Innovative Tolls Transponder positioning

[EA37TS]

First, this thread pertains to Class C and Super C only and specifically the Open Roads Innovative Tolls transponder.

If you use this transponder on a Class C or Super C where did you position the transponder and how does it work in that location?

 

[ghnl]

Are you interested in where I position our E Z Pass?

In our Class C I put it in the bottom, center of the windshield. The overhang above would otherwise block the toll readers from being able to 'see' the transponder. Never had a problem.

 

[Bob Nodine]

First, this thread pertains to Class C and Super C only and specifically the Open Roads Innovative Tolls transponder.

If you use this transponder on a Class C or Super C where did you position the transponder and how does it work in that location?

We have both the Sunpass and the EZpass and both work just fine by laying them on the dash in front of the passenger where there is an indention for storing items.

 

[16ACE27]

There are basically two types of toll transponder:
The RFID sticker that attaches to the windshield. These normally need to be near the top but two inches away from the black dot strip and work fine where used even on Class C RVs or RVs with a brow like an ACE. The Sunpass sticker is an example as well as EGo Plus:

The others, like the one in question here, are battery powered active transponders and their placement is nowhere near as critical as the sticker. In fact, if you don't want it to be read anywhere in a car or RV you need to put it in the microwave for shielding or an RF shielded zip lock bag or one of the RF shielded bags from the jungle site:

https://www.amazon.com/Ez-Pass-Pouch/s?k=Ez+Pass+Pouch

 

[SGilbert]

I recently got a replacement for my IPass/EZPass transponder. The sticker is far faster and works at a greater distance than the transponder did.

I even got a refund of $10 deposit on the transponder as the sticker is free.

Draw back, however, is that I cannot change vehicles with the sticker. I had to request another for the motorhome. They asked the type of vehicle, number of axles, and number of tires. I got, at no charge, a transponder for the motorhome--no sticker. Go figure!

(FWIW, even though I live in Indiana, I have this through Illinois's IPass system. They do not charge for service as Indiana's EZPass charges a service fee of $1/month)

 

[RV Driver]

I have the blue plastic EZpass. I tossed it on the dash when I got it 10 years ago. Haven’t touched it since. It’s always worked. Placement is not that critical.

 

[thisoldman]

I was told by the local EZPass authority that a license plate mounted transponder was the only option for a Class C, as they did not believe a windshield mounted unit would work, at least not reliably. I purchased the external transponder in 2019, shortly after I bought our Chateau.

Although the plate mounted transponder usually works just fine, there have been a handful of times when it has not been read successfully. This occurred most recently last September when we crossed the Governor Mario M. Cuomo (née Tappan Zee) Bridge north of New York City. Curiously, it had worked just fine when we crossed the same bridge five months earlier. When I received a toll-by-plate bill in the mail for this crossing I contacted the NY state EZPass authority, who quickly voided the bill and charged my EZPass account the correct (and significantly smaller) amount.

 

[SGilbert]

thisoldman,
I have no idea why they said it wouldn't work.
However, if you have a large overhead bunk, it might shield the far overhead 'on the fly' readers that I encountered in NY last year.
All other readers should work just fine.

See ghnl's post above (post #2)

 

[16ACE27]

I was told by the local EZPass authority that a license plate mounted transponder was the only option for a Class C, as they did not believe a windshield mounted unit would work, at least not reliably. I purchased the external transponder in 2019, shortly after I bought our Chateau.

View attachment 865023

Although the plate mounted transponder usually works just fine, there have been a handful of times when it has not been read successfully. This occurred most recently last September when we crossed the Governor Mario M. Cuomo (née Tappan Zee) Bridge north of New York City. Curiously, it had worked just fine when we crossed the same bridge five months earlier. When I received a toll-by-plate bill in the mail for this crossing I contacted the NY state EZPass authority, who quickly voided the bill and charged my EZPass account the correct (and significantly smaller) amount.

Florida runs "Toll by Plate" instances through the Sunpass and EPass databases first for a match before they actually send out a bill. Takes care of that random "read failure" or "I left the transponder in the other vehicle" issues automatically.

 

[469]

I recently started towing my Jeep Wrangler with my Class C and didn't consider where to mount the I-Pass until I got the bill and was charged twice for the toad. Once on the motorhome I-Pass for having 2 extra axles and again on the Wrangler I-Pass, as if it were driving separately. Has anyone else encountered this?

 

[Bob Nodine]

I was told by the local EZPass authority that a license plate mounted transponder was the only option for a Class C, as they did not believe a windshield mounted unit would work, at least not reliably. I purchased the external transponder in 2019, shortly after I bought our Chateau.

View attachment 865023

Although the plate mounted transponder usually works just fine, there have been a handful of times when it has not been read successfully. This occurred most recently last September when we crossed the Governor Mario M. Cuomo (née Tappan Zee) Bridge north of New York City. Curiously, it had worked just fine when we crossed the same bridge five months earlier. When I received a toll-by-plate bill in the mail for this crossing I contacted the NY state EZPass authority, who quickly voided the bill and charged my EZPass account the correct (and significantly smaller) amount.

We have never had a problem with the EZPass or the Sunpass and just lay them on the dash. We like to have the option of keeping the unused pass wrapped in tin foil so we do not get double charged in states that recognize both passes.

 

[thisoldman]

I recently started towing my Jeep Wrangler with my Class C and didn't consider where to mount the I-Pass until I got the bill and was charged twice for the toad. Once on the motorhome I-Pass for having 2 extra axles and again on the Wrangler I-Pass, as if it were driving separately. Has anyone else encountered this?

Yes I have, the very first time I towed the toad on a toll road without giving my toad's transponder a second thought. Assuming that the Wrangler's transponder is removable and not the sticker variety, remove it from the windshield and put it in an RF shielded bag or, if you don't have one, just wrap it in a piece of aluminum foil. (Putting it in your coach's microwave will also work.) This will prevent the Wrangler's transponder from being read and avoid it being charged for as a separate vehicle. Just don't forget to put the transponder back in the Wrangler if/when you drive it separately in areas where there are I-Pass/E-ZPass/SunPass toll roads.

 

[ghnl]

I recently started towing my Jeep Wrangler with my Class C and didn't consider where to mount the I-Pass until I got the bill and was charged twice for the toad. Once on the motorhome I-Pass for having 2 extra axles and again on the Wrangler I-Pass, as if it were driving separately. Has anyone else encountered this?

As mentioned, put the towed vehicle's transponder in the foil wrapper they are shipped in. (Supposedly a foil lined snack bag also works...)

I once had the opposite occur. This was before the EZ Pass days. I was driving our truck camper and my son was following in his car. When I pulled up to the toll booth the toll taker asked for more money than I expected. When I questioned her she said the extra was for the car I was towing!

 

[Etony14]

I placed my EZpass bottom center of windshield about 6" up.
I like the idea of the sticker...need to check on that!!


Eric
2016 Chateau 31L

 

[SGilbert]

I placed my EZpass bottom center of windshield about 6" up.
I like the idea of the sticker...need to check on that!!


Eric
2016 Chateau 31L

The sticker is a game changer! Mine works better than my transponder ever did.
One major, however, is that it is not interchangeable between vehicles.
I hope your provider has it available.

 

[469]

The sticker is a game changer! Mine works better than my transponder ever did.
One major, however, is that it is not interchangeable between vehicles.
I hope your provider has it available.

I like to use these clear envelopes to position the EZ-Pass sticker on my windshield so that it is easily removable and can be used in another vehicle.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01466E0GS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1