zasboyer
East Berlin, Pa
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Joined: 07/24/2010
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Hello,
I wanted to see if anyone else has ran in to the following issue, or if any else takes issue with the information provided to me by the Pa Turnpike Commission (PTC).
I applied for an EZ Pass the other day. They asked for simple information such as tags, models, and make.
About two days later I get a phone call about my motor home. They wanted to know the GVW. Being an honest guy, I told them 26,000 pounds. The gal informed me that since the motor home weighs over 15,000 Lbs that it is considered COMMERICAL.
Being in the commercial eyes of the PTC would mean I would have to use $1,000.00 per year of tolls. Something I can not agree to.
Further more, when I signed up for the pass on the net, nothing was mentioned in the Terms and Conditions about a weight class.
I told 3 people I spoke with at the PTC that I do not want to be placed in a commercial category because my motor home is not commercial. They would not budge. They didn't understand that I can't use my coach for making money, rather I spend a lot of money. Some of that money I wanted to give to them to use the toll road.
Does any one else take issue with a private coach being placed in a commercial category? Will they next say that since the PTC considers you commercial, now we consider you commercial. Things like let's see some logs, pull in to weigh stations, stay out of the left lane.
Has anyone else had the same issue with PTC and the weight? If so, how do you handle you EZ Pass?
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Mike and Trish
Mt. Airy, MD
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Joined: 03/02/2008
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Relax, it has nothing to do with log books, weigh stations, etc. Many (if not all) states that use EZPass have a higher-weight category, that for lack of a better name they call "commercial." Let's face it, other than DPs, there are very few non-commercial vehicles out there weighing that much.
As to the amount of tolls, I think we have to consider it our "fair share." Why should a non-commercial heavy vehicle pay less than a commercial vehicle of the same weight? The wear and tear on the highway is the same. I don't like how much tolls (or fuel, or maintenance, etc.) cost for my coach either, but I knew this wouldn't be cheap going in ...
Mike and Trish
2008 Mandalay 43A
2008 Jeep Liberty on Blue Ox towbar
Yorkiepoos - Janis and Jimi
Winter - the rescue kitty
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Bruce Brown
Northern NY
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Joined: 06/01/2001
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Call NYS EZ Pass and tell them what you're doing; they have a motorhome specfic pass and it works on Pa roads. Ours works well.
As to the $1000/year in tolls required, I disagree with Mike 100% on it being alright. If I'm not using the road why should I have to pay for it. For the amount of taxes we already pay why should we have to pay ANY tolls. For that kind of money I'll skip the road completely. We may be heavy, but no where ever close to the weight of the commercial trucks.
* This post was
edited 07/24/10 08:39am by Bruce Brown *
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910
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chewbear
Mobile in the USofA;currently Ozark, Alabama
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Got mine through 'Delaware River Port Authory' in New Jersey. Their largest vechicle was 10,000 lb. Van. Talked to them and they said use that. I would try getting the 'Tag' some where else. I applyed online no problem. I can tell you they, the PTC, soaked me when I went through the 'PA North East Extension' from the 'BlueRoute' to Route 80 with a toad.
2002 Fleetwood Discovery
330 cat. '09 Escape toad.
Kathy & Joe wish you well.
My mind works like lightning,
one brilliant flash and it's
gone. (Maxine)
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Don36G
New Hampshire
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Joined: 10/19/2006
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In NH I pay the same as a non commerical dual rear wheel truck. No questions asked about weight. I am valid in any state that uses EZ pass. I think we all pay more than our fair share at the tolls. When you add vehicle sales tax, registration taxes, fuel taxes and tolls!!! We should have a bridge to Europe by now.
05 Winnebago Journey 36G
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Dgold2
Western Maryland
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Plenty of choices. I live in MD and have my EZ-Pass through VA, as I liked their terms better for the motor-home. I also have one through NJ for my work vehicle. So you do have choices.
Dgold2
Dgold2
2002 Winnebago Journey DL 36LD
330 CAT
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Mike and Trish
Mt. Airy, MD
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Sorry, I may have misunderstood part of the original post -- were they saying you had to pay a minimum of $1,000 per year for tolls, whether you used them or not? I shopped several states for EZPass, including PA, and never heard of such a thing.
Some of the responses I got when shopping MD, DE, PA, VA, and NY, as well as responses here, indicate that the EZPass system is anything but uniform across states. Anyone interested in an EZPass would be well advised to shop around. I decided not to bother, since I don't use toll roads all that often, and would have needed several EZPasses (MH alone, MH w/toad, toad alone) to do it right.
As to what's fair in tolls, it comes down to funding sources. As I understand it, a toll road like the PTP gets its funding largely from tolls, where non-toll roads are funded solely from tax revenues. I don't like tolls either, and avoid them when I can, by going some other way. (I also avoid the PTP because it's a horrible road, but that's another story.) But since we all have to pay tolls sometimes, I find it "unfair" that some EZPass states would let a >26,000-lb. MH pay the same toll as a box van, or whatever, because they can't figure out how to apply a uniform set of rules. But at the same time, I hate that the Chesapeake Bay Bridge charges me more for my MH pulling my car than it would if I unhooked and drove them separately.
I'm just happy to be so fortunate that I'm able to complain about the tolls I pay for my multi-hundred-thousand-$$ motorhome!
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sprintmod1
Allentown, PA
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Joined: 01/29/2004
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I kinda went through this with them 5 years ago. On about the 6th phone call I spoke to someone who seemed to understand.
I own 4 cars and the motorhome. I was told to just add another EZPass for one of my cars. So, we have one of the regular EZPass tags that stays in the motorhome. It is a car pass and when it goes through a toll, I was told it will trigger a manual entry by a booth worker and their scales (the steel plates entering and leaving a toll booth) pick up the weight of the motorhome and they then place us in the correct class. We do NOT put a second pass in the car.
I have checked the billing statement and it has been the correct class and charges all the time.
The less the government knows, the better.
03 American Coach Tradition 40w
02 Winnebago Journey DL 36GD with a 330 cat
Dirt's for racing and asphalt for getting there.
410 sprint car racing fans usually at a track each weekend
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sbmowrey
sc
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Joined: 11/10/2004
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I guess you know you can get one online from any participating state. I went with Indiana as it was free except for the shipping. They charge you $10.00 but it is a credit for your account. Penn. has too much BS on everything for my taste.
2006 Mandalay 40G
2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
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bob_b
Souderton, PA
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I tried to get an EZ Pass from the PA Turnpike several years back and ran into the same stuff. I think that they wanted a $500 deposit. I gave up.
I discovered that if I towed my car (with the EZ Pass in the car) that it would register both vehicles.
'93 Itasca Suncrusier diesel towing a '05 Honda CR-V.
Bob, Pam(DW), Bridget(DD) and Christine(DD)
See you at most of the Penn State tailgates
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