Most States Have 20k/Single Axle Weight Limits -- Why Is This So High?

Run all day long with what your axle and tires can do.

 

Yes but only legally if your tires and axle are rated for 12800 or more
Seems that a lot of trucks have axles rated around 12-14000 so look before dot looks for you

 

The reason it’s 20k is because it falls under the max. single axle rating. Instead of 34k max. for a set of tandems. A single axle Truck (or Trailer) is 20k. Any axle is still limited by axle and tire ratings. Same reason a spread axle trailer can have 20k on each axle, because they’re spread and each qualifies as a single axle, instead of a tandem set at 34k.

 

And remember a typical OTR 53' van isn't the only option out there for "trucks".
Stuff like cranes, cement haulers, tow trucks and other equipment can easily be rated for 20 front axles and tires.

 

As long as you have a 20k front axle with 445’s on it and 72” spread drives you can put 19,800 on the steer and 39,700 on the drives of a tractor here. Ontarios bridge formula and regs gives us way more weight intra-Ontario than what’s allowed Canada wide on the TAC schedule equipment. Pretty much the same as some State laws compared to what’s allowed on the Interstate system.

 

You still can't go over 80k

 

Depends on the state. For example MI you just toss on another axle and register the vehicle for the higher rate.

 

Michigan you can go to around 148,000 in some counties. Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana you can go at least 105,000 because I was licenced for that in those states at one time. Most of the western states are up around 100,000 somewhere. Maine and Vermont are 100,000 on 6 axles.

 

I’m ignorant of what’s allowed out east but these states will license over 80k gross. Some you need a permit, some you just need to raise your cab card. I’m not going to get into the bridge law and number of axles, etc, but stating you can’t go over 80k is wrong.

MN IA ND SD NE KS OK MT WY CO ID WA OR

 

Spread axle laws.

Plus knowing axle rating helps, Mine are 13200, and AR doesn’t bother me as long as other axles are right and not over 80,500(WITH APU)