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mdm1 
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Onalaska, WI
Points: 2665
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 Topic: weigh stations WI, IL
Posted: 09 Apr 2023 at 10:13am |
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I am going to be traveling through WI and IL with my truck and trailer. I have a 2015 F150 GVW 6500 and my trailer weighs 2900+- empty. Coming back the trailer should weigh maybe 5000. I am just hauling for myself. Trailer is licensed for 8000. Do I need to stop at open scales. I was told 10,000 was the benchmark.
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Everything is impossible until someone does it! WD45-trip loader 1947 c w/woods belly mower, 1939 B, #3 sickle mower 1944 B, 2 1948 G's. Misc other equipment that my wife calls JUNK!
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DaveKamp
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Joined: 12 Apr 2010
Location: LeClaire, Ia
Points: 5957
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Posted: 09 Apr 2023 at 10:44am |
You didn't identify your trailer's placarded GVW, but If you were loaded to max GVW on the truck, and 5000lbs on the trailer, your combined weight would be in the vicinity of 11,000lbs. In order to have an accurate figure, you'd need to weigh the truck empty, but in my experience, the F150's empty weight is around 4400-4600lbs. If you have a trailer axle weight indication of 5500lbs, there will be about 550lbs on the trailer tongue, so your truck with loaded trailer should indicate around 5500+5000 for 10,500lbs.
In MOST states, With a tow vehicle of under 10k, and for non-commercial purpose, you may tow any trailer without need for a commercial license, logbook, or medical card, so long as the combined weight of tow unit and trailer does not exceed 26,000lbs, however, you must not cross any bridges or weight restriction roads you exceed, and if you exceed signs' declared weight limit, you must stop at the scale.
It would be wise to strap everything down good, have the lights and trailer brakes in good working order, and have no loose tools, dirt, rocks, or debris on the trailer, and stop at the scales, as you'll be close enough to attract their attention.
If they ask you to pull around for an inspection, don't panic, just drive around, pull out your registrations and insurance card, and walk in (or they might walk out). If you have any operating restriction (like glasses), make certain you meet that restriction. They'll make sure your registrations are all up to date, and might send you on your way... They might perform an inspection where they check your tires (for wear depth, type, and loading spec, lights and brakes for proper operation, check your rigging straps, and fill out a report, and hand you a copy.
If you're transporting a motor vehicle, they may ask for documentation on that/those vehicles, basically just verifying that it isn't in some way stolen.
They may note things to you for attention, and advise you to correct asap, or ask you to correct it right then... If you don't understand, ask nicely, and they'll usually take time to explain, and if anything needs very immediate correction, they'll let you do it right there. If you get upset and crosswise, they'll be more likely to cite you, and if it's very serious, they'll detain you at that point until it is corrected... but they generally won't want to... they have plenty of workload, and bigger fish-to-fry.
The important thing is to do all you can to be safe, and if they get the impression you're trying, they'll help you out. The important part to recognize is that they are usually assessed in performance by the type and quantity of verification actions they perform, not necessarily the citations. When they check your paperwork, or perform an inspection, it goes on THEIR record as having done so, and when they hand you that 'passed' inspection, the next scale you cross will see that it's on-file.
And... if you happen to do this on a sunday, it is more likely that they'll be closed.
And it's not all just about weight:
If your tow vehicle has any commercial exterior reference, or exceeds 10,000lb GVW, the rules get more difficult. If you have air-brakes, or exceed physical dimensions of a standard load, you'll need permitting, banners, beacons and in some cases, escort vehicles.
There are certain exemptions of agricultural circumstance, you'll want to research them carefully before claiming that exemption before a DOT officer, as there's plenty of 'gotchas'.
If you're hauling hazardous materials, they'll want to see the
manifest documentation and a MSDS sheet for each, as well as appropriate
placards posted. They'll likely also want to see a fire extinguisher,
and any 'special' containment/abatement materials on-hand for whatever
hazmat you've got... but keep in mind that if you're transporting more
than a certain amount of hazardous, you'll immediately fall under the
classification of 'Commercial' simply because of the hazmat
circumstance. Don't carry any nuclear materials... that's a whole new
ball'a wax.
