Max PayLoad

During the last few months many shippers are trying to load me with 42K and up . Now most of them are trying to load me with 44K and 45k. My trailer is air ride with etrack so together with my hat century with 102" sleeper i weight 37000 to 37,500 lbs empty. For a while I would get them to load less up to the legal limit (gross 80k and payload of 43,000) Now they are refusing to do that. What are my options ? can i get a van that is lighter than mine ? or is my problem mostly from having the big sleeper size.

 

You can find lighter freight or lessen your weight 2,000 lbs to compete. It's really not that difficult.

 

how would i lessen my weight ?

 

Super single tires, composite trailer construction, maybe a roll up door over barn doors?

for the tractor? Take an inventory of the things you take with you, and maybe cut back? If you have a fridge that weighs maybe 125 pounds, maybe a lighter one? maybe all lighter weight appliances? Maybe super singles on the tractor as well? maybe smaller fuel tanks?

If you're an o/o, you can do nearly anything you want.

If you're a company driver, you can't, instead you call your company and tell them, let them decide what to do?

DO you have a certified CAT scale ticket, with the trailer empty, and half full fuel tanks, as proof of your weight before your load?

That'll give you (or your company) the very best numbers to work with.

The "average weight" of diesel fuel, USED TO BE, 7 pounds per gallon. Someone else may know how much the newer fuels weigh. Then do you have a DEF tank as well? I Can't tell you how much DEF weighs, or the size of that tank.

DO you have an APU? I think you a re allowed up to 400 pounds?

 

You can't effectively lessen your weight if you're not prepared to perhaps spend money and trade heavier equipment for lighter equipment (probably the tractor and maybe the trailer) You will have to determine what compromise you are willing to accept. Weigh both truck and trailer independently (and keep the amount of fuel you have on-board in mind) as you compare other equipment on the market. But if you're not prepared to trade and/or spend money, there's no need in worrying about it, and seek out lighter freight.

 

Thanks Texan. I am going to look. I figured that if i weight 37,500 and the tractor should be at 19,500 so my van is 18,000 . I saw they have light weight van of 11,500 . Can those take 44k with no risk to load and driver ?

 

Light weight materials does not mean weaker.

 

Oh Ok. Thanks Guys. I guess I need to start shopping.

 

DEF is 9lb/gal. http://www.brenntagdef.com/en/pages/DEFQuickFacts/How_much_does_DEF_weigh/index.html

 

Why don't you go weigh yourself with and without your trailer instead of guessing. You said you have a 102" sleeper?