Interesting Michigan Law regarding spread axles

I was recently inspected in coldwater michigan during brake safety week. i asked the officer if Michigan recognized 40,000 lbs on a spread axle trailer (40 on the spread). he said no 18+18 for 36,000 and they cut the weight allowed on your drives from 34000 to 32000. They do however take into account the size of your steers so you may actually get more weight up there depending on tire size. He told me that you can actually gross a lil more than 80 depending on steer size assuming you are plated for it. i found this very interesting and thought drivers who may pull a spread through Michigan know they dont recognize 40000 like the rest of the country does.

 

Yeah doesnt make sense, but if you get the cdl book that the secretary of state's office gives here in Michigan look in the back it shows many different truck trailer combos and axle weights and that is exactly what it says. 18,000+18,000 on spread. 32,000 on drives. 12,000 on steers?? Basically defeats the purpose of having a spread....pretty gay!