Gross weight for a dump truck?

Discussion in 'Tanker, Bulk and Dump Trucking Forum' started by Derricks, Sep 13, 2017.

  1. Derricks

    Derricks Bobtail Member

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    What determines how much weight a dump truck can hold?
    Let's say you have 2 dump trucks with a 18ft bed. One is a tri axle and one is a quad. Both can hold the same amount of weight? Or is it the quad just has more pulling power because it has more wheels on the ground and is stronger? Does 40tons for a 18ft bed on a quad sound right?
     
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  3. Derricks

    Derricks Bobtail Member

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  4. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    If you have a total of three axles you can only gross so much.

    4 axles you can carry a little more. And 5 total axles and so on.

    Wheels on the ground has nothing to do with pulling power assuming both dumptrucks are the same engine. You might find the tri a better more agile truck than the quad. But the quad might go places softer where the tandem might get stuck.

    But assuming one or two of those axles are tags where they are lifted up during turning etc there is usually no power given to them. They are there for weight compliance usually. I see them as a advantage but the locals around here bark at me get em tags up often. If they wanna drive it, they have at it lol.

    I don't know about 40 ton on 18 feet on 4 axles, that's.. up there. You could do it I suppose but you need to check your state's axle and gross weight chart which should be in your motor carrier's atlas or on the DOT commercial vehicle site.

    Also your trucks will have a Max gross weight rating on them stamped at the door frame.

    The reason Im being a bit soft on weights is because when we had mine on three axles plus a beaver back there on the ring we were successful in some of our encounters with the state police because she was loaded with dirt which does not weight much compared to granite stone.

    I know I was over heavy at times which was more usual than not. It's just the way it was.

    What makes me going is the braking. Can you stop? I think there is a man out around TTR with a truck that wont stop for him. Havent heard back lately.
     
  5. Derricks

    Derricks Bobtail Member

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    I apologize not 40 tons. It's 20tons.

    I'm looking at buying a 07 international dump truck, 18ft bed, quad axle, 330 hp.

    Just wonder if I would have any problems pulling fully loaded with that motor
     
  6. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    Yes I am over the map. As you say.

    First I spoke about the differences in quad and tri axle truck behavior if both had the same engine.

    Then I spoke about how each truck will be able to carry a little bit and the other alot of bit.

    Then I spoke about my own experiences in dump, I only had three axles sometimes only two but we rolled heaped high in stone with weights that are certianly over gross etc. I even loaded a '55 Dodge flatbed wagon farm truck up to 17000 gross on a 3 speed column shift. THAT was a interesting day.

    Then I spoke about a couple of other things. But explained that I know most vehicles have a gross weight rating on the door frame with a plate that goes with it. THAT is what you work off of.

    More axles more money. But not always easier to make it.

    I do not stick strictly to a topic, I tend to ramble or maybe get a story in or two. Writing in english compared to the language of the deaf in it's full capabilities I find english a little limited when writing a paper about something. So I try to work through the map as you call it.
     
  7. Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    Hey, we'd make a good team. With you being all over the map, and me being well over the hill....:confused:
     
    4mer trucker and x1Heavy Thank this.
  8. Dirty-Low-Walker

    Dirty-Low-Walker Medium Load Member

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    Now its my turn to pick on you.......LOL
    Just kidding.
    But seriously, I have to disagree with you about Tandems if they are spec'd out right, no Tri axle or quad can go where a Tandem can go due to the drag from the lift axles.
    I owned many Dump trucks and the Mack RD688SX with 11/24 tube type tires were the best truck off road that i have ever seen in the 30+ years i have been in the excavating business, they were heavy, 28K to 30K empty, but if you needed a truck to do off road work, no other dump truck could go where a 58K lb rear Mack can.
     
    Dino soar and wore out Thank this.
  9. abyliks

    abyliks Road Train Member

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    What state are you in and do you know the laws?

    I'm in MA, a "ten wheeler" (1 steer, 2 drive) is good for up to 73000 if you have enough GVW, a "tri axle" (1 steer, 1 lift, 2 drive) we can run 81,000 on "without a scale ticket" (which you NEVER have), but each state is different,

    Our ten wheeler has a 14 front, 46 rears, with a 14' body, so loaded it's right at its 60k gross, our tri axle has 20 front, 25 tag, and 46 rears, which gives us plenty for a reducible load permit
     
    MartinFromBC Thanks this.
  10. NightWind

    NightWind Road Train Member

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    In my state of Alabama 4 axles gross 82,400 5 axles 88,000 6 axles 92,400 NOT on the interstate only on state and county roads. engine size has nothing to do with the weight capacity, most of the time. Other factors come into play there.
     
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