What exactly is the steer axle weight limit?

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

  1. Jimbo60

    Jimbo60 Medium Load Member

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    Nov 25, 2009
    High desert CA
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    Whatever your company's policy is. Usually based on the load rating of the steer tires....... 12k is a good rule of thumb though.



    .............. Jim.
     
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  3. Wildbill411

    Wildbill411 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 25, 2010
    Mountain Grove MO
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    You are exactly right about this. 12,000 is a good rule of thumb to try and go by, but it's not uncommon to have a weight of 12,300 on your steers and still be within the legal limits. From my previous experience driving cabovers, it happened a lot. However, I do advise not allowing the weight to exceed 12,500 too much as this causes excessive wear on the steer tires. Sometimes it can't be helped though.
     
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  4. long_n_low88

    long_n_low88 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 1, 2010
    Amarillo, TX
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    Im a heavy hauler and I have a 20,000 lb front axle but that doesnt change the fact that a states weight limit per axle is the weight limit. Normally if im permitted it just goes by the gross weight permitted for, but if im empty(i pull a 9 axle 3+3+3 configuration so im never really empty)and dont have my fifth wheel in the right spot they'll get me in a hurry. Got a ticket in iowa for 13,400 on my steer because my fifth wheel was up too far and puttin weight on the front. Had a trailer with a HUGE hydraulic neck on it and it was a pain in the rear to turn that thing.
     
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  5. pbrstreetgang

    pbrstreetgang Light Load Member

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    Sep 7, 2007
    California
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    Ok i'm totally confused again. I think my atlas says that Iowa allows 20,000 on the steers, both interstate and state highways... so if your axle/tires can handle it, what justification did they have for giving you a ticket??
     
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  6. Mark Kling

    Mark Kling Technology Contributor

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    Statesville, NC
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    He is O/O,O/W and permitted to run the heavier loads. Most GP loads will not exceed 80k since they are only permited to run 80k. Note - GVWR on side of cab.

    so if you run 80K = 12k + 17K + 17K + 17k + 17K

    Most commonly everyone will run between 11.5k to 12.3k and have no issues if they are permitted for 80k. Personally I set my steers to 11.5k and left the 5th wheel alone. Less bend wings that way. The more you play on each load with the 5th wheel getting the steers max'd out the more you will forget the turning radius of the trailer when backing up.

    So try to keep at 12k or a little less and you will be safe on the scales.

    Mark
     
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  7. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    Jul 22, 2008
    Owensboro , KY
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    If 12,000 is the actual number and you say 6,000 is the actual load you are saying the weight on the front axle is only 6,000 with an empty trailer ? :biggrin_2551:
     
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  8. GyrrwrLori

    GyrrwrLori Light Load Member

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    Sep 20, 2011
    Toledo, OH
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    My CDL class visited the local weigh station a couple of weeks ago. We were told by the LEO that they were strictly enforcing the weight rating of the steers. If you can't adjust your weight, you will be put out of service until you replace your steers with a high rating.
     
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  9. richsotr

    richsotr Bobtail Member

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    Feb 5, 2012
    Cocoa Beach, FL
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    Im thinkin he means u started with 6k on steers empty and once under load will increase weight on steers by another 6k for a total of 12K.
     
  10. oneshot

    oneshot Medium Load Member

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    Most trks will have 11,000 on steers just bobtail.Because of engine weight and fuel. I have 11500 on my steers in a W9 bobtail with half tank of fuel.When loaded,with 5th wheel in correct position,I add very little to my steer axle.
     
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  11. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    Tennessee
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    You got a few things to figure...

    What are my tires rated for?
    What are my axles rated for?
    What state requirements do I have to meet?

    Whatever is lowest wins.

    Since most tires are rated at 6250 lbs, that's 12,500. My Pete 387 had 7150 lb tires on it so that's 14,300 lbs. I was pulled over once and smiled at the leo after he seen my tires.

    First, don't confuse federal interstates and US highways with state highway limits. The interstate and US highways is 20,000 lbs or your lowest of the tire/axle rating.

    State highways....

    ND 11,000 lbs

    AK, AR, IN, LA, MN, OR, SD, VT are all 12,000 lbs on state roads

    OH, VA, WI is 13,000 lbs

    and everyone else is greater.

    A rule of thumb is 12,000 lbs will get you anywhere except the backroads of ND. 12,500 will get you down the interstate and past the scalehouses.

    Look in the front of your RandMcNally truckers map and it has all the weight limits.
     
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