Scale/Weight/Axle Question

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Grumppy, Jul 20, 2014.

  1. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    For all the new guys who may read this, it's important to note that when you have a steer axle weight issue, moving the trailer tandems is going to have very little effect on steer weight (if any). I'm curious what tractor you have, but it sounds like the 5th wheel position is all the way forward and this is probably not where it should be [and be kept]. Ideally when you have 33,800-34,200 on your drives, your steer should be very near 12,000-12,300 if not 11,800-12,000 ideally. I don't like the ride when there is more then 12,000 on the steer. Once you find that sweet spot (5th wheel position) FORGET IT and LEAVE IT ALONE from then on.
     
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  3. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    i heard my stuff straight from the horses mouth in oregon. and gave 3 benjamins for the conversation. but it wasn't because i was heavy on the steers. i heavy for oregon bridge. which apparently is lower then national bridge.

    i like 12,400 on the steers. more weight for snow traction. it also gives you that extra leeway for the drives.

    rolled with 10,000 on steers once. felt like i was steering on ice.
     
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  4. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    normally i would agree with you. but since all 20 trucks were ordered at the same time, with the same specs. 2 years ago. and mine is the only one positioned forward. i think someone screwed up.
     
  5. ‘Olhand

    ‘Olhand Cantankerous Crusty

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    Here we go again--y'all PLEASE dont quote how much can be moved by sliding tandem x amount of holes etc...or fifth wheel for that matter--this has been discussed before---These absolute y'all print--may(or may not)apply to YOUR trk/trl--but has NO VALUE--in someone else's world---Depending on set up==tandem holes can vary from 150-600lbs per hols(or more)and 5th wheels can be anywhere from 50lbs to 500lbs...
    To the OP the ONLY way to truly know what(how much weight)can be moved on any particular set up is to weigh--slide rewiegh--there are generalities BUT NO ABSOLUTES--and on a loaded wagon(as has been mentioned)HOW it is loaded and weight distibution pay a very important role--as for steers--
    IMHO the first thing you MUST find out is weight dist...from fuel--so weigh it--add x amount of fuel--note the difference between drives and steers after fueling--so you KNOW how much(%)is going on YOUR steers on how much on your drivers....and most of us use 8lbs per gallon all tho honestly--not corrected for temp--it is close to 7.6./....
    KNOW YOUR equipment--and approx fuel mileage--so when you are close on steers and/or drivers--you know HOW long it will take to BURN that weight off to be legal---you'll find for the most part--the few xtra lbs on either has no bearing--since by time you get to static state scale you WILL have burned that weight off in travel..............
     
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  6. loose_leafs

    loose_leafs Road Train Member

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    I have the opposite problem as you. 2015 Cascadia Evolution, with 5th wheel 2 notches from the front I am still at only 12000 on the steers with 80000 pound gross, meaning my drives usually end up being a few hundred pounds over unless I am low on fuel. This extra 2 notches might give me the 200 to 300 pounds I am looking for, but the problem is the Freightliner has extra long wings/ferrings. It is bad enough already if I get into a really tight spot.

    When the 5th wheel was farther back, the first heavy load I scaled was under 11000 on the steers with half full tanks. I rescaled at a CAT scale because I thought some thing was wrong with the original scale that I used.
     
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  7. GabeScott

    GabeScott Medium Load Member

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    If you have a 12,500 axle AND tires rated to that then try one hole first and reweigh but most likely you'll have to go two holes which on average would slide 500 lbs.

    Be sure to check your tire ratings too. For instance my front axle is rated to 12,500 but my tires are only rated 6175 which times two means my max legal front axle weight is 12,350 and not my axle's 12,500 rating.
     
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  8. loose_leafs

    loose_leafs Road Train Member

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    just out of curiosity my tread and sidewalls have different weight ratings, so I am assuming th e max weight allowed goes by the lower of the two numbers?
     
  9. Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Maybe this will shed some light on what my OP was supposed to reflect.

    1) I have never moved the 5th wheel on this truck. Actually, I have never slid a 5th wheel in my life that I remember.
    2) This truck is a brand new 2015 & is 7 weeks old
    3) For the 7 weeks I have had this truck, I've never been over on the steers. I have grossed actually a few lb over gross once & still wasnt over on steers. I was over on my trailer axles.
    Sometimes even with an empty trailer, I am a at 11,000 on the steers. Other times near gross, I am not over max steers. I dont get this truck.
    Its only been with in the last week that I have had the problem of over max on steers twice. Once today.

    Here is the problem today. Again a light load, only about 26,000 Lb, far from my max load at about 46,000.... & I am right at my steers max again. Here is the kicker, I checked the 5th wheel today & was going to move it back two notches & try that........ Its already all the way back in the last notch! This makes no sense to me.


    View attachment 69196 View attachment 69197

    For some reason the pic of the scale ticket wont up load. Here are the weights:
    Steers: 12,420
    Drives: 22,400
    Trailer: 24,100
    Gross: 58,920

    So, Now what???

    Edit: When I got this weight at a cat scale I had a little less than 3/4 tanks of fuel with two 120 tanks... less than 1/4 tank of DEF
     
    Last edited: Jul 24, 2014
  10. Bry

    Bry Light Load Member

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    LOL! that is funny
     
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  11. Bry

    Bry Light Load Member

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    grump, u oughtta kno this, but:
    remember, you always slide TOWARD the overweight problem, so sliding FORWARD would alleviate the steer weight, not moving it backwards, as you are talking about

     
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