Well, it's stupid rookie question time again. How do I know when or if I need to stop at weigh stations? Is it different by state? Does it differ based on what weight limit my plates are?

It's getting close to time for me to get my new plates, instead of using my old ones transfered from my F150, and I'm trying to decide what weight limit to get. Here in Missouri, you can buy plates with 6, 12, 18, and 24 thousand lb limits. My son-in-law's father has 24s, and says that he has to stop anytime he's pulling a trailer - even when it's an empty utility trailer. I'm curious whether it'll make any difference in having to weigh between 18s and 24s, and what changes when I cross state lines.

I know a lot of you haul big loads (5th-wheel travel trailers, etc.) cross-country, so surely you've dealt with this issue.

While I'm at it, I might as well ask your opinions on max travel trailer sizes (5th-wheel or pull-behind) for my F350 V10 CC FX4 SRW with the Camper Package. As long as I stay below the GVWR, am I OK, or should I keep it below a certain length/weight with SRWs? One guy at the dealer said to stay under 30' with SRWs...what do you think?

Sorry for the dumb questions - never had enough truck to worry about this kind of stuff before.

 

Here is a discussion on that very subject, with a lot of input from a Missouri State Trooper.

Click Here

 

Damn! That link about covers it all. And I only read half so far. Thanks Mark!