We're not familiar with the toll rates on the PA Turnpike. Is a class B (Roadtrek) considered a passenger vehicle, or do they charge more for this category of RV? Thanks.
Jerry & Susie
1996 Roadtrek 190 Versatile (Dodge 5.2 L)
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Most of the time, it's based on the number of axles, so your "B" would be the same as a mini-van or family sedan. Unless you've got some sort of tag axle, or duallys added to your RV (which I doubt), you'll be paying the regular rate.
If you want, you could probably call the PA authority, and tell them you have a van.
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PA turnpike uses weight to determine what class the toll will be. There are weight detection sensors that you drive over prior to entering the toll plazza. Best thing to do is to drive slowly across these and do not apply your brakes while going over them either. You may get a lower weight class by doing so. I have paid the lowest class sometimes even pulling the trailer.
Bill & Diane
3 Boys, 1 dog
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I was on the Turnpike with my B last week but used my EZpass pulling a trailer so I don't know. If you don't have an EZPass take lots of U.S. quarters as many toll booths have buckets to toss quarters into. They show you on a display how much is needed. Probably goes by weight and number of axles it detects.
I will warn you the PA highways are terrible. Some sections of Rte. 81 and the PA Turnpike have potholes that will destroy tires and ruin your front end. You will need to pay attention to avoid them. I swear some of them I just missed were over 8" deep. It looks like they spend all their money building new bridges but don't bother filling serious potholes.
The on-line toll calculator has inputs for both WEIGHT (CLASS) and number of axles. But when I just played around with it, the number of axles did not seem to change the toll, but the weight did.
When DW gets home tonite, I'll ask her to check our last trip on the EZpass website to see if we paid class 1 or 2.
BTW-the Turnpike still gives discounts for EZ pass use, while other area roads and bridges have eliminated the discount.
Alaska is next! Still trying to fit the pontoons to the RV so We can get to Hawaii!
I have always paid more for my class B Pleasure Way on the Pa. turnpike than with my car. The tolls are very high and I agree the road is terrible. Stay off the turnpike if you can. It is one the the original turnpikes and has you often driving next to the concrete median barrier with no median. I really hate this road!
I travel the western most section twice a year and always pay the same as a car. My Xplorer weighs about 6,900lbs.
The Ohio turnpike changed their classes a few years ago. I used to be in the auto class 1. Now they charge me a much higher rate due to my height. I found an alternate route (the same distance & takes only 15 minutes extra) so I can avoid most of the Ohio turnpike & save a lot of money.
As others have said, the Pennsy Pike is not a fun road to drive - even in a car - though many do use it. If there is a reasonable alternate route, you may prefer it.
The EZPass system is expanding, and happily so. However, it almost takes a magician to figure out the differences between the various state toll systems.
Some use the number of axles, some the number of wheels on the ground, some use weight, some use height, some length, and many use some combination of the above.
Our solution is to have three accounts. A SunPass for Florida, a NY State EZPass (more on this in a moment), and our "home state" EZPass.
The Florida system does not participate in EZPass, but, you can get an equivalent device if you call them. Sure makes their toll roads easier, and faster, to use.
NY uses number of axles and height as their qualifiers. To the best of my knowledge, all RVs (other than popups) are too tall, thus considered commercial. Ouch! But, they do have an exception. If you have an RV, and complete the correct paperwork, you can get a "special" NY EZPass device whereby your "rig" (whatever it is - B, B towing, TV and trailer, TV and 5er, A, popup, whatever) will be "tolled" as a passenger vehicle. To obtain the passenger vehicle rate, you simply put your "special" EZPass on your windshield, and drive through a "manned" toll booth so the toll attendant can confirm that your "rig" matches your filing. The "stop" at the toll booth is usually less than five seconds. And, it saves a LOT of NY toll money.
As with most governments, they don't make it easy. You first must establish a NY EZPass account. When that's done, the second step is to file the RV "special" transponder paperwork. Ya' gotta wonder if they intentionally made it tedious hoping folks wouldn't bother.
FWIW, NY has a sorta similar arrangement for motorcycles and hybrid cars.
Our "home state" EZPass is used everywhere else other than NY in the EZPass system.
My DW keeps the right transponder on the windshield and the others in their isolation bags.
Works for us.
Cheers.
* This post was
edited 05/15/12 11:35am by retraite *
Nothing to do with your question but the PA turnpike was built as a railroad route. I don't think any rail was ever laid. I believe it's been open since the late 1930s or early 1940s. FWIW. Maybe nothing but you can pay me anyway.
RRUGG
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