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Topic: ez pass/toll pass placement on class A

Posted By: dcason on 05/12/22 08:49am

I did look for topics on this but no go.

Where do I put my ezpass on a class A. The bottom of front window is fairly high up...good enough?


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Posted By: bukhrn on 05/12/22 09:29am

I don't know why it wouldn't work there, unlike my class C, mounted the pass at the top of the windshield, worked in most places but did have a few where it wouldn't read, like once in PA, and always had a problem on NY State Thruway, (I-90), so I now have the license plate mounted one, no problem since.


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Posted By: dcason on 05/12/22 12:27pm

Wait! License plate mounted on? what is that? I can use the window for now.


Posted By: ferndaleflyer on 05/12/22 12:29pm

I have a mobile one and just hold it up in the windshield. Has worked all over the country


Posted By: ItsyRV on 05/12/22 02:10pm

dcason wrote:

Wait! License plate mounted on? what is that? I can use the window for now.

Some states/providers offer what's called a Bumper/License plate mounted EZPass. It's basically a snickers size plastic unit that can be screwed to a bumper or a license plate. For most RV's with windshields that have no overhead obstruction, regular EZPass units work fine. For RV's with overhead obstructions, the windshield units may have issues. The amount and frequency of issues probably are not worth the added potential for the EZPass transponder to get stolen (held on by screws in plastic tabs that can easily be broken off) when out in the open.

I have the exterior that is mounted up near the clearance lights. This gives me no obstruction (highest clearest area on my RV's front) and never had any issue with it being read. Never had a missed toll or red light since mounting it high and forward.


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Posted By: rk911 on 05/12/22 02:23pm

dcason wrote:

I did look for topics on this but no go.

Where do I put my ezpass on a class A. The bottom of front window is fairly high up...good enough?


i put ours in the overhead compartment above the driver's chair.


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Posted By: bukhrn on 05/12/22 02:43pm

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* This post was edited 05/12/22 02:55pm by bukhrn *


Posted By: Dale.Traveling on 05/13/22 10:30am

Top center driver's side (split windshield). Been there since 2011 with no violations and I usually hit a toll at least once a year for any number of the bridge tunnels in the Norfolk Virginia area.

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Posted By: Dutch_12078 on 05/13/22 06:06pm

I mounted our E-ZPass transducer on the windshield about where a rear view mirror would be on our Class A in 2013. Haven't had any problems using it multiple times each year...


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Posted By: Don and Eileen on 04/21/23 01:39pm

I'm looking for toll pass information, too. We're looking at the Uni and will be in our Class A towing our car. Do we need a separate unit for each vehicle?


Don and Eileen



Posted By: cptqueeg on 04/21/23 01:43pm

.

* This post was edited 04/21/23 03:29pm by cptqueeg *


Posted By: Don and Eileen on 04/21/23 01:53pm

We're in a Class A, towing a car. Not a vehicle towing a trailer. This is all new to us. Since our motorhome plate is only in the rear and we're towing, how will the plate be read or does it matter with the Uni?


Posted By: Don and Eileen on 04/21/23 02:00pm

EZ-Pass or E-Pass for traveling multiple states and then we get a Uni transponder? So confusing!


Posted By: ferndaleflyer on 04/21/23 02:06pm

My EZ pass is in the windshield of my DP, only tag is on the rear and I have towed our Smart car on a dolly all over with the EZ pass no problem. I move the pass from vehicle to vehicle and its never been a problem either.


Posted By: Don and Eileen on 04/21/23 02:14pm

We just called Epass and got some answers. Since both vehicle (motorhome and tow vehicle) are "drivable", we need a transponder for both. We'll order the Uni through Amazon and continue to muddle our way through. :-)


Posted By: univmd on 04/21/23 02:32pm

E-ZPass Maryland sometimes charges my toad twice whether I use a transponder in RV and toad or just the RV. E-ZPass says I have to contact them whenever this happens to get a refund. Annoying.


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Posted By: Don and Eileen on 04/21/23 03:03pm

We'll have to watch the billing for that issue, univmd. Thank you.


Posted By: cptqueeg on 04/21/23 03:28pm

.


Posted By: cptqueeg on 04/21/23 03:46pm

Don and Eileen wrote:

We just called Epass and got some answers. Since both vehicle (motorhome and tow vehicle) are "drivable", we need a transponder for both. We'll order the Uni through Amazon and continue to muddle our way through. :-)


The next time you call you're likely to get a different answer, unfortunately. Doing it their way is bound to be much more expensive than necessary since you're paying full boat twice.

Make a commercial account w the correct tow vehicle (Class A) and add your car's plate # as a 2 axle trailer.

