Someone I know wants me to haul his backhoe out to him in Michigan (Detroit area). He doesn't know what he's going to get yet, but it is under 14K, and will probably be from MN. My question is, I will be traveling down Wisconsin, into Illinois, Indiana, and up to Michigan along the freeway, will I have to worry about weighin in? I know that there are a couple of tolls on that freeway, will I have to weigh in there, or show papers? I am thining of just bypassing the tolls. How does this system work...?

 

heh... don't worry about weighing in in Michigan... the scales are hardly ever open.. Not sure if you would even have to w/ your pickup?? Anyhow... where abouts in the Detroit area you heading?


Tony

 

It is right by Clinton. My main concern is those stupid Tolls. Do they charge more for bigger vehicles or what?

 

You will pay per axle, same as a big truck.

 

If you are concerned about tolls, you might consider the Upper Penninsula route. It's about a hundred miles longer, and mostly 2-lane until you reach the Mackinac Bridge, but the only toll you'll run into is for the bridge. They charge by the axle. About $1.50 per axle, if I recall. From Minneapolis to Clinton township, my Rand McNally software says that it is 704 miles going the Chicago route, and 803 miles going through the U.P. It will take you about 2 hours longer going through the Upper Penninsula, but it's a beautiful drive, and a lot less nerve-wracking.

Just a thought.

 

I agree with DPG. go up. those silly 35 cent tolls[4 wheeler] on the lower swing thru chicago seem like the're every mile! and easy backed up too

 

I will keep track going down through Chicago, I am traveling that way this weekend (going to the Indy 500 with a friend ). That sounds like a pretty decent idea, going up top. Plus on the way back, I might even stop in at the Michigan Tech College (that's where I plan on going in a year and a half). Plus, I hear that bridge is pretty nifty up there. So I should be alright as far as not having to weigh in since it isn't commercial?

 

Matt, you better check and see if you can get away with not weighing. You are not private in this case. Most of the weigh station signs say, "all trucks and commercial vehicles" which means all trucks over what ever is their minimum weight, commercial or private. The fine is pretty heavy for going around and getting caught.

 

Crimedog:

You'll like Michigan Tech. I have a close friend that just got his master's in mechanical engineering from there. The guys-girls ratio is about 35:1 and summer comes on a Thursday. Other than that, it is one of the best engineering schools in the country.

DeWain

 

Who do I call to check? The Wisconsin and Michigan DOT?

 

I've talked w/ MDOT before when I first got my 5th wheel. They said NO pickups in the weigh stations. Commercial vehicles ONLY.
So you won't have to stop and weigh in MI. That is unless they changed it recently, but I doubt it....


Tony

 

After pulling a 40' 3 axle ,12ton lowboy with a 3500 I've never had a problem will passing wiegth stations.I've just made sure everything was in working shape look decent.In Con. with the 40 was the oly time I had a problem.Iwas stoped in a rest area when I was ask if I could be Inspected & wieghted I just opened the side door and said sure 23 t buckett and Austin Healey were inside.I have found out by driving heavy trucks if you look legal and all lights are working you should be able to drive by.If you have a plack card on the side of your truck you have a better chance of getting stop that and looking ratty.If you read Hemmings I was in it in the back for hauling a car.Tolls go by axle just watch bridge hight and wieght.