BRIDGE LAWS , Tandem holes HELP!!!

**Wiseguywireless** · 07.28.2012

In Michigan you can get cited for having the tandems to far forward also. Just remember Tandems moving forward is lighter on Drives and heavier on the Tandems. and just the opposite when moving them to the back. My trailers are marked for the 41 foot mark, and I know that in Calif. they can't be no further back than 1 foot in front of that mark. New York would be 1 foot further back than where Calif allows for them to be, just like Michigan.

**KMac** · 07.28.2012

Originally Posted by OutboundGateChic

kmac that doesn't make a bit of since. do they have a scale on their property???

They require tandems to the rear to support the forklifts on the ramps, and no, most shippers do not have scales on their property

**OutboundGateChic** · 07.28.2012

The driver I was speaking of could have adjusted his 5th wheel. And I hear all the time it's stuck because it had never been moved. I only mention what the drivers state. The domestic containers are scaled prior to being drayed from our DC to the RR and must meet california bridge law as that is where they are going. We have a few carriers that use 48' trailers and 53' rail boxes. In my steamship line days i had boxes transloaded on to step decks, low boys and aslo had over weight 40's in CA flipped on to super chassis if we could find them available. Which was only to move them to a facility that could perform a partial transload. Because shippers overseas apparently could care less how heavy they load ocean boxes.

I did not know that 48' or under can have tandems anywhere.

**OutboundGateChic** · 07.28.2012

Thanks wiseguy, the driver earlier this morning had it in the 19th hole...

**lonelyswmtrucker** · 07.28.2012

we go to oakland & newark with reefer containers on spread axle chasis's; thank goodness that's one thing we dont have to worry about when we do those

**snowwy** · 07.28.2012

so, the 53 flats and steps would actually be legal. as those are spreads and i THINK most are non moveable.

i think i've heard of one trailer that could actually slide the back axle. and one trailer that could actually slide both axles. but the rest i've seen are pretty much stationary.

**Numb** · 07.28.2012

Ms Gate lady. It is not your job to teach a driver his job. thnx for being nice, BUT, the placement of axles and weighing of trailers is the drivers job. Even if there were no scales at your place, we , as drivers are required to get it correct at the closest public scale possible.
placing the wheels in the legal position doesn't magically make the weight even. your warehouse people should know how to load it so it can weight out legal.

I repeat it is not your job !! save yourself the headaches and just make copies of atlas page and hand it out, if you must do something.

if they don't understand the job ,they need to talk to their company, not you.

thnx again for trying to help the clueless "steering wheel holders" out there. they to learn their job.

**Vito** · 07.28.2012

Originally Posted by OutboundGateChic

The normal response is I don't know what the bridge law is, literally makes me wanna scream it's not my job to know your job. However I'm at the point that it is my job to know so I can be able to better assist these drivers that are clueless.

Good attitude. But this will also benefit you as well. You'll be better at your job not just by assisting, but by knowing all the facets of your job, and then some. I applaud you for taking the initiative.

Originally Posted by Numb

Ms Gate lady. It is not your job to teach a driver his job. thnx for being nice, BUT, the placement of axles and weighing of trailers is the drivers job. Even if there were no scales at your place, we , as drivers are required to get it correct at the closest public scale possible.

I agree 100%. But when push comes to shove and there's a problem that needs immediate resolution, I don't see how her assisting would have any downside.

**Powder Joints** · 07.28.2012

You really should refrain from coaching the drivers as your maybe opening yourself up to liability. It is every drivers job to know how to adjust the tandems. As far as the fith wheel being slid, some are fixed and some are adjustable, but if it is set correctly it would be a very rare occasion to need to adjust it. That is unless your grossed out and loaded really heavy in the front. I have on very rare occasions needed to adjust the fifth wheel, but very rare. Usally after someone who did not know what they were doing moved it.

My tractor now and for the last 10 years have had fixed placement on the fifth wheel and it has never been an issue. I change between powder, liquid tank, vans and flats. I simply put the load where I need the weight to be to start with.

**Vito** · 07.28.2012

Originally Posted by Powder Joints

You really should refrain from coaching the drivers as your maybe opening yourself up to liability.

Doubtful. The buck stops with the driver. Right? But she should check with her supervisor FIRST to clear it with him/her to make sure that her assisting is OK.