Scale Question

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Guardian Devil, Feb 4, 2013.

  1. Guardian Devil

    Guardian Devil Bobtail Member

    27
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    Nov 15, 2012
    Nashville, TN
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    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.
     
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  3. Joker85

    Joker85 Road Train Member

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    Jul 3, 2010
    Phoenix Az
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    33_35k depending on size of fuel tanks and how much
     
  4. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    18,750
    45,501
    Sep 18, 2006
    the road less travelled
    0
    To know for sure, weigh it empty. They should allow that.

    A tractor with a van will probably weigh in the neighborhood off 32,500, with maybe 8000 on the trailer tandems 13,500 on the drives and 11k on the steers.


    A reefer will weigh between 1500 and 2000 more. Most of that added weight will be on the drives, although if the tandems are set way up they might weigh 9000.
     
  5. passingthru69

    passingthru69 Road Train Member

    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.
     
  6. good for nuthin'

    good for nuthin' Light Load Member

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    Dec 8, 2010
    Las Vegas NV
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    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.
     
  7. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    Feb 24, 2012
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    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
     
  8. wideglide13

    wideglide13 Light Load Member

    228
    53
    Jan 30, 2013
    Anywhere USA or Canada
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    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
     
  9. BLHinshaw

    BLHinshaw Light Load Member

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    Sep 28, 2012
    Graham, NC
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    next time you're empty fill the tanks up and cat scale it, then just save the number
     
    RickG Thanks this.
  10. chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

    5,653
    3,485
    Jun 21, 2008
    Deland, FL
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    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.
     
  11. KMac

    KMac Road Train Member

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    Jan 26, 2012
    Waxahachie, TX
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    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.
     
    chompi and davetiow Thank this.
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