Fifth Wheelin'
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Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Fifth Wheelers Take Toll Thumping--Other RVs Get Off

Fifth-wheel folks who use the New York State Thruway--the largest toll highway system in the country--may have something to kick about. The Thruway, which is funded strictly by user tolls, has an interesting way of calculating toll charges--based on the number of axles and the height of the rig.

Vehicles 7-foot, 6-inches or greater in height over the first two axles are classified as 'high' and charged at a higher rate, and that includes some fifth-wheel trailers.

The bottom line: Fifth wheel users are charged almost double what travel trailer users pay, and the latter pay even more than motorhome users. Even with special discount passes available to users, fifth wheel owners are still stuck with some of the highest toll rates around. A couple of fiver owners whose 'hides were chapped' by this dirty discrimination wrote in protest to the Albany Times Union. Their reporters looked into the matter, and 'sho' 'nuf', fiver folks really can expect to pay more.

So if you're planning a New York Moment and it involves a fifth wheel on the Thruway, take plenty of cash.

Photo: Fifth wheel owners line up for handouts after paying Thruway tolls. Tung N. Chic photos.

posted by Russ and Tiña De Maris at 11:58 AM

7 Comments:

  • The 'causeway' between Covington and New Orleans also charges extra for height over 8' as I recall. It doesn't make sense as when it's windy, motorcyles, trailers, and glass carrying vehicles are not allowed on it.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:08 AM  

  • Yup, we did the NY Thruway last summer-EXPENSIVE.

    Instead of taking lots of cash, take other roads. NY State has a lot of good roads that are great for towing and the scenery is much better than the Thruway.

    By Blogger Alex, at 7:35 AM  

  • I paid the extra for a truck camper. I though the toll attendant was joking. I can't understand why I can load my truck with other equipment and not pay the tax, but if I put my camper on it, they charge extra.
    Do they warn you about the extra charge before hand? I didn't see anything. How can they let you ride for miles only to add another fee that you didn't know about?

    By Blogger diyer, at 9:19 AM  

  • We had to pay the same as the biggest 5th wheels and we haul a 19' single axle, fiberglass scamp that weights 3000 pounds. The person at the toll both said we were going to get "shafted" and we did. Won't do that again.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:35 PM  

  • I too have recently been a victim of the NY toll system. I don't mind paying my fair share but $27.00 to cross the Tapanzie Bridge is a little out of the norm. I have a 3 axile 5er pulled with an F-450. Cars are $4.00. I guess I will have to try harder to aviod NY toll systems or just the state all together

    By Blogger Mike, at 5:56 AM  

  • The Mass Turnpike also charges significantly more than for a car because of the dual wheels on a Dodge 3500 traveling without the fiver.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:19 PM  

  • Sure glad to know ahead of time about New York. My wife and I have a wonderful Jayco 5th and we were thinking of touring up that way. But we don't have to go through New York.
    High tolls, high diesel, there becomes a decision to make.

    By Anonymous virnlinda, at 8:22 AM  

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