Weight of Truck - Truckers' Trucking Forum | Message Board

speed_man13 · **^ Top** #1 02.13.2007

I am planning to start trucking in the fall of 07 and I am looking for truck as of right now. I plan on hauling dry van freight and I was wondering what would be the best truck, I am hoping Kenworth, and what the load recommendations for the front and rear axles of the truck. I should only be hauling dry, like I said, and was hoping someone could recommend the axel loads that would most likely fit my type of hauling. Any help would be might dandy to my search. Thanks in advance!

LAD_Mavric · **^ Top** #2 02.13.2007

I'm not entirely sure as I'm new to the profession myself. But I have been told, and I think that most on this forum would agree with me. In saying that, buying your own truck right away with no experience is probably setting yourself up for disaster.
Not trying to say your wrong or anything but buying a truck is a huge undertaking when you look at all the expenses involved ect....

Being new mayself tho I'd be interested to hear what some more experienced members of the forum have to say on this topic.

the pope · **^ Top** #3 02.13.2007

i belive its 34k on the rear tandem, 34k on the front tandem (tractor), and 12k on the front axle.

you can slide the rear tandems and the fifth wheel to distribute weight. And this brings up another question I have for the pro's.

I understand if you are in the city, you can slide tandems to have a sharper turns. And I also know that for highway dot stations, you need to have a maximum load on each tandem (as posted). If you are in the city, can you slide tandems for a sharper turn even if it means undistributing the weight?

25(2)+2 · **^ Top** #4 02.13.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by the pope

i belive its 34k on the rear tandem, 34k on the front tandem (tractor), and 12k on the front axle.

you can slide the rear tandems and the fifth wheel to distribute weight. And this brings up another question I have for the pro's.

I understand if you are in the city, you can slide tandems to have a sharper turns. And I also know that for highway dot stations, you need to have a maximum load on each tandem (as posted). If you are in the city, can you slide tandems for a sharper turn even if it means undistributing the weight?

You slide your trailer tandems ahead to shorten the wheelbase and decrease off-tracking in sharp turns, it may keep you from bumping curbs or obstructions while making turns, you aren't legal for axle weights, though, you are running heavy on the trailer and light on the drives and front axle. Handling is affected if the mismatch is too great.

Bridge laws haven't been mentioned, there are maximum distances you can move the tandems back and still be legal, it varies by state, this distance is measured from the kingpin to the center of the back axle or axle group, also depending on the state rules.
California is 40.5 feet from the kingpin to the center of the rear axle of a tandem.

AJ

MedicineMan · **^ Top** #5 02.13.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by speed_man13

I am planning to start trucking in the fall of 07 and I am looking for truck as of right now. I plan on hauling dry van freight and I was wondering what would be the best truck, I am hoping Kenworth, and what the load recommendations for the front and rear axles of the truck. I should only be hauling dry, like I said, and was hoping someone could recommend the axel loads that would most likely fit my type of hauling. Any help would be might dandy to my search. Thanks in advance!

what are you asking? Are you asking what axles you want in the truck you want to buy? If so then usually they have 12k front and 40k rears. the previos mentiond weights are what you are allowed to run legally. some trucks may have 46k rear but those trucks are really setup for ehavy hauling.
buy whatever truck you want. some trucks are heavyer than others which means it's less freight you can haul and if you get too heavy you may find it hard to get loads. Volvo's are heavy in perticular. A big volvo woht the big sleeper can run 21k pounds compared to 16 or 17k on a freightliner with mid size bunk.
you can get a tall sleeper for a van trailer. flat tops usually for flatbed trailers, this all affects your fuel milage. Speaking of which, an aerodynamic truck with all the fearings can cost you $10k or more per year than a classic style truck

The New Yorker · **^ Top** #6 02.13.2007

Sliding the tandem's forward can make turns easier just don't for get about the tail-swing, you end up taking someone door mirrors with ya...And a newbie buying a truck right off the bat? Talk about hit the ground running. Did you think this through? Do you have a company already that will keep the new guy driving? You have big kahuna's to to do that.

Rook · **^ Top** #7 02.13.2007

My KW t-600 (company truck) is equipped with x-one super singles which increases the max load weight I can carry. This truck can carry about 47,500lbs in the 53' dry van. The trucks more suited to O/O's, such as the T-2000 or the 379 are a bit heavier.

shortcut · **^ Top** #8 02.13.2007

The New Yorker is right. You have to have big cajones or no brains to start out in this industry by buying a truck.Do you know anything about frieght rates, cost per mile, or dot authority?

MACK E-6 · **^ Top** #9 02.13.2007

I think he's referring to specifications, rather than legal weight allowances. Most new twinscrews usually come with 12k rated steering axles, and 40k rated drives.

The New Yorker · **^ Top** #10 02.13.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MACK E-6

I think he's referring to specifications, rather than legal weight allowances. Most new twinscrews usually come with 12k rated steering axles, and 40k rated drives.

Well that was also my thought. You probably shouldn't be buying a big truck if you don't know the weight limits on the axles! As per law.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Trucker Forum	Replies	Last Post
Empty Weight of Truck and Trailer?	bkline	Questions To Truckers From The General Public	24	09.27.2008 04.46 PM
Cypress Truck Lines: Bad for Newbies, Great Weight Loss Plan	Robin	Report A BAD Trucking Company Here	33	08.03.2008 09.36 PM
Rhode Island lowers truck weight limit on two bridges	Cybergal	Truckers News	0	07.12.2008 09.04 AM
Truck & Flatbed Empty Weight	skeeter	Ask An Owner Operator	12	09.20.2007 07.46 PM
truck weight	ghostrider115	Ask An Owner Operator	5	05.12.2007 05.41 PM

Truckers' Trucking Forum/Message Board - The Premiere Truck Driver Forum
Sponsored Links

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)