Question for Ifish truckers

[Point-of-Sale Clerk]

I just returned from a driving trip From Las Vegas.
I drove a GMC 7500 with a 26,000 GVW loaded with Computers, home furnishings, and Office equipment.
I do not have a CDL and the truck was a rental. But the weigh stations said ALL vehicles over 20,000 GVW must pull in. All but one station was closed. I pulled into the open one in Oregon.
My question is what is supposed to happen when you pull into a weigh station?
Are people supposed to be there?
Why are there no instructions as to what to do?
I ran over the scale and it gave several readings, was the last one a total?

Thanks

[fishkisser]

The scale will read both axles and then give a total weight if programmed that way ...
There is usually a scale open or closed sign out before you get to it ...
Being a non commercial vehicle you are obligated to enter a weigh station when posted to ...
http://www.coopsareopen.com/californ...-stations.html

[Point-of-Sale Clerk]

I went into the "open" one but I did not see anyone standing around. Just us long line of trucks slowly driving over the scale at 3 mph. I did not even have to come to a stop.
What were they looking for? If the truck was over weight how would they know I was driving?

[Spotted Owl]

For the most part if your aren't commercial they wont bother with you. Unless you are grossly over weight or appear to be unsafe for some reason.

When you go over the scale, 3mph or less is the standard, roll very slowly over the tables(s). The scale will change for each axle or set of axles. In my truck I'm sure like all trucks they read small to big, as you ease onto the table your tires will ease on aswell and the whole weight of set will not be read until the entire set of rubber is on the scale. Then as you ease off the same thing in reverse. The largest number for the axle or set of, will be the weight for that reading. Combine the front and rear largest numbers for your total weight. Turn off your light completely if possible also, more than once I have seen people stopped because the had a marker light out. They thouht that the switch was off but they still had their running lights on.

Because your can't see the weigh master in the booth doesn't mean they are not there. If the scale is open, and you are rated to roll thru, make darn sure you get in there. If you blow past and they come after you it will e a whole new game. More than likely you will get an entire whole truck inspection and the will look at everything with a microscope. Seen that done when I was the passenger and it was not a good ending, that gamble turned very expensive for the fella driving.

Hope this will help.



Owl

[Point-of-Sale Clerk]

Thanks
Then I do not know what the weight was because it gave 14,700 first axle then 350 with no axle, then 15,200 back axel. I was towing a Hyundai on a dolly as well and the scale did not give a reading for it.
So if the scale was right I had 30,000 on a 26,000 GVW truck?

[HntnFsh]

I cant imagine you having that much weight on the steering axle.if thats the first axle your talking about.