especially in Florida. We have never made an inspection stop, and have never been stopped by authorities. The agricultural inspection stations in Florida require trailers and rental trucks to stop. I have never seen a sign requiring RV's to stop.

Streamer1 · 08-01-2007, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander63

He may mean I-75, and possibly I-95. Therre is definitely an agricultural inspection station there, trucks, trailers, RV's, even U-Hauls have to stop for inspection. I knocked an inspector out with a satellite dish once at the station on I-75...

Several years ago driving from Arizona to Florida we drove into Florida on I-10. We had to go thru an agricultural inspection and at the time we had a U-haul trailer. Also, I think at that time if you had out of state plates and or you were knowingly bringing in different plants (not native to Florida) they wanted to check you out.

swebster · 08-01-2007, 08:18 AM

There is a Homeland Security inspection going over the Hoover Dam...but that's the only time I've ever been required to stop and have been "boarded" by goverment officials. They spent more time checking it out and asking questions than "inspecting".

SilverCabin · 08-01-2007, 09:38 AM

The FL law 570.15 states:

Quote:

It is unlawful for the driver of any vehicle, other than one exempted in sub-subparagraph (1)(a)1.g. or one authorized pursuant to subsection (5), to pass any official agricultural inspection station without first stopping and submitting the vehicle for inspection. A violation of this subsection constitutes a misdemeanor of the second degree....

The only vehicles that seem to be exempted are private passenger automobiles with no trailer in tow.

Here's a link to an interesting history on Florida Agricultural Inspection: Bureau of Uniform Services, AgLaw - FDACS

Randy

lewster · 08-01-2007, 10:45 AM

Sounds like the AG inspections they have in Kalifornia when you enter from Oregon. Everyone has to stop.

TinShack · 08-01-2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewster

Sounds like the AG inspections they have in Kalifornia when you enter from Oregon. Everyone has to stop.

That's true when you enter California by road from anywhere. Everyone has to stop. I've never seen a weigh station that requires RV's to stop though. Usually the sign says NO RV's.

wahoonc · 08-01-2007, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

Aaron, where on I-10 in Florida? I have traveled I-10 going to Disney from New Orleans numerous times and have not seen it. Is it a temporary site or seasonal?

The one that I saw was on the 'bama side of Pensacola if memory serves me. It was right after Katrina and they were hit or miss. I was staying in Pensacola and driving into Mobile on a daily basis

And there used to be one up on the north side of Jacksonville on A1A too (at least I think that is where I was

)

Aaron

Silvertwinkie · 08-01-2007, 12:38 PM

I also have never seen an RV that had to go through weight inspections.....

**moosetags** · 08-01-2007, 01:21 PM

Regarding the inspection of RV's at Florida truck weigh stattions and Agricultural Inspection, I have made a couple of phone calls over to Tallahassee.

I have contacted the Florida Department of Transportation. I was told that RV are NOT required to stop at weigh stations.

I also called the Law Enforcement Division of the Florida Department of Agricuilture. I was told that RV's are NOT required to stop at the agricultural inspection stations.

I think that this information clears up any confusion about this isue in Florida.

SilverCabin · 08-01-2007, 01:38 PM

Thanks Brian for clearing this up, well at least in Florida.

On my last trip out of state I didn't stop at the inspection on my way back, because I didn't see any other RV going in. I did stop years ago (1982) when I first came to Florida pulling a camping trailer. The inspector asked a couple of questions and waived us on.

When I saw this thread this morning, I thought I would do a little internet research, and came up with the two references I posted. It's curious that the law on the books says you have to stop. I guess they just don't enforce it anymore.

Randy

DFord79 · 08-11-2007, 09:00 PM

RV's do NOT have to stop at weigh stations. ONLY commercial licenced vehilces. I have a close friend who works for the DOT. I have ask him this very question. The only time an RV would ever be ask to stop anywhere is for OTHER reasons...weight stations is NOT one of them. Ag. inspections at borders...etc. The only reason according to the DOT an RV would ever be weighed is if it was in a wreck and the OVERWEIGHT condition contributed to the accident. This came steight from the DOT officer. I have also ask the STATE Patrol...they gave me the same answers.

whitelight · 08-11-2007, 09:19 PM

Quote:

That's true when you enter California by road from anywhere. Everyone has to stop. I've never seen a weigh station that requires RV's to stop though. Usually the sign says NO RV's.

We make at least two pilgrimages to California every year - always enter from Oregon via I5 - The agricultural inspection station near Hornibrook has a permanent by-pass for non-commercial vehicles. Our last trip was in May and the by-pass was still there . . .

On our last three trips down to the hobo rally in Blythe, we were waived through the agricultural inspection station along I-10 when returning from Quarzite. Cars & RV's were routed through the left (closed) gates . . .

At this time (unless this has just recently changed) non-commercial vehicles are only subject to an inspection when entering California by land from Mexico.

HP9K · 08-12-2007, 06:15 AM

The only one I have ever seen that I felt like I should stop at is at the Florida state line on US1/301 coming out of south Georgia. The signage there justs lists "trailers" on the sign - doesn't specify what type, so I always stop to be on the safe side. They have always just waved me thru from inside the station - they never even bother to step outside.

LI Pets · 08-12-2007, 06:19 AM

I traveled 4 times now with the trailer from the Keys to NY and I know the Ag check point very well on Rt95.

THe reason I know it is because a few years back I was driving a 15' box truck it's like a giant van.
I flew right by there the police stopped me in Ga, I may have been going a bit quick.

He blasted me for not stopping made me open up the back door took a quick look and said the following.

If you're carrying anything for resale to others you need a DOT registration, if it's for your own personal use then you don't.

He said it in such a way that I knew I had to answer him "yes all these pet supplies are for my own use"

He was a nice guy and let me go.

.