California Trailer Restrictions

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by Revers29, Jan 9, 2009.

  1. Revers29

    Revers29 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 9, 2009
    Holland, MI
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    Hello All,

    In a few days I am going to be leaving for California. Had a few questions I need answers to. I've sifted through this site & many others, however I really couldn't find a specific answer. The reason for me posting this.

    The questions that I have are the following. I need to know when you measure the distance between the king-pin and trailer tandems, is it king-pin to front axle, middle of axles or rear axle?? From the websites I've look at, I've seen all 3. Even on the California website, I read in 2 different places, where it said Front Axle & Middle of axles.

    The other night, while chatting away on the CB (Mainly killing time), I had a driver say that on a 53' Trailer (Which I'll be pulling) the front set of pins on the tandem, needs to be in the 5th hole. Would this be correct?? I do know that the distance needs to be 40'.

    While this isn't my first time going to CA and it won't be my last time. I'm usually pulling my Itty-Bitty 30' Trailer and never had to deal with this.

    Thanks all for your comments.

    Robert.
     
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  3. msmspilot

    msmspilot Light Load Member

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    Aug 25, 2008
    North Mississippi
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    Front set of pins in the 5th hole depends on the brand and model trailer you're pulling. Some of our trailers it's the 4th hole and some it's the 14th. Depends on the design.

    According to our company policy manual, it's 40' from the kingpin to the center of the rear axle.
     
  4. psanderson

    psanderson Road Train Member

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    Oct 13, 2008
    Moline, Illinois
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    Depends on the state. Some states say kingpin to the center of the front axle, some say to the center between the axle, & some sat kingpin to the center of the rear axle. Ask your dispatcher. CA is 40' kingpin to the center of the rear axle. Weight is 34,000# drive & trailer. Steer is 12,000#.
     
  5. psanderson

    psanderson Road Train Member

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    Oct 13, 2008
    Moline, Illinois
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    Hole number depends on the trailer manufacturer. Different trailers have different holes for certain distances but if yout company says it's the "X" hole it is probably correct.
     
  6. msmspilot

    msmspilot Light Load Member

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    Aug 25, 2008
    North Mississippi
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    Can you show a reg on the steers being 12K? our instructors told us that that used to be true, but now it's 34 on the tandems and 46 on the tractor. No restriction on the steers. I've personally been in a truck that was 12.9K on the steers and went across a scale and they didn't bat an eye.
     
  7. Native Dancer

    Native Dancer Heavy Load Member

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    Dec 28, 2007
    Portland, Or.
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    Some states will allow 18,000 # BUT your tires must be rated for it. That 46,000 on tractor is a pile of moose muffins.
     
  8. msmspilot

    msmspilot Light Load Member

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    Aug 25, 2008
    North Mississippi
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    It's the one thing I didn't get a reg quoted on that I should have. Next time I see Missoula I'll ask the training guys to show me a reg.
     
  9. Native Dancer

    Native Dancer Heavy Load Member

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    Portland, Or.
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    You could be 11,000# on your steers, 35,000# on your drives = 46,000# = overweight fine. I have a really hard time getting 12,000# on my steers.
     
  10. Rat

    Rat Road Train Member

    Yeap because you are 1000 over axle on the drives. You need to try and move the trailer forward to get more weight on the steers. Some trucks it is 250 lbs per notch and some it is 500 lbs per notch on the 5th wheel.

    I ran into this problem at first when I got into the Pete. I had to move the trailer forward about 6 notches to get weight on the steers. I load the truck the same as before but now I have 12,000 +/- 200 on the steers and 34,000 +/- 200 on the drives.

    Alot of scales won't bother you too much for up to 1000 lbs over axle or over gross. It all depends on the $$$$. The higher the ticket would cost then the higher the risk of getting a fine would be.
     
  11. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Baltimore, MD
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    I thought Federal law for 53's was 41' from kingpin to axles. Did it change?

    Steering axle limits vary. Some states allow 20k. Others go by tire rating or tire size.
     
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