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Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest.
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mdm1
Orange Level
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Onalaska, WI
Points: 2665
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Posted: 09 Apr 2023 at 10:58am |
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Dave thanks for the reply. My trailer is newer and everything on it is in proper working condition. Everything licensed and insured. I believe I will be under weight and everything will be chained and strapped. I just don't do much hauling and really don't need problems.
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Everything is impossible until someone does it! WD45-trip loader 1947 c w/woods belly mower, 1939 B, #3 sickle mower 1944 B, 2 1948 G's. Misc other equipment that my wife calls JUNK!
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jaybmiller
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Greensville,Ont
Points: 24336
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Posted: 09 Apr 2023 at 11:08am |
I have a warped sens of reality... but Uhaul rents 'car hauling trailers' good for 7000# (?) to be pulled by 1/2T pickups so as long as you look 'like' that kind of setup, shouldn't be a problem. IF you do get pulled over BE NICE and COURTEOUS. 'yes sir ' goes a LONG way.......
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3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor)
Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water
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DougG
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Joined: 20 Sep 2009
Location: Mo
Points: 8246
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Posted: 09 Apr 2023 at 11:57am |
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Roll on , they wont mess with you if its looking good,
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sparky
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Joined: 13 May 2011
Location: So. Indiana
Points: 1724
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Posted: 09 Apr 2023 at 12:02pm |
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Hauling for myself in Illinois I always use 4 chains and 4 binders on a tractor. In my case the largest tractor I’ve ever hauled was my 185.
Edited by sparky - 09 Apr 2023 at 12:02pm
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It's the color tractor my grandpa had!
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DaveKamp
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Joined: 12 Apr 2010
Location: LeClaire, Ia
Points: 5957
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Posted: 09 Apr 2023 at 1:51pm |
Following the federal recommendation for COUNT of chains and straps is one chain or strap every 5 feet.
Tractors, cars, etc., they don't demand that you put a strap or chain OVER the load, for obvious reasons, but having it well restrained is what solves that. Usually, they'll look to see that the vehicle cannot move forward or back, and that it cannot shift side-to-side. Most of the time, the retention on the rear as a chain which does NOT use any sort of binder or tensioner (i.e. a chain around the axle, hooked to itself, and the other end around a hardpoint on the trailer, again, hooked to itself), and that the chain hooks are restrained onto the chain (a piece of wire through the chain, then to the 'throat' of the hook) so that if there's any slack, the chain will not release), and then the tensioners on the FRONT end. Reason for this, is that braking load is the highest, and most critical. Always secure tensioners with wire, so they cannot release. Most jurisdictions don't allow 'boomers'... overcenter tensioners... they need to be ratchet-type.
Straps need to be load-rating appropriate, and pulled over soft edges, or protected from abrasion.
As noted above, if you look well balanced, not overloaded, and well secured, with everything operative, most will not bat an eye.
You CAN weigh before you roll, which will tell you both the total weight, and how it is distributed between your steer, drive, and trailer weights. I've got four close to you, one is just up the hill on 90 in West Salem, one across the river andup a little in Nodine, MN, and two on the east side of Sparta, all but one of the Sparta are at Kwik-Trips. Black and yellow sign. No appointment necessary, takes 20 seconds.
Edited by DaveKamp - 09 Apr 2023 at 1:53pm
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Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest.
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DMiller
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Hermann, Mo
Points: 33121
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Posted: 09 Apr 2023 at 2:14pm |
Magic number is over 26000lbs. IF are NOT hauling for or making a sale TO someone else are not considered Interstate Commerce traffic, Trust me, as I drove past a IL scale, got ran down, made me return to scale and then Validated my 24,000lb License was JUST for my truck not for Commercial use, my single wheel axled gooseneck was not someone else's and I had a Receipt that showed machine on trailer was in fact MINE. To make them feel big they questioned my Necessity to have a Class A with all the endorsements to pull such a scant load.
