How to drive legal weight for California

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Javier T, Mar 9, 2016.

  1. Javier T

    Javier T Bobtail Member

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    how to drive legal weight for California
     
  2. TROOPER to TRUCKER

    TROOPER to TRUCKER Anything Is Possible

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  3. Javier T

    Javier T Bobtail Member

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    First load to ca
     
  4. Javier T

    Javier T Bobtail Member

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  5. Pete jockey

    Pete jockey Medium Load Member

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    Ok...and?
     
    Dominick253 Thanks this.
  6. Javier T

    Javier T Bobtail Member

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  7. ac120

    ac120 Road Train Member

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    80 K max. If you're pulling a 53 with a tandem axle, the maximum allowable kingpin setting is 40 feet from the kingpin to the CENTER of the rear trailer axle. It doesn't have to be 40 feet, but it cannot be more. They'll ticket you for anything over 40 feet. Of course, with that setting, 12/34/34 maximums, so when you get loaded, scale and adjust for the California setting. Triaxle trailer? Go to the California Highway Patrol website; the Commercial Division. IIRC, no kingpin setting restrictions for a 48. It wouldn't hurt to be perfectly legal on your logs.
     
  8. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Hopefully there is a mark on your tailer that indicates "40". This is the distance in feet from the kingpin, back. California says that the center of the rear axle to the kingpin can not EXCEED 40 feet. So start with the rear axle at the 40 foot mark. If you're trailer tandem is too heavy (Over 34,000 lbs) you have a problem and will likely have to get the load re-worked. If you're under 34,000 on the trailer, you can still slide the trailer tandems FORWARD to take on more weight and not violate the "40 foot rule"

    That's as simple as I can state it.
     
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  9. Javier T

    Javier T Bobtail Member

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    I don't have nothing in my trailer
     
  10. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    The markings [if there] are generally on the driver's side along where the trailer tandems are. If you are pulling a 48 footer then this conversation is pointless because the 40 foot rule does not apply.

    But if not, then you'll have to figure it out. Look at other trailers near you. I also assume you have a 53 foot trailer so pay no mind to the shorter 48 foot trailers that you may see. "Eyeball it" if you need to. The point is, on a 53, the 40 foot mark is significantly far away from the rear of the trailer. At least don't make it too obvious for California cops by traveling with your tandems virtually all the way back. That's a dead give away.