This post may contain affiliate links or mention our own products, please check out our disclosure policy.

Do RVs Have To Stop At Weigh Stations?

Published on November 21st, 2018 by Nancy Ferri
This post was updated on November 17th, 2021

DO RVS HAVE TO STOP AT WEIGH STATIONS?

Every new RVer hitting the road in their larger travel trailer, 5th wheel, or motorhome eventually asks, do RVs have to stop at weigh stations? The answer is Yes and No depending on which state you are driving in and its particular laws. However, after researching this topic, I’d have to go with saying the answer is generally, No.  Sound judgment always comes into play in traveling. Knowing state laws certainly can make your travels a lot less complicated.  Let’s take a look at this baffling question.

IS THE LAW REALLY THE LAW?

The AAA Digest of Motor Laws has answers about various oddities of the law while driving.  There are specific state laws on weigh stations. But it appears that most states may look the other way when an RV comes rolling by.

You can rest assured if your Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is less than 10,000 pounds, you will never be required to stop at a weigh station in the USA.  GCWR means the maximum allowed weight of a vehicle, its passengers and cargo including towing an RV and its contents.

Sign up for the newsletter today!

Please enter a valid email address.

An error occurred. Please try again later.

× logo

Thank you for subscribing to the Camper Report newsletter, keep your eye on your inbox for updates.

For instance, a pickup truck may have a GCWR of 15,000 pounds.  Let’s assume the weight of the truck, with passengers and cargo is 6,800 lbs.  This leaves you the ability to tow an 8,200 lb. RV that is fully loaded (including cargo).

There are actually almost half of the states whose laws declare a stop is necessary. Or, they have specific laws laid out if your GCWR exceeds 10,000 lbs.  

When you combine your tow vehicle, your RV, plus the cargo in both, you very well may exceed 10,000 lbs.  Let’s not forget about motorhomes either. Many motorhomes tow a vehicle, and remember, all that counts in the world of weigh stations.  

State Specific Limits

Colorado and Oregon’s weight limit states 26,000 pounds.  If your RV or vehicle/RV combination exceeds that amount, a stop at the weigh station is necessary.  

An officer may require you to pull over at a weigh station or you may be directed by signage in Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.  These states do not have a specific stated weight limit for RVs and vehicles. They simply have random checks at their discretion.

Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey and Wisconsin are notable. They require single or in combination (towing a trailer or car) vehicles to stop. That’s if the GCWR is 10,000 lbs. or more.

Pennsylvania laws simply state that regardless of size any “large” recreational vehicle is subject to inspection.  I suppose it will be up to you to determine the meaning of “large.”

South Dakota, Virginia and Washington require trucks over the weight limit of 8,000, 7,500 and 10,000 lbs.  The word “commercial” was not included in the description of a truck. Double check on the weigh station laws in these states.

It appears that while in Canada, any officer may require you to pull over at a weigh station.  You can be required to do so by an officer or a sign. Nova Scotia was the only province in Canada with a specific law. It states that “all vehicles over 4,500 kg (9,920 pounds) weight must stop, or when directed to by a sign.”

Knowing your RVs weight is critical, even if you don’t have to stop at weigh stations

I REALLY HAVE TO DO THIS?

Now with all this said, are you confused yet?  Are you still asking yourself, do RVs need to stop at weigh stations? I certainly was so investigated further with some states to ensure what I was reading pertained to RVs.  

New Jersey law states, “New Jersey requires all vehicles that weigh 10,001 lbs. or more to weigh.”  Louisiana law states, “The following vehicles must stop: (1) agricultural vehicles; (2) passenger or specialty vehicles, either single or in combination (towing a trailer) with GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or more; (3) commercial trucks with GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or more.”

Yep, I agree with you.  This leaves a lot of questions in the mind of the law-abiding citizen. Trying to interpret it all and do the right thing is hard.

So, I read dozens of RV forums with 99% forum conversationalists in agreement that you never need to stop at a weigh station when driving a motorhome or towing an RV because it is not “commercial.”  These 99% stated they had never stopped nor ever been pulled over for not stopping.

