Gross weight, Axle weight & Scales... what would you do?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Grumppy, Mar 26, 2015.

  1. Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I wont go into details about my day today, but in general, me, my company & the shipper all went round & round about them loading me 300 lb over gross today. We finally got this fixed so all is ok but its not the issue, really.

    When I initially seen the scales & I was at 80,300, I considered just rolling because I only had about 120 miles to run, all in state & no scales. However, the area is big for logging & DOT works the area pretty close because of all the log trucks. When log trucks aren't present, they'll take any truck coming along for roadside portable scales & inspections. If it had been 100 or 200 over, I would've normally been confident under these circumstances on a different route where DOT is not usually working so much. However, 300 over was kinda borderline with me.
    Anyway, because of that & just to fix it, I decided not to take the load & have them unload 2 bales (of plastic scrap) & all was well after us going round & round to get those 2 bales removed.

    My question is...
    Suppose I would have decided to take the 300 over gross. In this situation, (should I have encountered scales &/or DOT) would it be better for me to try & split the over weight between two axles & have ....for example... 150 lb over on the drives & trailer or.... put all the over weight on one set of axles, either the trailer or the drives?

    In other words, if you're more likely to get away with being a little over gross, is it better to be 300 over on one set of axles.... OR 150 lb (for example) over on two sets of axles?
    Is the overweight fine higher for 300 over on one set of axles or 150 over on two sets of axles?

    What would you do?

    Thanks for any relevant input :)
     
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  3. cnsper

    cnsper Road Train Member

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    Split the weight and they would probably let you slide with portable scales. Here I think we get 10% or at least that is what he took off of the ticket I got... LOL
     
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  4. rank

    rank Road Train Member

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    Well IMO, I think you would be better to 150 over on two axles maybe they would let it slide. Down side of that theory is they could hit you with two fines instead of one.

    I have a chart that I got from the NY DOT that shows how much they fine you for every increment of weight. Maybe you could get one of them from your local DOT and then you would know for sure.
     
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  5. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    I doubt you could move "150 lbs". 34,000 & 34,300 or 34150 & 34150. Either way, if they are going to ding you, they will. The fact is the 300 over GROSS is the thing that would probably get you into trouble if they wanted to be a picky about it, but I'd have moved with it. But that's just me.

    300 lbs, assuming the scale is as correct as any other you may be ran across, is about as close as you're going to get with typical loads and hole configurations. But was this additional weight on the steer or elsewhere? My threshold is 500 lbs on axle and/or on gross before I worry too much about it. I've left Amarillo bound for New England more then a few times 500 over gross and full of fuel.
     
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  6. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    300lbs enough said.....
     
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  7. Dr_Fandango44

    Dr_Fandango44 Road Train Member

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    I'm a stickler to stick to the rules on weight. My view is that you can't let shippers get away with it at any time.
    You let shippers slide with it once, they will do it over and over again.
    300lbs could turn into 500, then 700.......the beat goes on.
    I've had the shipper make the excuse that the customer requires that nett weight..{I haul tanker/chemicals}
    My reply is that the customer has NO say in the matter. I decide not YOU or the customer.
    It's MY truck, it's MY load. Therefore it's my responsibility, and I have to protect my CDL.
    This load won't budge till you fix it.
    It's up to you, so get on with it. I'm on the clock so have at it.....NOW!!
    Always works.
     
  8. Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

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    Got a APU? Your good to go.
     
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  9. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    300 lbs?!? The short lil' fat girl will be hitching a ride home is all.
     
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  10. w.h.o

    w.h.o Road Train Member

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    Tell d.o.t you'll run around the trailer to burn off 300. He shall be please
     
  11. albert l

    albert l Road Train Member

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    Some states dont allow the exemption
     
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