When you asked them if a separate ezpass transponder was needed for a car on a trailer what did they say? How about a car on a dolly?


Posted By: cptqueeg on 04/21/23 04:03pm

Here's another quirk to keep in mind. It takes overnight to get a low balance warning and then another overnight for the payment to become active even though the CC payment was billed a split second after they pinged your CC account. I've had a toll taker take the transponder because of a below zero balance!

If you have a below zero balance the result is some pretty serious money if for instance you travel through NY - NJ - DE - MD - DC in 1 day. They all add massive penalties for non-payment.

I've towed up and down the eastern seaboard and commuted across toll bridges since the inception of EZ pass. It's a godsend to have, but it's a pia at times. When I started in NY there were actually 2 different systems, 1 run by NYC and 1 by NYS!!!


Posted By: Romer1 on 04/21/23 04:50pm

My I-Pass automatically refills when my balance hits $10, so I never worry about running out.


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Posted By: cptqueeg on 04/21/23 05:14pm

Romer1 wrote:

My I-Pass automatically refills when my balance hits $10, so I never worry about running out.



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Posted By: ferndaleflyer on 04/21/23 05:17pm

2 solutions to running out. Have a higher refill amount and a higher bank. Mine is from the PA Turnpike and has never failed me other than having to get a new transponder once years ago.


Posted By: cptqueeg on 04/21/23 05:26pm

ferndaleflyer wrote:

2 solutions to running out. Have a higher refill amount and a higher bank. Mine is from the PA Turnpike and has never failed me other than having to get a new transponder once years ago.


Yes you can easily avoid penalties by planning ahead by keeping a higher balance(but they don't like that either at times.)

A few days in advance of a big toll day call or use your online account to add money to your account. However even automatic replenishing at a high(er) amount is no guarantee that money will be there when you need it because of the need for overnights when they update all accounts.


Posted By: Don and Eileen on 04/21/23 05:54pm

cptqueeg, I hear what you're saying about inconsistent answers, but what I've garnered is that when folks ask about more than one transponder while using an RV they're often asking about towing a trailer or fifth wheel. She explained to me that if the vehicle is drivable, it needs its own transponder. I'd rather pay the (relatively) small cost of getting a second one to alleviate any anxiety. We ordered it today from Amazon.


Posted By: Don and Eileen on 04/21/23 05:58pm

cptqueeg, We're originally from MA where the tolls were throwing a quarter in the bucket to get across the NH border on 95 or the .10 tolls in NJ when we traveled down that way. (Not counting the Tapenzee Bridge or Newburgh, etc. It's been a while since we've been back in our motorhome and discovering that some (many?) toll booths require a pass and if we didn't have one there's no recourse. I can't imagine how many folks from out here in the west don't realize that.


Posted By: cptqueeg on 04/21/23 06:07pm

Don and Eileen wrote:

cptqueeg, I hear what you're saying about inconsistent answers, but what I've garnered is that when folks ask about more than one transponder while using an RV they're often asking about towing a trailer or fifth wheel. She explained to me that if the vehicle is drivable, it needs its own transponder. I'd rather pay the (relatively) small cost of getting a second one to alleviate any anxiety. We ordered it today from Amazon.



I understand, and I like to follow directions myself and want to trust the person that's telling me something to. But too often especially in a case they don't face often they'll try to answer as best they can(w/out experience or training) and try to get you off the phone asap. I don't fault you for using a transponder in each vehicle it's relatively little money to have that peace of mind.


Posted By: cptqueeg on 04/21/23 06:12pm

Don and Eileen wrote:

cptqueeg, We're originally from MA where the tolls were throwing a quarter in the bucket to get across the NH border on 95 or the .10 tolls in NJ when we traveled down that way. (Not counting the Tapenzee Bridge or Newburgh, etc. It's been a while since we've been back in our motorhome and discovering that some (many?) toll booths require a pass and if we didn't have one there's no recourse. I can't imagine how many folks from out here in the west don't realize that.


They call it the Mario Cuomo Bridge these days after they replaced the Tapan Zee Bridge about 4 years ago. I think for those w/out ez pass they bill you based on your plate number, at least that's the way it works crossing the Hudson.

My family is from Braintree btw.


Posted By: Dutch_12078 on 04/21/23 06:26pm

We have two NYS issued E-ZPass transponders for our motorhome, one coded for just the motorhome, and one coded for when we're towing our toad. Other E-ZPass states have never had a problem reading the currently used transponder, and the NYS Thruway charges us passenger car per axle rates under their "Motorhome Plan" instead of the higher "tall vehicle" per axle rates.