I TRIED to be Nice, when got objectionable as well arrogant I requested their Supervisor be called to the scale site, was some hemhawing where as they tried to get me to just Leave I INSISTED the super be called or I would call the IL State Police and have THEM call that person. Super was called, could hear the YELLING from across the room on their phone, Officer red faced and apologetic noted Super explained their stupidity, i was free to leave and they were gonna catch hell for being stupid. I smiled, stated Thank you and Left.
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TomC
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Joined: 24 Nov 2017
Location: Hillsboro, MO
Points: 1549
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Posted: 09 Apr 2023 at 3:27pm |
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Only thing I can to the mix is be absolutely sure the tires you have on truck and trailer are NOT regular old car tires, Kentucky and Missouri were really after these guys hauling firewood and lawn service equipment.
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acd17toy
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: USA
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Posted: 09 Apr 2023 at 6:40pm |
Of all the times I crossed over into Wi from the Ia side I only seen that scale open a couple of times. If I remember rite the sign says trucks over 10,000 lbs licsenes weight must enter scale.
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DaveKamp
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Joined: 12 Apr 2010
Location: LeClaire, Ia
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Posted: 11 Apr 2023 at 7:45am |
 acd17toy wrote:
Of all the times I crossed over into Wi from the Ia side I only seen that scale open a couple of times. If I remember rite the sign says trucks over 10,000 lbs licsenes weight must enter scale.
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That's been my experience. The ONLY time I ever passed by that one and saw that it was actually attended, I was on my GoldWing...  (No, I wasn't pulling a trailer, and if it did, it would certainly be a few pounds less than limits)
Edited by DaveKamp - 11 Apr 2023 at 7:46am
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Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest.
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AC7060IL
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Joined: 19 Aug 2012
Location: central IL
Points: 3466
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Posted: 11 Apr 2023 at 9:02am |
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Mdm1, try your best to be DOT compliant. Most local town’s grain elevator will usually weigh your rig for little to nothing. After a brief cordial conversation with Grain elevator scale attendant, they may allow you per axle weights? Empty & Loaded??
Most state’s “Port of Entry” Weigh Stations are usually open. They are positioned in key artery route(interstates&hwys). Weigh stations within the state may or may not be open? Dave Kamp is correct in that Weigh Station officers are doing their do diligence checklist for their required record keeping, plus for yours & other vehicle’s safety. Besides weight, the officer’s trained eyes look for possible issues the truck/trailer operator may not be aware has happened or could happen?? “Must weigh” & their weight limits signs are usually posted just prior to Weigh Station.
Besides weigh stations, random state DOT (Department of Transportation) inspection sites do occur(interstate, hwy, county roads). An appreciative attitude most generally bodes well for you.
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mdm1
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Onalaska, WI
Points: 2665
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Posted: 11 Apr 2023 at 2:35pm |
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I did go and weigh my truck and trailer. 8360lbs. I am fine with the license plate on the trailer and the truck towing. Full tank of gas. 35gal tank. Everything on the truck and trailer are working as they should. Will chin tractor and maybe strap some smaller things. I just don't go this far to pick something up and try to avoid any problems. I think I should be good now. Thanks to everyone for good honest replies! Mike
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Everything is impossible until someone does it! WD45-trip loader 1947 c w/woods belly mower, 1939 B, #3 sickle mower 1944 B, 2 1948 G's. Misc other equipment that my wife calls JUNK!
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Dorix
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Posted: 11 Apr 2023 at 9:03pm |
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mdm1 sounds like your good, in my experiance here in WI, as long as your not hauling commercial or have anything thats an obvious safety hazard they don't pay much attention to you.
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mdm1
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Onalaska, WI
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Posted: 13 Apr 2023 at 5:17pm |
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Trip went well with no problems. Got what I went for, left a few thinks there for lack of room and my wife is still talking to me!!
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Everything is impossible until someone does it! WD45-trip loader 1947 c w/woods belly mower, 1939 B, #3 sickle mower 1944 B, 2 1948 G's. Misc other equipment that my wife calls JUNK!
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