What exactly is the steer axle weight limit?

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

  1. 1nonly

    1nonly tease-y-ness

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    I was told in School that steers could not exceed 12,000. Then I was told by another driver that out west they could go up to 13,000. This came up on another thread, and quite frankly, I'm still confused. I've tried googling, but all I'm coming up with is 20,000 on a single axle. Can anyone shed some light on this? What are the official rules?
     
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  3. HEAVY DUDE

    HEAVY DUDE Road Train Member

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    SOME RULES: 12k+34k34k=80k. Legally you can put 20k up front if you have the tires/axle rated for it. Out west you can put 13.2k up front w/tires/axles rated for it.(600 lbs per inch of tire width) If your not a Heavy Hauler don't worry about it just stick w/12k and that will keep you out of trouble.
     
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  4. JustSonny

    JustSonny Big Dummy

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    From: 23 USC 127 - US Code - Title 23: Highways - 23 USC 127 - Sec. 127 ...
    " (a) In General. - No funds shall be apportioned in any fiscal year under section 104(b)(1) of this title to any State which does not permit the use of The Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways within its boundaries by vehicles with a weight of twenty thousand pounds carried on any one axle, including enforcement tolerances, or with a tandem axle weight of thirty-four thousand pounds, including enforcement tolerances, or a gross weight of at least eighty thousand pounds for vehicle combinations of five axles or more. However, the maximum gross weight to be allowed by any State for vehicles using The Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways shall be twenty thousand pounds carried on one axle, including enforcement tolerances, and a tandem axle weight of thirty-four thousand pounds, including enforcement tolerances and with an overall maximum gross weight, including enforcement tolerances, on a group of two or more consecutive axles produced by application of the following formula: LN W=500....."

    Read more: http://vlex.com/vid/vehicle-weight-limitations-interstate-19205115#ixzz0mG4Tu1Y4

    Could this apply or does it just refer to the least weight a state can enforce?
     
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  5. 1nonly

    1nonly tease-y-ness

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    Oh, I'm sure it applies, I just don't know what it means. If they would write the rules in plain English, I could understand it better, but I don't guess that will ever happen.
     
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  6. otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    Generally you can have the steer axle up to 12,500 (it is the standard for the tire width on most tractors) and up to 34,000 on the tandem axles. But the addition of the three groups cannot exceed 80,000 (the common registered maximum gross).

    I have an International Pro Star, Cummins 435 ISX engine, with a 45,000 pound load, my weights will run as follows:
    1. Steer---12,300
    2. Drives---33,300
    3. Tandem-33,200
    4. Gross---78,800
     
  7. phroziac

    phroziac Road Train Member

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    First of all, im prettttty sure theres a few states that really do have a 12k limit on steer axles..

    but.......like said above, 34+34+12=80. So a properly loaded truck should not ever have to exceed 12k on the steers, and thats totally legal everywhere on the correct routes.

    But, this is trucking. Our trucks are often loaded by people who do not understand basic physics that most of us learned by playing on teeter totters in preschool..
     
  8. Rusty50484

    Rusty50484 Light Load Member

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    Actually, tire width isn't what you should go by.

    Every tire has a maximum capacity stamped right on the sidewall. My Yokohamas: 6175 lbs max per tire as single (steer axle) 5675 as a dual (drives or trailer). That would equate to 12,350 max steer wt.

    I add this because Iowa, especially the I380 scales between Waterloo and Cedar Rapids, are handing out tickets if you exceed the tire's listed weight rating. Our little (80 trucks) company has had 3 drivers cited in the last 3 weeks, and all they do is read the stamped maximum weight limit right off the tire to determine whether to give you the good news.
     
  9. longbedGTs

    longbedGTs Heavy Load Member

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    12,500 is what I always went by.
     
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  10. lovesthedrive

    lovesthedrive R.I.P.

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    12,000 isnt exactly correct. 12,000 is the final number to have, yes.

    But.

    The empty tractor with engine is already exerting weight on that said axle before you get anything loaded. The reality is probably closer to 6,000 actual load going onto that axle.

    Yet you can also buy rigs with better axles for extreme loading, but why bother as this would require extra plies on the steer tires amongst other things.
     
  11. gladiator

    gladiator Light Load Member

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    I was told in School that steers could not exceed 12,000. Then I was told by another
    If you were to look in your Motor Carriers Road Atlas under weight and size limits. Legal weights for each state are listed there..
    I for one try to keep it under 12000 lbs <when possible> in the summer. Just makes for easier steering. More towards 12500 in the winter. Once again for the steering.
    Nothing worse than driving on snow and feel your front axle "floating"
    I have yet to encounter a problem with scales using this method..Although I have been pulled in just so they could weigh me at a slower speed..but have always gotten the green light.
     
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