Posted By: cptqueeg on 04/21/23 07:51pm

Dutch_12078 wrote:

We have two NYS issued E-ZPass transponders for our motorhome, one coded for just the motorhome, and one coded for when we're towing our toad. Other E-ZPass states have never had a problem reading the currently used transponder, and the NYS Thruway charges us passenger car per axle rates under their "Motorhome Plan" instead of the higher "tall vehicle" per axle rates.


QFT


Posted By: Tvov on 04/22/23 07:10am

Romer1 wrote:

My I-Pass automatically refills when my balance hits $10, so I never worry about running out.


Same here. My EZPass is connected to my credit card, just automatically maintains whatever need to be maintained. There is no running out or refilling.

I thought all toll passes were setup like this.


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Posted By: Tvov on 04/22/23 07:15am

Dutch_12078 wrote:

We have two NYS issued E-ZPass transponders for our motorhome, one coded for just the motorhome, and one coded for when we're towing our toad. Other E-ZPass states have never had a problem reading the currently used transponder, and the NYS Thruway charges us passenger car per axle rates under their "Motorhome Plan" instead of the higher "tall vehicle" per axle rates.


I need to check, but with my New Jersey EZPass my pickup truck is listed as might be towing, or something like that. As far as I can tell the EZPass charges me for the TT if I am towing, and charges me as a regular vehicle if not towing.

What seems really odd to me is the other poster who said the toad has to be accounted for differently than a trailer, since it has a motor or something? If you are towing a vehicle, than it should just be considered a "trailer" (or towed object?). But then there would probably be less fees by doing that...


Posted By: cptqueeg on 04/22/23 07:25am

^^In the old days we went through toll lanes w booths sensors were in place to detect trailers and number of axles and billed accordingly. Now that many tolls are taken from overhead sensors/cameras at full speed the old system of counting on the sensors to bill for a trailer correctly isn't always viable and it appears to vary by state as well, like in MA, where MA ezpass holders can use express lanes users of other states passes must use a manned toll booth to insure proper billing.

Like Dutch states the most fool proof method is to have a transponder for each configuration that you use on toll roads.

* This post was edited 04/22/23 07:45am by cptqueeg *


Posted By: cptqueeg on 04/22/23 07:44am

Tvov wrote:

Romer1 wrote:

My I-Pass automatically refills when my balance hits $10, so I never worry about running out.


Same here. My EZPass is connected to my credit card, just automatically maintains whatever need to be maintained. There is no running out or refilling.

I thought all toll passes were setup like this.


You're dead wrong about not running out. I can assure you it's possible and has happened. The computer systems of ezpass update in the overnight hours so if you're traveling through tolls and your low balance triggers a replenishment from your CC it's not posted until overnight. The low balance can be below zero quickly and you're going to get penalized.


Posted By: Romer1 on 04/22/23 08:29am

cptqueeg wrote:

Tvov wrote:

Romer1 wrote:

My I-Pass automatically refills when my balance hits $10, so I never worry about running out.


Same here. My EZPass is connected to my credit card, just automatically maintains whatever need to be maintained. There is no running out or refilling.

I thought all toll passes were setup like this.


You're dead wrong about not running out. I can assure you it's possible and has happened. The computer systems of ezpass update in the overnight hours so if you're traveling through tolls and your low balance triggers a replenishment from your CC it's not posted until overnight. The low balance can be below zero quickly and you're going to get penalized.


It may be possible, but I've been using I-Pass since 1997 and have yet to be charged for going below zero. I have 3 transponders and when towing, the transponder in the toad is wrapped in aluminum foil so it doesn't register. I know I exceed the $40 balance when towing from Il thru IN, OH and NY every year and have yet to be penalized. Last year I had a $56.30 toll in PA June 30th (and a negative $42.14 balance) and I-pass replenished my account on 7/2 with no penalty.

* This post was edited 04/22/23 08:44am by Romer1 *


Posted By: Don and Eileen on 04/22/23 03:39pm

Next question - we're setting up the two transponders, but don't seem to be able to link them on one account? I'm guessing we need to just start over after we've set up the motorhome and do a separate account for the car? Every time we try to link them, it brings us to the page where you order another transponder. We don't need that. We bought two of them from Amazon.


Posted By: ferndaleflyer on 04/22/23 08:08pm

They have this old school thing called a phone. Call your provider and have them set it up for you.


