A weight slip, also known as a scale ticket or weight certificate, is a crucial document that verifies the weight of your trailer. Obtaining one is essential for ensuring compliance with legal regulations, determining proper loading capacity, and even facilitating sales transactions. You can generally obtain a weight slip for your trailer at certified public scales, typically found at truck stops, grain elevators, landfills, scrap yards, and commercial trucking companies.
Understanding the Importance of a Weight Slip
Knowing the weight of your trailer is more than just a matter of curiosity. It’s a fundamental aspect of safe and legal trailering. Overloading a trailer can lead to serious accidents, damage your vehicle, and result in hefty fines. Furthermore, having a weight slip provides valuable information for calculating tongue weight, distributing cargo effectively, and matching your trailer to the appropriate tow vehicle. It’s also often required when registering or selling a trailer.
Locating Certified Weighing Stations
Finding a certified weighing station is usually straightforward. Many resources are available to help you pinpoint a suitable location near you.
Truck Stops
Truck stops are perhaps the most readily available option for obtaining a weight slip. Major chains like Pilot Flying J, TravelCenters of America (TA), and Love’s often have certified scales on-site. These scales are typically calibrated regularly and overseen by trained personnel.
Grain Elevators and Agricultural Supply Stores
If you live in a rural area, grain elevators and agricultural supply stores are worth checking. They often have scales to weigh large loads of grain and other agricultural products. While they might not be your first thought, they can be a convenient option depending on your location.
Landfills and Scrap Yards
Landfills and scrap yards frequently use scales to weigh incoming and outgoing materials. These scales are generally certified and accessible for public use, often for a fee.
Commercial Trucking Companies
Some commercial trucking companies operate their own scales for internal use. While not always accessible to the public, it’s worth contacting local trucking companies to inquire about the possibility of using their scales, particularly if you have a commercial trailer.
Online Directories
Several online directories can help you locate certified weighing stations. Websites like ScaleNet and state Department of Transportation (DOT) websites often have searchable databases of certified scales. Using keywords like “commercial scale near me” in a search engine can also yield helpful results.
The Weighing Process: What to Expect
The weighing process is usually quick and simple. Once you’ve located a certified scale, follow these steps:
- Position your trailer: Carefully position your entire trailer on the scale platform, ensuring that no part of the trailer is hanging off the edge. If you are weighing the tow vehicle and trailer together, position both completely on the scale.
- Remain still: Once positioned, remain still until the scale operator signals that the weight reading is complete. Any movement can affect the accuracy of the reading.
- Pay the fee: Weighing services typically involve a fee, which can vary depending on the location. Be prepared to pay in cash or with a credit/debit card.
- Receive your weight slip: The scale operator will provide you with a printed weight slip. Ensure that the slip includes the date, time, scale identification, gross weight, and other relevant information.
Reading and Interpreting Your Weight Slip
The weight slip will typically include several key pieces of information. Understanding these values is essential for ensuring you are within legal weight limits and operating safely.
- Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): This is the total weight of the trailer and its contents.
- Tare Weight: This is the weight of the empty trailer.
- Net Weight: This is the weight of the cargo inside the trailer (Gross Weight minus Tare Weight).
- Axle Weights: Some scales can measure the weight on each axle, which is crucial for ensuring proper weight distribution.
Compare the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) to the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) listed on your trailer’s VIN plate. The GVW should never exceed the GVWR. Also, verify that your axle weights are within the axle weight ratings listed on the trailer.
FAQs: All About Trailer Weight Slips
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of obtaining a weight slip for your trailer:
FAQ 1: How much does it typically cost to get a trailer weighed?
The cost to weigh a trailer usually ranges from $10 to $25, depending on the location and the services offered. Some locations may charge extra for additional copies of the weight slip or for weighing individual axles.
FAQ 2: What information should be included on a valid weight slip?
A valid weight slip should include the following: the date and time of the weighing, the scale location and identification, the gross weight of the trailer, the tare weight (if applicable), and the net weight (if applicable). It should also include the name and signature of the scale operator.
FAQ 3: Do I need to weigh my trailer if it’s empty?
While not always mandatory, weighing an empty trailer is beneficial for determining its tare weight. This information is useful for calculating the weight of your cargo when the trailer is loaded. Knowing the tare weight also allows you to determine how much weight you can legally carry.
FAQ 4: Can I use a bathroom scale to weigh my trailer?
Absolutely not. Bathroom scales are not designed to accurately measure the weight of a trailer, which can easily exceed several thousand pounds. Always use a certified commercial scale for accurate results.
FAQ 5: How often should I get my trailer weighed?
Ideally, you should weigh your trailer every time you load it with a significantly different cargo. This ensures that you are aware of the total weight and avoid overloading. Regular weighing is particularly important if you frequently haul different types of cargo.
FAQ 6: What happens if I’m caught driving with an overloaded trailer?
Driving with an overloaded trailer can result in fines, penalties, and even being required to offload cargo until you are within the legal weight limits. It can also compromise the safety of yourself and others on the road.
FAQ 7: Where can I find the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of my trailer?
The GVWR is typically listed on a metal plate (VIN plate) affixed to the trailer’s frame, usually near the hitch. It may also be listed in the trailer’s owner’s manual.
FAQ 8: Is a weight slip the same as a bill of lading?
No, a weight slip and a bill of lading are different documents. A weight slip verifies the weight of the trailer and its contents, while a bill of lading is a receipt for the shipment of goods and contains details about the cargo, origin, destination, and consignee.
FAQ 9: Can I weigh my trailer and tow vehicle together?
Yes, you can weigh your trailer and tow vehicle together, but it’s important to ensure that both are fully on the scale platform simultaneously. This will give you the combined weight. You’ll still need to know the individual GVWR for each vehicle to ensure compliance.
FAQ 10: What should I do if the weight slip shows that my trailer is overloaded?
If your trailer is overloaded, you should immediately redistribute the cargo or remove some of it to reduce the weight below the GVWR. Failing to do so can result in fines and safety hazards.
FAQ 11: Are all scales at truck stops certified?
While most scales at major truck stop chains are certified, it’s always a good idea to confirm with the scale operator that the scale is indeed certified and calibrated regularly. Look for certification stickers or documentation displayed near the scale.
FAQ 12: Do I need a special license to operate a trailer that requires a weight slip?
Whether you need a special license depends on the combined weight of your tow vehicle and trailer, as well as the regulations in your specific state or jurisdiction. Generally, a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is required for operating vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating) above a certain threshold (often 26,001 pounds). It is essential to check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to understand the specific requirements in your area.
By understanding where to obtain a weight slip and the importance of knowing your trailer’s weight, you can ensure safe and legal trailering practices. Always prioritize safety and compliance to protect yourself, your cargo, and others on the road.