Weight question - Truckers' Trucking Forum | Message Board

sano · **^ Top** #1 12.28.2007

I understand that, at most, you can have about 34,000lbs on your drives. What if you added a 3rd axle to your trailer, adjusted your shipment rearward a tad, and hauled more weight? Is this even legal, or what?

Likewise, why can Europeans haul more weight? I think they haul something like 90,000 lbs total (including truck) ?

Edit: That said, how much weight would you have to haul to offset the reduced fuel mileage and tire replacement costs (and etc) ?

Any information is appreciated.

truckin916 · **^ Top** #2 12.28.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by sano

I understand that, at most, you can have about 34,000lbs on your drives. What if you added a 3rd axle to your trailer, adjusted your shipment rearward a tad, and hauled more weight? Is this even legal, or what?

Likewise, why can Europeans haul more weight? I think they haul something like 90,000 lbs total (including truck) ?

Edit: That said, how much weight would you have to haul to offset the reduced fuel mileage and tire replacement costs (and etc) ?

Any information is appreciated.

I believe by having a third axel you can carry more weight on that part of the truck but you still can't go over 80,000 overall without a permit.

Designors · **^ Top** #3 12.29.2007

95% + of the states are a maximum of 80,000 pounds .... anything over that you have to pay for a special permit .... there are trucks out there pulling 100,000 + but they are paying alot extra for that

YukonTrucker · **^ Top** #4 12.29.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by sano

I understand that, at most, you can have about 34,000lbs on your drives. What if you added a 3rd axle to your trailer, adjusted your shipment rearward a tad, and hauled more weight? Is this even legal, or what?

Likewise, why can Europeans haul more weight? I think they haul something like 90,000 lbs total (including truck) ?

Edit: That said, how much weight would you have to haul to offset the reduced fuel mileage and tire replacement costs (and etc) ?

Any information is appreciated.

Here in The Yukon we are allowed 39380 lbs on Tandems and can permit up to 47300 lbs. On Tridems legal is 52800 lbs and can permit up to 60720 lbs.

We can haul 140,000 lbs legal without any permits as long as axle weights are legal and the most I have ever paid for overweight permit is about $50 to go 600 miles.

Burky · **^ Top** #5 12.29.2007

Pikers!!! Here in Mich, on the corre axle combination, you can pull 164,000 pounds, and there are no permits involved. You are licensed at the beginning of the year for the weight you have chosen, and can haul anything up to that.

As to the original question, unless you are planning to have a permit for each load that you do, it simply isn't worth having the extra axle. Currently, US interstate commerce is based on the 5 axle, 80,000 pound rule, and that is unlikely to change at any time soon,

Europe's rules are based on their conditions, and while they do allow heavier standard weights, there is a tendency there for shorter trailers than we use, so the loads have to be bulkier than out loads to meet their full weight limit. Different places, different rules.

NightWind · **^ Top** #6 12.29.2007

Some states like where Burky lives and I live when you buy your tag you can pay for the extra weight, here in AL it's only good to 92,300 lbs and you are restricted to the secondary, US, and state roads and cannot get on the interstate. However in my state you can buy what is called a Blanket permit and you can haul anywhere in the state with that as long as you meet the regulations for the permit. This is for loads that cannot be broken down like heavy equipment.
Like Burky says different places different regulations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Designors

95% + of the states are a maximum of 80,000 pounds .... anything over that you have to pay for a special permit .... there are trucks out there pulling 100,000 + but they are paying alot extra for that

heyns57 · **^ Top** #7 12.29.2007

Here is a link to a comprehensive report on the size and weight issue. The report does not discuss the opposition to size and weight issues, but rest assured, the opposition is formidable. I noticed two points in the report: 1. Mexico and Canada allow more weight than the U.S. and we trade with them. 2. The Federal Government does not have a way to recover the increased infrastructure costs if size and weight are increased. (I am sure they will deal with it. LOL.)

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sano · **^ Top** #8 12.30.2007

Thanks for all your replies and information, I appreciate it

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