Posted By: Scottiemom on 04/23/23 04:31am

The Uni covers the same as the EZ Pass, like 19 states. I purchased them when they first came out here in Florida. I was using the SunPass at the time which only worked on Florida toll roads. The first time I used the Uni here, it did not pick up and as I sailed through the gate, it flashed "Stop, pay toll." I did not want to pay double which is what you pay for the charge by plate. I called it in and was told it should have been there the same day on my account. Took three days. On my SunPass, it was there as soon as I logged in. So I sent the Uni's back. Shortly after that, SunPass came out with the SunPass Pro which covers the same as the Uni, plus some bridges. First trip Florida to Indiana it worked like a charm. Even picked me up on the new Louisville bridge, West Virginia turnpike, etc.

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Posted By: CWilson on 04/23/23 06:13am

cptqueeg wrote:

Tvov wrote:

Romer1 wrote:

My I-Pass automatically refills when my balance hits $10, so I never worry about running out.


Same here. My EZPass is connected to my credit card, just automatically maintains whatever need to be maintained. There is no running out or refilling.

I thought all toll passes were setup like this.


You're dead wrong about not running out. I can assure you it's possible and has happened. The computer systems of ezpass update in the overnight hours so if you're traveling through tolls and your low balance triggers a replenishment from your CC it's not posted until overnight. The low balance can be below zero quickly and you're going to get penalized.


Bullsheet.


Posted By: ferndaleflyer on 04/23/23 08:30am

One time mine did not pick up on the WV turn pike. I stopped, pointed at my EZ pass and the woman in the booth just motioned me to go on.


Posted By: Executive45 on 04/23/23 04:24pm

ferndaleflyer wrote:

One time mine did not pick up on the WV turn pike. I stopped, pointed at my EZ pass and the woman in the booth just motioned me to go on.


LMAO I did the same thing once in Califprnia. About 25 mins later I got pulled over by the Chippies asking me why I didn't pay. Apparently the toll taker called them after I passed. After a bit of a conversation, I went on my way with no ticket. California apparently charges by the number of axles so if you're towing a car you have 5 axles and are charged about double what it'd be with just a car and moho. (head slap) I no longer use toll roads if possible....Dennis


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Posted By: ferndaleflyer on 04/23/23 05:32pm

Dennis don't know if I said it before but glad to see you back in here. The bridge from MD into VA toll for 4 axles is $18 and for 5 axles it is $36. Reason is tractor trailers are mostly 5 axles. And the option is the DC, Baltimore area traffic but they were only charging south bound last time I passed there.


Posted By: Dutch_12078 on 04/23/23 06:36pm

cptqueeg wrote:

Tvov wrote:

Romer1 wrote:

My I-Pass automatically refills when my balance hits $10, so I never worry about running out.


Same here. My EZPass is connected to my credit card, just automatically maintains whatever need to be maintained. There is no running out or refilling.

I thought all toll passes were setup like this.


You're dead wrong about not running out. I can assure you it's possible and has happened. The computer systems of ezpass update in the overnight hours so if you're traveling through tolls and your low balance triggers a replenishment from your CC it's not posted until overnight. The low balance can be below zero quickly and you're going to get penalized.


I've gotten notices on my phone from my CC company within a few minutes of passing through a toll booth that my E-ZPass account has been replenished. The charge may not have shown up on my account online until later, but E-ZPass has never charged me a penalty.


Posted By: Don and Eileen on 04/25/23 07:35am

ferndaleflyer wrote:

They have this old school thing called a phone. Call your provider and have them set it up for you.

Thank you for your kind suggestion, but it was the weekend and since we've had wonderful support here on this forum from many very kind people eager to help, we thought we'd reach out. Your suggestion has been filed.


Posted By: cptqueeg on 04/25/23 07:46am

Dutch_12078 wrote:

cptqueeg wrote:

Tvov wrote:

Romer1 wrote:

My I-Pass automatically refills when my balance hits $10, so I never worry about running out.


Same here. My EZPass is connected to my credit card, just automatically maintains whatever need to be maintained. There is no running out or refilling.

I thought all toll passes were setup like this.


You're dead wrong about not running out. I can assure you it's possible and has happened. The computer systems of ezpass update in the overnight hours so if you're traveling through tolls and your low balance triggers a replenishment from your CC it's not posted until overnight. The low balance can be below zero quickly and you're going to get penalized.


I've gotten notices on my phone from my CC company within a few minutes of passing through a toll booth that my E-ZPass account has been replenished. The charge may not have shown up on my account online until later, but E-ZPass has never charged me a penalty.


Yes you have been charged, the money has been sent, but the ezpass system doesn't actually apply the credit to your account till their system updates overnight.

The penalties are NOT an everyday thing it just happens when you're going through a lot of tolls on 2 consecutive days. I have found that it's better to manually put the money on the account days prior to that type of travel than to depend on their less than quick updates.


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