The forum conversations I read pertained to many people who have driven throughout the lower 48 states. They drove semi-trucks professionally, or wanna-be-lawyers interpreted a state’s law.  The most you may get from a weigh station you pull into is a look of “Why the heck are you in here?” Or, you’ll get a laugh and a wave to get you out of their way.

I did read of one gentleman who said he was “run down” in NM. He didn’t stop at the weigh station.  Another obeyed a sign along his travels that stated RVs must stop at the weigh station.

Is an officer is waving you over? Does a sign dictate that ALL vehicles over a weight limit are to pull over? Common sense certainly tells one to make the stop.  Perhaps there is a particular stretch of road or a specific reason RVs are being directed through the weigh station. You don’t want to chance getting a fine. As the saying goes, “better safe than sorry.”

CONCLUSION

Hmmm, so do RVs have to stop at weigh stations?  

Well, despite their name, scales are not the only thing involved at weigh stations.  Many weigh stations perform visual safety checks, such as checking tires and lug nuts to ensure the wheels are tight.  Additionally, some inspectors will check a truck’s suspension and exterior lights. U.S. bridges have an acceptable maximum weight of 800 lbs. of tire pressure per square inch.  This is federal law, but it is up to each state to enforce it via weigh stations.

Having enough manpower is an issue in many state weigh stations.  Trucks are known to pass weigh stations by, however, the station lacks the manpower to bring them back.  

It’s more likely that an RV will not need to make a weigh station stop. Playing “dumb” if you are stopped can’t hurt.

If you’re a “play it safe” kind, you may feel better stopping at some weigh stations. Do your own checks and balances on whether you’ll need to weigh in.  Of course, RVers also love being the adventurous type. You may want to “Thelma and Louise” it down the highway and laugh as you pass by the weigh station.

7 thoughts on “Do RVs Have To Stop At Weigh Stations?”

  1. As I was traveling through Idaho I got a light to exit at the weigh station. As I crossed the scale my weight wasn’t even displayed and the light remained green. I assume I was pulled in strictly because of the gross weight of my 40 foot motorhome.

    Reply
  2. Well with so many states not requiring an annual safety inspection of personal vehicles and RVs, I would hope that they would be required to stop at the weigh stations for inspections at least once annually. Just saying, it is for their own and every other persons safety to have at least on annual safety inspection when goi g down the roadways across the nation! None of us should be driving around in vehicles that aren’t inspected at least annually.

    Reply
  3. Hi! Besides all that weighing station question, I’ve heard about laws that specify things about the towing capacity of your pickup versus the trailer you’re hooked to. Being from Canada, and hoping to eventually head to US for a few months, is there any related readings you could send me so I’m getting prepared? Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Nebraska does have signs that light up telling which vehicles must exit, Most of the time pulling our mobel hotel room, I have had to stop. But never have had an issue. I do know they will ticket you if you run the scale if they have the manpower, by talking to others.

    Reply
  5. Pulling through the scales and driver’s license requirements for RV’s are total grey areas. It is all up to the individual officer as to what he/she considers to be the law. Key word being “consider”, which may or may not be the letter of the law. But as a DMV friend of mine once said “all you have to remember is he’s got the badge, he;s got the gun, and you ain’t going to win the argument”.

    Reply
  6. Never have stopped and never will, if they want you they can chase you down. They cannot even keep up with the big trucks let alone reach down to RVs

    Reply
  7. I live in maryland and was traveling out west with my f250 crew cab and a 32ft travel trailer. In Nebraska a weight scale sign stated all trucks and trailers. I was measured and told I was 3 feet to long. I started I’m from maryland. He did not care. They checked the truck then the camper and I was able to go on my way.

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Welcome! Please follow these guidelines:

  • Be kind and respectful.
  • Keep comments relevant to the article.
  • Avoid insults, threats, profanity, and offensive remarks.
  • Refrain from discussing gun rights, politics, or religion.
  • Do not post misleading information, personal details, or spam.

We may hide or remove comments at our discretion.