Quote: That means that late model dually 350/3500's are NOT pickup trucks, and are limited to 55 mph, and must cross scales. Real world I have seen 450's with pickup beds cruising at 70 being passed by chp.
Pull into a truck weight scale station with that 350/3500 and watch the cold shoulder reception you get. You are not wanted there, you are extra traffic that neither the truckers who are on the clock to get somewhere and the state folks doing he weighing/inspecting don't need to bother with. Realizing this is an RV forum and most are not using RV's commercially, unless you are using the pickup in a commercial capacity and towing five new shrink wrapped boats on a trailer going to a dealer you don't need to stop.
Again, as I said earlier there is a distinction between the law and what is the normal routine practice and it is not always the same. The legislature makes laws, the state Atty General often will provide legal opinions that are for intrepretation of those laws and the courts typically decide where the line will be drawn in the sand concerning enforcement and penalities for the laws. And not every legal opinion from an Atty Gen nor do all the courts enforces the laws uniformly or consistently.
I travel through an agricultural inspection station approximately on the average of once a week. It is amazing how the questions are asked, sometimes about dogs, sometimes about produce, other times about other things and often just a wave thru. It is almost impossible to predict what will be asked and why. In the last thirty years I cannot remember more than one time ever coming to a compete stop, usually they ask, I answer and we are off never fully stopping. Many times it is just a wave thru.
But, if I looked like I was driving Mr. Side of the Road Produce Stand truck I am sure I would get a full briefing and inspection. I suspect it is the same with the truck weight scales that if you look like you are commercial towing a backhoe on a trailer and with the graphics on the side of your truck saying 'Joes Backhoe service' you might get an invite to go through the scales. And getting back to the OP, I suspect the same kind of thing with this thread and the unlucky friend of yours. Something stood out on his truck that prompted the action. Nobody can easily tell if a truck is modified if it is happily driving along, not smoking, not too noisy and not obviously modified.
'05 Dodge Cummins 4x4 dually 3500 white quadcab auto long bed.
'09 299bhs Tango.
When California says 'trucks', they are referring to commercial vehicles displaying the US-DOT and CA-DMV commercial vehicle registration numbers and CA-DMV weight sticker on the side of the truck.
When California says 'vehicles', they are referring to any street licensed vehicle driven on public roads, as well as off-highway-only vehicles. Basically, a 'vehicle' is anything with a wheel under it that can be driven on the road under it's own power.
Quote: What about a motorcycle towing a trailer? That's not an auto.
This has been discussed on other forums. As I recall if a motorcycle is a vehicle under the California Revised Statutes it applies, if not it does not. However, the bigger issue is whether anybody is enforcing it.
As you have probably experienced, if you travel the speed of the 18 wheelers and they are over the 55 limit you probably will be just fine. Don't stick out in the crowd by going faster then that flow towing and especially don't hang for long in any lane other than the most right lane on a multi lane freeway.
I had an RV dealer tell me that for some reason Motor Homes are exempt from 55 if
towing a toad. I don't beleive it but that is what was said. As I see it, towing is towing and triple axles (like on some tag axle motorhomes) are triple axles so it might be interesting if others comment on that.
As I understand the statutes the sign that says 'autos' can be interpreted 'vehicles' and you would probably be safe in that assumption.
Rule of thumb: If you're towing, the 55 mph limit applies to you and you're also restricted to the two right-hand lanes.
A couple weeks ago I saw a guy (alone) in a Prius towing a u-haul in the carpool lane. The Prius gives him the right to drive solo in the carpool lane, but towing the u-haul taketh away the right to drive in any lane other than the two far right-hand lanes. And he was completely overweight.
Prius owners!
Flamed Prius
Did this about a year ago
same car got T boned
A flaming Prius getting T-boned. Hmmm, there's a joke in there somewhere.
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