New York State Thruway Tolls

pwb01 · 08-23-2012, 04:55 PM

Where's the logic here? I've towed my conventional trailer on the NYS Thruway and the tolls were based on the number of axles. Now I have a 5th wheel and the toll is based on the number of axles for a commercial tractor trailer because it's a 5th wheel (class 4H). That makes it about 4 times the toll for a regular trailer. The last trip was $4 for 25 miles and I asked what it would have been for a 2 axle conventional trailer and he said $1.15. He also said he was embarrased taking that much money for 5th wheel campers.

To commercial traffic it's a business cost to us it's just too much!

A longer heavier 2 axle conventional trailer would be less toll. Where's the logic here?

I've been critical of the NYS Thruway since they bought the NY canal system which has no tolls. Why would they buy it? Now the drivers pay road tolls to finance the rich yacht owners who don't have to pay to use the locks.

I'm venting, thanks for listening.

Jim-Bev-2363 · 08-23-2012, 05:09 PM

Life will be fair the next time around.

KathleenNY · 08-23-2012, 05:57 PM

I think a letter to the Chair of the Thruway Authority is in order. Might be a good idea to send the same letter to your Assembly person as well.

pwb01 · 08-23-2012, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KathleenNY

I think a letter to the Chair of the Thruway Authority is in order. Might be a good idea to send the same letter to your Assembly person as well.

Sounds like a good idea but the chair and my assembly person might be yacht owners.

Thanks, I'll do that.

264SRinPA · 08-23-2012, 07:08 PM

I thought the height had something to do with the price of tolls in N.Y.

Yep that's it. It's based on the height over your first 2 axles. Travel trailer doesn't sit over the truck axles, a 5th wheel does.

Gene · 08-23-2012, 07:46 PM

Wow, that sound strange so I looked it up here: Vehicle Classification Information - New York State Thruway

Vehicle Classification Information

Vehicle classification is based on the height of the vehicle over the first two axles and the total number of axles, including any towed vehicles or trailers. Vehicles under 7 feet 6 inches in height are considered “LOW” (L). Vehicles 7 feet 6 inches in height or greater are considered “HIGH” (H).
The total number of axles plus the height designation equals the vehicle class as shown in the table (figure 1) below. The diagram (figure2) below shows approximate vehicle heights in relation to the toll booth. Diagram (Figure 3) below shows examples of axle counts on various vehicles. Example: Most two-axle passenger vehicles are Class 2L

I wonder who came up with that method.

pwb01 · 08-29-2012, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene

Vehicle classification is based on the height of the vehicle over the first two axles and the total number of axles, including any towed vehicles or trailers. I wonder who came up with that method.

Thanks and you're right. On another forum I'm finding that this is typical in many states for 5th wheels.

Trailblazer · 08-29-2012, 07:42 PM

If you really want to see a messed up system you should look at the 407ETR toll road we have here in Ontario. We have to constantly watch out for double billings plus we constantly get hit with the charge for towing a heaby multiply unit which requires a telephone call each time you are on the toll road to fix which alwas takes 30 days. Although I know how you feel about the NYS thruway, especially when I got hit by the same thing when we first towed our 5'ver on the thruway it is still much cheaper than our 407 ETR toll road.

Jim-Bev-2363 · 08-30-2012, 05:55 AM

I support the road less traveled and refuse to ride toll roads.

In Florida we have a per axle rate. This sounds simple but nothing imposed by politicians, written by lawyers and the rest of us subjected too can be easy. For multi-axles, take the base toll, divide by two and multiply by the number of axles. Then this can further be complicated by the SunPass, which is cheaper. The local working class complained about the tolls so they get a special rate to ignore how bad other motorists are screwed. Just typical government at work. Rob Peter to pay Paul, unless Peter raises a fuss. Then rob Peter and Paul but give Peter a rebate.

Ahhhh, the land of freedom and justice for all. LOL!

ihsolutions · 08-31-2012, 07:57 PM

I hate toll roads. Thankfully, Michigan doesn't have any.

They add insult to injury. First, it's hard to get on or off for gas or food due to limited exits. Then when you do, get out your wallet... unless you stop at one of the toll road rest areas where you get to choose between two really crappy food options and can fill up with some overpriced gas.

And we get to pay for the privilege. Not to mention, every time I go on one, the dang thing is under construction!