The Valley Reporter reached out to Waitsfield town administrator York Haverkamp for help in answering readers’ questions about whether they can drive across the Waitsfield Covered Bridge which is now posted at three tons or 6,000 pounds.
The confusion is not around passenger cars, but rather trucks. Here’s how Haverkamp explained it.
The most reliable way to determine whether a vehicle may cross is to check the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). GVWR is the manufacturer’s maximum rated weight of a vehicle, including passengers and cargo.
How to check a vehicle’s GVWR:
Step 1: Open the driver‑side door and look inside the door frame or along the door edge.
Step 2: Find the manufacturer’s sticker, a white label required on all modern vehicles.
Step 3: Look for “GVWR” which lists the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Step 4: Compare the number: 6,000 pounds or less: permitted to cross, higher, don’t cross.
Haverkamp said it’s important to consider that many ¾‑ton pickup trucks, large SUVs, vans, and electric vehicles exceed 6,000 pounds and that vehicle size or appearance can be misleading. He reminded drivers that carrying cargo such as materials in a truck bed, toolboxes, racks, plows, or equipment — contributes to total vehicle weight and that towing a trailer may place a vehicle over the weight limit, even if the vehicle alone is rated under 6,000 pounds
Drivers who are unsure of their vehicle’s GVWR are asked not to cross the bridge. A detour is available via the Tremblay Road bridge.
