First time in a long time the CHiPs had a portable weigh station and smog dyno out on the road one block from my house. They were there all day randomly pulling people out of line. They set up a temporary stop sign in the middle of the block where there was no way to get out of it.

 

I used to see these all the time when I lived out there. I lived near pismo beach and they would set up those portable deals and stop all the campers headed to the beach. Seemed unfair, but at the same time I saw some very unsafe and over loaded rigs.

 

Can you tell me how they determine what is "overweight"? Just curious.

Steve

 

They're looking for truck that are over their GVWR and GAWR by using moblie scales.

 

Sure would like the see the law that says that the weight police can do that to non-commercial vehicles.

 

I can't remember the exact law, but in California all pick-ups are considered commerical vehicles at the time of registration. This gives law enforcement a loop-hole of sorts to stop pick-ups pulling any sort of trailer for a safety inspection and/or weigh in. The only way around this is to exlicitly state at the time of registration that the truck will never be used for commercial purposes. Of course DMV never tells anyone that because they're registered by weight which makes the state more money.

 

You can register non commercial in Ca, However a cop can then give you a ticket if you have anything in the bed including groceries.

 

Interesting law.

 

You can also go non commercial with an in bed camper. That's about it. Take it out and nothing goes in its place.

 

I am amazed that someone with money to burn hasn't challenged this in court!

 

Are these big ticket items?

 

I'm sure the ACLU has tried. They take everything to court.

 

No idea, never got one.

 

This is VERY hard to believe...... I think I'd need to talk to someone this has really happened to......

 

This is VERY hard to believe...... I think I'd need to talk to someone this has really happened to...... We do live in the USA, not Russia.