Well, I have started another week or so of home time.
Going to have the fixed position fifth wheel mounts changed to an adjustable position fifth wheel.
This is something I have wanted since the day I bought the truck. I am tired of rolling into CA with a quarter tank of fuel because I am 250 lbs over 12k on steers with full tanks.
I should also be able to provide real financials to compare my 2018 company earnings to my 2019 o/o earnings.
Taking the plunge. My journey as an O/O.
Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Farmerbob1, Jan 7, 2019.
Page 151 of 256
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You can find the info in the Atlas.
When I had the Cummins, I was always a little over 12k on the steers going into Cali, but our axles are rated at 14k, and it was always a direct route to a location right off I-10. With the Paccar, I’m rarely over 12k.Farmerbob1, Rideandrepair and Wasted Thyme Thank this. -
What does the label on your door say your steer is rated for?
I roll into cali weighing 12.8 all the time.
Not to be rude but your wasting money for a dumb reason. Your 5th wheel is in the perfect position. No reason to be messing with it.Opendeckin, Farmerbob1 and Rideandrepair Thank this. -
I have it somewhere in the center. I forgot on which notch. I changed it once on a LTL load that was close to 80K lbs and had to offset the weight more towards the steering axle...it was close to 12 500 after sliding, that's how I drove it. I did not have to adjust it ever since, but often I exceed 12 000 and go through scales without problems. Where does it say that steering axle cannot exceed 12 000 anyway? Maybe that's because in many states the drives and trailer can't go over 34 000 so by math the steering needs to be at 12 000? But that's just when the trailer and drives are loaded at the maximum.
I think, my factory's specs say 12 600 max on the steer. If I am close to it, I check what I see in the Atlas too. I would not spend money on it either, simply because you almost never use it. Unless it is time to replace the whole 5th wheel.Last edited: Jun 16, 2020
Farmerbob1, snowwy and Rideandrepair Thank this. -
I was always told, put it on the steer, if needed. Should be good up to the tire ratings. I was surprised recently when I checked my front axle rating. I think it was only 12k. I wouldn’t spend the money on the fifth wheel either. If you can shift it to the drives, should have a little leeway, if you have an APU. Otherwise, 250lbs. Equals about 31 gallons, or 240 miles, at 8 mpg. Plan accordingly.
Farmerbob1 and snowwy Thank this. -
EDIT my steer tires are rated for 6175 each, so 12350 is as high as I can go, regardless. I have been a bit over that a few times.Rideandrepair and 062 Thank this. -
In the end, I just want to be sure I don't give some overzealous scalehouse operator having a bad day any reason to cause me grief.Rideandrepair and TallJoe Thank this. -
I ran to CA at least once, sometimes twice, a week for two years with my FLD. I had 16 ply steers and was always 12,400 when loaded and never once got hassled. Even when they finally decided they should write me a KPRA ticket for the 52ft spread axle I was pulling they didn’t say or do anything about the weight on my steer. Same with OR and WA, there are enough guys running up there pushing 13k on the steer that they usually aren’t concerned. The T800 I drove I had to be 13k on the steer to bridge out at 101,500 in OR because of their lighter 7 axle bridge.
If you carry 4-500 extra on your steer it just makes everything else easier when you’re loading right at 80k. I’ve also had better luck getting miles out of 16 ply steers on a setback axle truck anyway.Farmerbob1, snowwy, Opendeckin and 1 other person Thank this. -
Oregon is the only state that might hassle you over 12,400
Cali won't even blink.
My last job went there twice a week.Farmerbob1 Thanks this. -
You spend way more time and money trying to avoid tickets than the tickets cost.
All the days you've lost over being less than 500lbs overweight is mind boggling to me. I've rolled through scales 2k overweight without them saying anything.
My worst overweight ticket at 8k over gross in Mississippi cost less than half what this fifth wheel is going to cost you not including labor,downtime and hotel costs.Last edited: Jun 16, 2020
Rideandrepair, F4T6UY, Eldiablo and 1 other person Thank this.
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