Bridge laws

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by Teamdotson, Jul 20, 2008.

  1. Joe the Milkman

    Joe the Milkman Bobtail Member

    3
    1
    Sep 1, 2011
    Memphis, TN
    0
    I'm new to this site, so imagine my "not knowing what to do." I've read some pretty complicated instruction manuals in my life, but this one seems to never end. I'm a 5yr. rookie in TN, and I want to know what the firm rules are on "kingpin" or "bridge span" rules are. We have 48's and 53's both, and some have the wide-gap holes in the rail and some have narrow gaps. Like, for one trailer you'd want the 7th hole, but for another brand you'd need the 14th to be the same. Make sense? I've scoured all over to find the legal limit, but I'm losing patience. I guess that's a bad thing for a driver to do, huh..since I get to sit and ponder so much. Any help?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

  3. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

    10,555
    5,743
    Oct 22, 2010
    32179
    0
    Would carrying a tape measure with you help ?
     
    JRTBud Thanks this.
  4. Joe the Milkman

    Joe the Milkman Bobtail Member

    3
    1
    Sep 1, 2011
    Memphis, TN
    0
    Thanks..I guess. The 'complicated' part I was referring to was trying to navigate around on this site. I guess I need to fiddle with it a little longer. Anyway, the tape measure is a very clever idea, but I it doesn't help If I don't know what the legal limit is. Maybe my question was unclear. Setting the pin is a snap, it's just knowing WHERE to set it. States have different lengths, and I'd like to just be able to print out a list of each state's laws. Some people say measure to the center of the tandems. Others say it's to the center of the rear-most axle.
     
  5. Yatista

    Yatista Medium Load Member

    479
    206
    Jan 25, 2009
    Upstate New York
    0
    Look in your Rand McNally, it lists state by state, what the length is from the king pin to a location on your tandems. Some states have no length rule, others like California 40' from king pin to center of rear axle (measure with your tape measure), the most restrictive state. Those without a length rule require you to use the bridge formula. It is also explained, poorly, in your map book. Generally as long as you don't exceed 12k S, 34k D, and 34k T and don't exceed 80k GVW you will be ok in the bridge law states.
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2011
  6. crzyjarmans

    crzyjarmans Road Train Member

    3,293
    2,410
    Jun 9, 2010
    Home
    0
    double check your thoughts, cali is 40' not 41', the scale on 58 will give you a ticket at one hole over, i know this for fact, as I got one not to long ago
     
  7. Illbcnu

    Illbcnu Bobtail Member

    5
    2
    Jun 12, 2013
    0
    Ifn urn hol' spacin is tha samn as everyone else u wood be korect but it sounds like ur n ho's are pretty big an stretched out. Mine ho's ar skinny but I got lots of em so I use the 8th ho fur ifn I go ta Kalifwhornia. Just sayin'
     
  8. gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

    8,781
    14,753
    Mar 5, 2012
    Ontario Canada
    0
    Thank you for waiting 3 years to post that gem. I look forward to what 2019 will bring!
     
    snowwy Thanks this.
  9. Illbcnu

    Illbcnu Bobtail Member

    5
    2
    Jun 12, 2013
    0
    Stay tuned and follow closely grasshopper for I find it much more profitable to keep my chariot in the wind over finding time to average over 2.25 posts each and every day for 4 1/2 years.
    I have noted a reminder on my 2019 calendar so as to not disappoint my followers.
     
    91B20H8 Thanks this.
  10. gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

    8,781
    14,753
    Mar 5, 2012
    Ontario Canada
    0
    Lol I love it!
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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