Cummins
Thanks for asking another LEO. This does fall in line with what I was told by the LEO that I was talking to.
CumminsDriver wrote: I spoke to a CHP Commercial Truck Officer today, and asked what the criteria was for a pickup to have to go through the scales. These are some confusing regulations we've got here. I specifically asked about the F450 pickup, like the one Wrasle Castle has. He said it does have to go through the scales because of its GVWR. The cutoff for a pickup to go through the scales is over 11,500lbs GVWR(notice I said over 11,500)even though the scales post no pickups. Rich
Also if you go back and read the link I post from the DMV web site it will agree with this. The determining factor is the GVWR. At 11501 GVWR or 8002 lbs unladien weight you are not conciderd a "pick up" and must have a MCP.
Belive me I don't want to do it but we aren't dicussing what we want to do but what the rule is.
jmtandem wrote: fuelhauler,
Especially interesting are the comments that if you call your 450 a 350 (rebadge) you likely will never be bothered at the scales. While probably true, where is that citation listed in the law?
If this is ment towards the comment I made about this let me clear it up a little....I was ment as a joke and it came from the conersation I had with the LEO that got me on this subject.
I had jokingly said to/asked him "I guess I can just change the emblem to a 350" He said with a smile on his face " go ahead it only on there with two sided tape and you probably would ever be stoped" We never disscused what would happen if I did and got caught.
I also told him that "I payed a lot of money for that 450 emblem" He just grinned at me.
Cummins
I aslo asked the LEO that I was talking to about the 1 ton pickups. He basiclly said that some one tons aren't rated at the 11500 mark because of their rear axles and they aren't going to pull over every truck they suspect or could be over the 11500 mark.
He did say with the 450 its a garuntee that it would be over.
As an Example
This LEO had a 04 3500 Megacab DRW. I asked him if he had a MCP for his truck because he had to be over 11500. He did not because his 3500 had a GVWR of under 11000. Due to the rear end gearing.
I also have a Dodge 3500 dually, like your friend does, and it is rated at 12,200 pounds GVWR. I don't think the gearing/alxe has anything to do with the GVWR. The door sticker does, however and that is easy to check. I do agree with you that the law is clear that a pickup as defined by California law as anything under 11,499 pounds GVWR and has nothing to do with the pickup bed, flat bed or utility bed. It goes by weight. Having said that I never stop at the scales, like your friend, and if ever asked about it will act surprised. After all, I have a pickup, right? I have also heard from almost everybody that is connected with this that RV's are basically not looked at, perhaps ignored is a better word, as it relates to scales. I suspect the RV lobbying efforts at the national and state levels are strong enough to keep them mostly free from most truck laws. I just retired from the Dept. of Transportation so I have been in this stuff in some way for 30 years. Good luck on how you register your truck. Many MDT's are displaying 'not for hire' and 'for RV use' on the sides.
'05 Dodge Cummins 4x4 dually 3500 white quadcab auto long bed airbags overload springs bumpers
There is no law that says you can't change the badging on your truck. You can remove the badging completely too, if you want to. The badging is not a legal requirement.
The only numbers that are required to be on the truck are the VIN number (stamped in the frame or stamped into a metal tag riveted to the body beneath the windshield), the stamped numbers/letters on the license plate, the numbers on the registration tab, and the emmissions system information stickers under the hood. Actually the emmissions info is not required to be there, but it makes it alot harder to complete the test if the info is missing. Creating difficulty at the emmissions test is never a good idea.
The vehicle info sticker on the door frame with the year, model, VIN, GVWR, GAWR's and other vehicle equipment codes is not required to be on the vehicle either, once it is sold and delivered to the owner. It does make it easier to pass DMV inspection though if you ever need to have it inspected (such as when re-registering in another state).
I looked up the 2009 megacab dually GVWR stuff. It is listed as 10,800 pounds. The quad cab 3500 dually is 12,200. I suspect it has more to do with the megacab than the gearing/axles since the engine, transmission, etc. are all the same.
Socaldesertrider,
In addition to what you listed, it is not against the law to take a route that does not have truck weight scales, if available.
I have looked for the last four months at a new 2007 Kodiak flat bed, 4x4, D/A, crewcab and think it would look great in my driveway. I just have not made the plunge so I find this topic brought up by Wrastle interesting. I am happy for Wrastle and hope that he thorouhly enjoys the truck and huge camper. We came close to meeting at Cisco last weekend as I had planned to camp there but those got changed at the last minute.
I looked up the 2009 megacab dually GVWR stuff. It is listed as 10,800 pounds. The quad cab 3500 dually is 12,200. I suspect it has more to do with the megacab than the gearing/axles since the engine, transmission, etc. are all the same.
Socaldesertrider,
In addition to what you listed, it is not against the law to take a route that does not have truck weight scales, if available.
I have looked for the last four months at a new 2007 Kodiak flat bed, 4x4, D/A, crewcab and think it would look great in my driveway. I just have not made the plunge so I find this topic brought up by Wrastle interesting. I am happy for Wrastle and hope that he thorouhly enjoys the truck and huge camper. We came close to meeting at Cisco last weekend as I had planned to camp there but those got changed at the last minute.
Thanks for looking the specs up and we will enjoy it.
I only started this coversation with the hope to learn and understand the rules and now I do have a better understanding.
Sorry you didn't make it to Cisco. I have yet to meet any TCers from the forum other than Budster.
I called the CHP Commercial Vehicle Section today, and spoke with another officer. I again asked the same question, and he proceeded to give me the same answer, but said that if it looks like a pickup, and it is not being used for a business purpose you most likely won't even get looked at. With your RV attached no problem. All bets are off if you have a flat bed such as btg has. Again, this officer said the same thing about the GVWR of being over 11,500lbs, they don't consider them pickups anymore. If anyone wants to call the Commercial Vehicle Section of the CHP, the number is 916-445-1865. It seems like every officer you talk to has a little different interpretation of the law.
Wrasle, I was working close by Cisco on the Friday you were there. I dropped by to introduce myself but no one was around. Hope you had a great time on your atv's.
Rich
'09 Dodge/Cummins 6.7 3500 Quad Cab DRW SLT Laramie Auto, Timbrens & Overload Bump Stop Spacers; Tork Lift Super Hitch, Tiedowns and Fastguns, ExtremeAir 12 Volt Air Compressor
'04 Arctic Fox 990; 91 Jeep Wrangler ARB's TeraLow 4.5" Rubicon Express Lift
I liked this thread. It is good to get this info out. I certainly hope that nobody's feelings got hurt as we shared our perspectives on this. I am impressed with MDT's and especially their brakes and stable rides. I know you will enjoy yours.
When I called Cisco to see about a site the management said that not all the campground is open yet and between that and the narrow lanes and construction on I-80 we passed on the trip. Usually I can hop up to Truckee via US 50 and SR 28, however they were both subject to construction and 28 has been closed for construction except weekends. I like the A loop for camping and especially the sites nearest the east end, like numbers 40 or so. Those were still not open or we would have been there. Maybe next time and I will provide the first beer. We also get to Delta Bay, Brannan Island and Tower Park regularly and that is in your back yard almost.
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