snow weight

Hoofer B

Well-known Member
How does the DOT account for the snow/ice that you accumulate while driving in winter? If you are loaded at 79,000 and gain 2,000 along the way, are you in violation with a semi with 80000 plates?
 
I got away with a bunch more weight then that going into Fl. But would i like to try that again NO. I really don't know for sure and not going to say one way or the other . I always tried to avoid the chicken houses when not under permit . I like to travel the more shell we say scenic routes . Ya got to see a lot more of the country that way and a easier pace.
 
yep, weight is weight, it your problem-responiblty to keep it legal, they might let you slide if they see all the snow and ice build-up, then again they could be "A" you know what, and don't care... do you want to chance giving the state more money than you want too...
 
UP here its common for the DOT guys to let you knock all the snow and crud off the the bottom on your 11 axle logging truck before rolling you onto the scales.

But technically weight is weight no matter what it is.
 
It is a little hard to KNOCK the snow and ice off a RGN and out from under a tractor with fairings when she is packed solid . You as a driver really have no control over how much snow and ice build up from weather . If your bills are wright then you did all you could as you do not control mother nature or road conditions.
 
There is a provision in the law for accumulated snow of I believe 5% of gross weight. Now I believe you have to have a weight slip showing you were legal at the beginning of the run.
 

You are supposed to be responsible and plan for changes, that is part of doing the job properly. They do allow a little for variances. I'm pretty sure that when I had my truck here in NH that you were allowed 2%. When I was hauling dirt, I knew that in a heavy rain I was gaining weight, but I wouldn't have thought to ask for a reduction for it if I got weighed, because regardless of where it comes from it affects bridges and stopping distance, and I am the one responsible. I'll leave it to the teenagers to giggle about it and say "it just happened, I have no clue."
 
At the discretion of the officer.

I went through this last week. I committed to a hot load from TX to IA before last weeks snow and Ice storm was predicted. I gained about 1500 lbs. That with my load full of fuel put me over. Officer came out of the scales and looked at the rig, went back in, and hit the green light.

I dropped that load, picked the next one, scaled and was over. I knocked off 900 lbs to get legal.

Scales where all closed on the way back.
 
Tractor Vet I am with You the DOT is mostly another source of revenue of the State. You can do almost anything in this country if you say "it is for the safety of the Public" followed by the "money is being spent on education of our children" most act like SS Officers
 

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