The Golden Rule of PPM: "If You Can't Prove It, We Won't Pay It"
In the world of Personally Procured Moves (PPM/DITY), paperwork is king. While your main goal is likely to maximize your financial return (read our Ultimate Guide to PPM Profit for the full strategy), that profit depends entirely on one thing: proving your weight.
You might move 10,000 lbs of household goods across the country, but if you don't have the specific piece of paper proving that weight, the government pays you $0.
The Transportation Management Office (TMO) and Finance Office are notoriously strict. A napkin with a number on it won't cut it. You need Certified Weight Tickets.
At EZ MoveIt, we see service members stress about finding scales and getting the right signatures constantly. That’s why we made it a standard part of our service: We provide the certified proof you need to get paid.
What Exactly Does the TMO Need?
To calculate your incentive payment, the government needs to know the Net Weight of your shipment (Your Stuff). Since you can't weigh just the boxes, you have to weigh the vehicle twice.
Here are the terms you must know:
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Tare Weight (Empty): The weight of the vehicle/trailer before you load your goods. (Full fuel tank, no driver, no passengers).
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Gross Weight (Full): The weight of the vehicle after it is fully loaded.
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Net Weight: Gross - Tare = The weight you get paid for.
Crucial Note: The tickets must be Certified. This means they must come from an official weigh station (like a CAT Scale) and often require the signature of a Weighmaster.
The Checklist: What Makes a Ticket Valid?
A common tragedy is a soldier arriving at their new duty station with weight tickets that get rejected because they lack specific details.
To be accepted by finance, every ticket usually needs:
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Name & Location of the scale.
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Date & Time of the weighing.
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Your Name (Last, First).
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Vehicle ID (License plate or Truck Number).
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Weighmaster’s Signature.
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Clearly labeled "Tare" or "Gross".
If any of these are missing, your claim goes to the bottom of the pile—or gets denied outright.
The "Hard Way": Doing It Yourself
If you are renting a truck and doing a pure DITY move, obtaining these tickets is your responsibility. It adds a layer of logistical stress to an already busy day.
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Find a Scale: You need to locate a certified public scale (often at truck stops, recycling centers, or gravel pits).
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Drive Empty: Before you load a single box, drive the empty truck to the scale. Pay the fee ($10-$15). Get the Tare ticket.
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Load the Truck: Go home, pack, and load everything.
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Drive Full: Drive back to the scale (hopefully it’s open). Pay the fee again. Get the Gross ticket.
The Risk: If you forget to weigh empty and load the truck first, you are in trouble. You cannot unload everything just to get a ticket. You may be forced to accept a "Constructive Weight" (7 lbs per cubic foot), which almost always pays thousands of dollars less than the actual weight.
The "Easy Way": EZ MoveIt Handles It
Why spend your moving day driving back and forth to a truck stop?
When you hire EZ MoveIt for your PPM, we treat the paperwork as seriously as the furniture. Because we are Military Moving Specialists, we know exactly what the TMO requires.
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We Weigh Empty: Our drivers weigh the truck before arriving at your home.
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We Weigh Full: Once loaded, we go directly to a certified scale.
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You Get the Proof: We hand you (or email you) the official Certified Weight Tickets with all required signatures and data.
You simply attach these documents to your DD Form 2278, submit them to your counseling office, and wait for your direct deposit. We guarantee our tickets meet military standards.
Common Mistakes That Delay Payment
Weighing with the Driver Inside
Technically, the regulations state the weight should be of the cargo only. If you sit in the truck for the "Full" weight but weren't in it for the "Empty" weight, your Net Weight is skewed. The TMO is vigilant about this.
Using Uncertified Scales
Ideally, you should use the same scale for both weights, but if you can't, both must be certified. A random warehouse scale without a Weighmaster stamp will be rejected.
Losing the Originals
Always, always make digital copies (photos) of your tickets the second you get them. Thermal paper (used by many scales) can fade in the sun or get lost in the shuffle of moving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find a certified scale?
The most reliable option is CAT Scales, found at most major truck stops (Loves, Pilot, Flying J). You can also check local moving and storage companies or scrap metal yards.
Does the government reimburse the cost of weighing?
Yes! Keep the receipts for the scale fees. These are authorized expenses and will be deducted from your taxable profit.
What if I am towing my own car?
If you are towing a POV (Privately Owned Vehicle), it generally does not count as household weight. You usually need to disconnect the towed car before weighing the rental truck to get an accurate reading of your goods.
Secure Your Paperwork & Your Move
Don't let a paperwork error cost you thousands of dollars. With EZ MoveIt, you get a professional move and the peace of mind that your reimbursement file is audit-proof.