Scale Question

I pick up from a shipper who does not list the load weight on the shipping papers. I have to drive over a scale at their yard that weighs one axle at a time. (Forgot what you call them...) I pull the steer wheels on the scale, write down the weight, then do the same with the tractor tandems and then the trailer tandems. Here is my question: What is a good ballpark tare weight to use for a 2004 Freightliner Columbia and a 53' trailer for the two tandem axles in order to figure the load weight? Thanks in advance.

 

33_35k depending on size of fuel tanks and how much

 

Well you need to get a mty. weight of your trk. and trl. but doing drop and hook, the trl. weights may very depending on the brand of trls..
So you can get a tractor weight bobtail and remember you fuel level.
Also look on the vin plate of the trls. Alot of them will have an mty. weight posted on them I believe.

 

All gave you very good answers.A good estimate for a tare empty weight on that rig would be about 33,200 lbs mty.Its best to weigh the rig empty,but like the other guy said a great dane trailer will weigh different from a hyundai or wabash.etc.

 

too many unlisted variables still...

APU? Side Skirts? Chains? fuel load? Trailer Make and type? Rims, all steel or aluminum?

If it's a dry van, somewhere around 33K. reefer, 35K. Hopper, 28K

 

If you are close to max weight or close to max on any axle i would not trust that scale and go weigh it on a cat scale ...and the scale is a axle scale that weighs one axle at time

 

next time you're empty fill the tanks up and cat scale it, then just save the number

 

You can use that scale for quick weigh or rough estimate but you really need to hit a certified CAT scale to be 100%. Always find the nearest one while you are getting loaded and immediately go and weigh your truck. If there is a problem you won't have that far to back track to the customer to get it fixed.

If you have a smart phone there is a really good app called "DAT Trucker Services". This is my first choice but there is also a "CAT Scale" one and several others. If you don't have a smartphone then pick up a scale guide at a truck stop and you can also ask the shipper where the closest scale is.

 

That's the truth... I picked up a load at a Mill in Maine, scaled it and was 800 over... was only going 600 miles so wouldn't even burn off enough fuel to get it legal. Sure as hell on the 12 mile drive back to the shipper to get the load cut, DOT set up the portable scales. I showed the officer the scale ticket and explained I was on my way back to the Mill. He just did a quick level 3 and sent me on my way.