What exactly is the steer axle weight limit?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by 1nonly, Apr 26, 2010.

  1. aiwiron

    aiwiron Road Train Member

    5,927
    5,226
    Aug 24, 2011
    Sunny Tampa Florida
    0
    > sarcasm < You are asking people to have a paper map?> sarcasm <
     
    Hammer166 Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. BossOutlaw88

    BossOutlaw88 Road Train Member

    1,451
    352
    Oct 30, 2011
    Cali
    0
    12300. DOT gives you a 300 pound grace weight.

    {A man is only as good as his word.}
     
  4. Busasamurai

    Busasamurai Light Load Member

    187
    148
    Oct 12, 2010
    Augusta ga
    0
    (f) Except as provided herein, States may not enforce on the Interstate System vehicle weight limits of less than 20,000 pounds on a single axle, 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle, or the weights derived from the Bridge Formula, up to a maximum of 80,000 pounds, including all enforcement tolerances. States may not limit tire loads to less than 500 pounds per inch of tire or tread width, except that such limits may not be applied to tires on the steering axle. States may not limit steering axle weights to less than 20,000 pounds or the axle rating established by the manufacturer, whichever is lower.
     
    Hammer166 Thanks this.
  5. Outlaw 13

    Outlaw 13 Light Load Member

    189
    82
    Jun 5, 2010
    any highway , USA
    0
    Be safe or be sorry , pops into my head ! Most good atlas's have a section in them for weights & axle weights & even bridge laws . I always went with the :
    steer - 12,000 drives - 34,000 & trailer - 34,000 = 80,000 , just because you travel many states , Interstates & US highways . This is what I do , works best for me !!
     
  6. wiscarly

    wiscarly Bobtail Member

    1
    0
    Dec 24, 2013
    0
    This is what brought me to the forum and searching and glad that I found this thread.

    I have just moved to a new company that I am driving reefer with and have a 2012 Cascadia and though the loads are well below the 80,000 max, I have a hell of a time to get the steers below 12,000 with a full load of fuel. The truck has an APU on it and we are running teams so there is added weight to the truck from that.

    Glad I found this and have learned much on the new tractors. As we continue to add more and more to the trucks for EPA emissions, larger fuel tanks, DEF tanks, teams, and we put more stuff in the cabs and sleepers to live, the weight goes up and up.

    Thanks much for your help.
     
  7. left lane landlord

    left lane landlord Bobtail Member

    5
    3
    Dec 25, 2013
    0
    Whatever your steer tires are rated for. Most of them are 14, 000
     
  8. PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

    14,765
    22,560
    Jul 15, 2006
    El Chuco, Tejas
    0
    My fifth wheel is set to where the kingpin is almost dead center between the drive axles. I'm always knocking on 12,000 lbs when I scale out. My tractor is a Volvo 780
     
  9. Andy T

    Andy T Bobtail Member

    5
    1
    Aug 10, 2015
    0
    If you have a tire rated for 13,000 but an exile for 12,000 is that legal?
     
  10. not4hire

    not4hire Road Train Member

    7,142
    26,946
    May 16, 2012
    Calgary
    0
    In that case, you would be limited to 12,000.

    The limit is ALWAYS the lesser of tire capacity, axle capacity, or weight allowed per legislation (consult RM Motor Carriers' Atlas for federal vs. state/provincial limits).
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2015
    Andy T Thanks this.
  11. ramblingman

    ramblingman Road Train Member

    1,152
    1,114
    Jan 12, 2014
    0
    Your steer weight limit is 20,000 or whatever the weight rating of the steer axle and tires can support. My steer axle is 12 700 bob tail empty
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.