Would you run with this weight like this?

Given his situation and bridge you're stuck going back. However, my point is that you don't have to rework the entire trailer you can take off several rows from the rear and turn them sideways. This will concentrate the existing weight more forward than it sits right now. Take 30 minutes versus reworking the entire trailer. Without seeing the load in person I can't say that would work but I've done that before and it took enough off the rear that I was able to get it right.

 

Tennessee appears to be the center of the axle group.
Triple upside down triangles is the footnote for TN on the national weight & size provisions page:


And then it's pretty similar on the state/provincial page...top notation:

 

Who knew that trailers between 61' and 68' require a permit.

Back in the day,57' trailers were legal in Arkansas. You needed an oversized load permit and oversized load banners on the front and back of your truck. As soon as I got the state line I'd turn my CB off. Too many people wanting to know why the dry van had oversized load banners.

 

That's the footnote pertaining to Washington State and pulling doubles. The two trailers together can't be more than 61' without a permit, and with a permit can be up to 68'.

 

Here it is straight from the law book, read section C.

55-7-201. Maximum length of vehicles.

(a) For purposes of this section, "truck tractor" means the noncargo carrying power unit that operates in combination with a semitrailer or trailer, except that a truck tractor and semitrailer engaged in the transportation of automobiles may transport motor vehicles on part of the power unit.

(b) No motor vehicle as defined in § 55-1-103 consisting of a straight truck whose length, including any part of its body or load, exceeds forty-five feet (45') and no straight truck with trailer attached, the total length of which combination, including any part of the body or load, exceeds sixty-five feet (65') shall be operated on any highway.

(c) Motor vehicles consisting of a truck-tractor and semitrailer or trailer combination shall be permitted to operate over the federal and state highway system; provided, that the towed vehicle shall not exceed fifty feet (50') in length from the point of attachment to the tractor, except that this length may be increased to fifty-two feet (52') when the load on the vehicle consists of livestock, motor vehicle parts, automobiles and/or motor vehicles. If the towed vehicle exceeds forty-eight feet (48') in length from the point of attachment to the tractor and the load on the vehicle does not consist of livestock, motor vehicle parts, automobiles and/or motor vehicles, the distance between the kingpin and the rearmost axle or a point midway between the two (2) rear axles, if the two (2) rear axles are a tandem axle, shall not exceed forty-one feet (41').

(d) Motor vehicles consisting of a truck-tractor and twin trailer combination shall be permitted to operate on the interstate system and other federal-aid highways designated by the commissioner of transportation; provided, that neither of the towed vehicles shall exceed twenty-eight feet six inches (28' 6") in length.

(e) No twin trailer truck authorized by this chapter shall be operated on any highway designated as a scenic highway under the authority of title 54, chapter 17. The interstate system and other federal-aid highways designated by the commissioner shall not be considered scenic routes for purposes of this chapter.

(f) The limitation as to length stated in this section shall not apply to loads of poles, logs or timber in single length pieces; provided, that no motor vehicle, including any part of the body or load, transporting such material shall be in excess of seventy-five feet (75') in length unless a permit has first been obtained as authorized in § 55-7-205.

(g) The length limitations described in this section shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices designated by the commissioner except that no device excluded from the limitations of this section shall have by its design or use the capability to carry cargo.

(h) It is not a violation of the length limits set forth in this section when any otherwise properly titled and registered vehicle, which is in compliance with applicable length requirements, is disabled on the highways and requires a tow or other assistance in proceeding to an exit or a repair or terminal facility within one hundred (100) miles of the point where the vehicle became disabled, and the combined lengths of the disabled vehicle and the tow vehicle exceed the limits in this section. This exemption shall only apply to vehicles disabled while operating on the highway, and only when authorized by the owner, terminal manager, owner's agent, or law enforcement official.

HISTORY: Acts 1933, ch. 35, § 3; 1945, ch. 132, § 1; mod. C. Supp. 1950, § 2715.1 (Williams, § 2715.3); Acts 1959, ch. 87, § 1; 1967, ch. 400, § 1; 1974, ch. 500, § 1; 1979, ch. 91, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-1107; Acts 1981, ch. 448, § 5; 1982, ch. 768, § 1; 1982, ch. 912, §§ 1, 4; 1982, ch. 953, § 3; 1983, ch. 319, § 4; 1987, ch. 116, § 1; 1988, ch. 483, § 1; T.C.A., § 55-11-201; Acts 2007, ch. 235, § 1; 2014, ch. 894, § 2; 2014, ch. 895, § 1.

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I ran through Memphis a couple weeks ago on 55 and didn't get stopped--my tandems were at like 43' or something (to the rear axle). I just know I was over (on the kingpin law, not weight) by a LOT and didn't get pulled in--of course, I got the green light on the Prepass. Don't know if I would've had different results if I'd actually gone through the weight station.

 

Ummm, there’s no scale on 55 in Tennessee.

 

I'd get that reworked if you are already at 41' to center of tandem group on trailer. Is your trailer marked, or did you measure? Don't go by what someone else told you about the hole count.

Whenever I'm that close, I measure. Most trailers have their vertical rivet lines on either 2 foot centers, or 1 foot centers, or a combination of both. Shaffer trailers generally have 1 foot centers between rivet lines for the first 20 feet of the trailer or so, then change to 2 foot centers.

The center of the kingpin should line up with a rivet line. Then count rivet lines from the kingpin line to the center of the rear tandem.

If you're lucky, you might even have more room to adjust.