Re: Weigh Stations & Horse Trailers

[Teddy Lancaster <Teddy@runningbear.com>]

Gross weight is gross weight...that means the entire rig...

Teddy


Susan Evans Garlinghouse wrote:

> What is FMCSR and does the gross weight only apply to the trailer, or to
> trailer and tow vehicles combined?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Susan
>
> Teddy Lancaster wrote:
> >
> > Ramey:
> >
> > FMCSR  requires you to stop and to carry a log book if your gross weight
> > (combined/loaded or unloaded) is over 10,000 lbs. PERIOD!!!!  The only way
> > around it is RV plates on both vehicles.  I have had little problem in the
> > past, but I find they are now enforcing it more and more.
> >
> > Teddy
> >
> > Ramey Peticolas-Stroud wrote:
> >
> > > Hi Teddy.  Our family hauls horses between 10,000 and 30,000 miles a
> > > year.  We use either a 9-horse horse van or a medium-duty diesel truck
> > > pulling a 4 or 5-horse gooseneck with living quarters.  These latter
> > > combinations are about 50 feet long with gross combined weights (GCW) of
> > > up to 40,000 lbs.
> > >
> > > When we design and build our bigger rigs,  we take into account various
> > > federal and state regulations so we can license them as non-commercial,
> > > motor-homes.  This exempts us from having to run over the scales in most
> > > states.  To this end, we place signs on both sides of our rigs stating
> > > "FOR RV USE ONLY," and just drive on by.
> > >
> > > The exception is a PORT OF ENTRY (usually the first weigh station after
> > > a state line). Most state regulations require ALL livestock haulers to
> > > pull in to Ports of Entry.  In this case we try to bypass the scale
> > > line, park-off to one side, and walk-in with our animal transport
> > > papers.  If we cannot get off to one side, we wait our turn to run over
> > > the scales.   As we do so, we received either a green bypass light
> > > (which means we are free to go on) or a red light (which means "park,
> > > and bring your papers to the office.")  There are usually public address
> > > speakers next to the scales for the officers to speak to drivers with
> > > additional instructions.
> > >
> > > We have never had a problem using this approach to horse transport.
> > >
> > > Ramey and Cynthia Peticolas-Stroud
> >
> > Ramey Peticolas-Stroud wrote:
> >
> > > Hi Teddy.  Our family hauls horses between 10,000 and 30,000 miles a
> > > year.  We use either a 9-horse horse van or a medium-duty diesel truck
> > > pulling a 4 or 5-horse gooseneck with living quarters.  These latter
> > > combinations are about 50 feet long with gross combined weights (GCW) of
> > > up to 40,000 lbs.
> > >
> > > When we design and build our bigger rigs,  we take into account various
> > > federal and state regulations so we can license them as non-commercial,
> > > motor-homes.  This exempts us from having to run over the scales in most
> > > states.  To this end, we place signs on both sides of our rigs stating
> > > "FOR RV USE ONLY," and just drive on by.
> > >
> > > The exception is a PORT OF ENTRY (usually the first weigh station after
> > > a state line). Most state regulations require ALL livestock haulers to
> > > pull in to Ports of Entry.  In this case we try to bypass the scale
> > > line, park-off to one side, and walk-in with our animal transport
> > > papers.  If we cannot get off to one side, we wait our turn to run over
> > > the scales.   As we do so, we received either a green bypass light
> > > (which means we are free to go on) or a red light (which means "park,
> > > and bring your papers to the office.")  There are usually public address
> > > speakers next to the scales for the officers to speak to drivers with
> > > additional instructions.
> > >
> > > We have never had a problem using this approach to horse transport.
> > >
> > > Ramey and Cynthia Peticolas-Stroud