When I fill my tanks,my steers are over....

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Romans6:23, Nov 26, 2009.

  1. Romans6:23

    Romans6:23 Light Load Member

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    Nov 26, 2009
    Port Sanilac,Mi
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    When I fill my tanks,my steers come in at 12,800. Do you think that I am cool,or will DOT hit me with a overweight tix? Should I move my fifth wheel?
     
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  3. thePUNISHER

    thePUNISHER Medium Load Member

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    Sep 20, 2009
    Merced, CA
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    You should read this thread, someone else recently had the same issue
     
  4. Romans6:23

    Romans6:23 Light Load Member

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    Nov 26, 2009
    Port Sanilac,Mi
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    thnks punisher I did read it,didn't really seem to address whether they would ticket me for being over by 800 lbs. I know last night I went over a scale last night and I was probably over by 300-400 on the steers, and they let me through. So I don't know if 800 over is pushing it too far. But thanks anyways punisher.
     
  5. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    Rosamond, SoCal
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    Yes they will hang you. Your steers are the worst place to be over. Never stress your steer tires ,most important tires on your rig. Slide your 5th wheel back maybe an inch or two. But get the weight off your steers. If you gave the whole axle out people here could be more helpful. Most 53' load light to the front so you tandems sliding take care of weight problems. Sounds like your 5th wheel is too far forward.
     
  6. Romans6:23

    Romans6:23 Light Load Member

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    Nov 26, 2009
    Port Sanilac,Mi
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    Thanks Powder,that is enough for me to do it tommorrow. So I want to pull my rig away from trailer right? May two or three spots? Thanks for the help
     
  7. ampm wayne

    ampm wayne Heavy Load Member

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    Jan 13, 2009
    bloomington,in
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    I agree. If you are having this problem a lot move your fifth wheel back one or two holes and life will be easier for you.
     
  8. kalh7

    kalh7 Light Load Member

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    Mar 28, 2007
    southern illinois
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    i still wonder why people worry about the 12,000 lbs on steers. some people need to do some reading in the front of an atlas it seems. pulled out of a scale after getting an overaxle ticket with about 13,500 on the steers and scalemaster was the one that told me to do it. as long as you dont go over what the tires are rated for dont worry about the weight.
     
  9. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    Sep 25, 2007
    Rosamond, SoCal
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    Mo do not drop the trailer. Set the trailer brake, dolly the down to pickup the weight off the fifth wheel. MAKE SURE TO SET TRAILER BRAKES. slide fifth wheel either 1 hole or 2 1/2 inches approx. depending on how it set up. Lock in the fifth wheel slider and raise your landing gear before releasing your trailer brakes. then reweigh this will tell you if you need 2 holes or not. The distance you need to slide depends on where it is now. IMHO the pivot should be almost at the neutral point between the drives. Then you just balance on your tandems. Happy Turkey, Good Luck.
     
  10. Rollover the Original

    Rollover the Original Road Train Member

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    Springfield,MO
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    As Power Joints said go 1 or 2 holes and reweigh. This will also let you know how much each hole is in case you need to slide it again in the future but usually when you get it figured out and your weight is close to 80,000 you might not have to slide it again!

    Another hint which I do every time I get a new truck is when I need fuel for the first time I will jump on the scale (usually before you load as doing this with an MT trailer is better) and weigh then go fuel up all the way then go reweigh. This will tell you how much weight goes on the tandems and steers so when you are getting close to top limits on weight you will know how much fuel you can actually put on.

    NOTE: Fuel actually weighs 7.3 pounds per gallon, warm. NOT 8! you'll figure that out when you do the weight thing any! Just divide gallons with weight! Or Google weight of diesel! But remember that they have reformulated diesel "ULSD" and it's getting lighter!
     
  11. soon2betrucking

    soon2betrucking Road Train Member

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    Sep 28, 2007
    Philadelphia, Pa
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    if you look at the door jam of your truck, or somewhere in the door frame it will tell you the allowable weight on the steers.
    also, I may be wrong, and please, others, if i am please correct me!!.
    its to my understanding that as long as your combined weight does not exceed 40,xxxlbs dot may not even bother you, however, you shouldnt exceed your axle weights.... to me its not worth any kind of ticket. maybe even get the truck looked at if sliding the 5thwheel does not resovle your issue..

    again, if i was wrong about the total weight not exceeding 40,xxx please correct me!
     
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