Weight question

Discussion in 'LTL and Local Delivery Trucking Forum' started by WashingtonJB, Apr 21, 2026 at 9:15 AM.

  1. Apr 21, 2026 at 9:15 AM #1
    WashingtonJB

    WashingtonJB Bobtail Member

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    Hey all, have an interesting question. Driving a single screw day cab, pulling a 53 ft tandem axle trailer, axles all the way forward. Had 15,500 in drums toward the nose, lots of space then 4000 near the tail. On the scale my drives was 19,800. At my first stop the 4000 comes off. Am I now over weight on the drives? My thought is the tail weight is taking some weight off the drives, almost like a fat kid and a skinny kid on a teeter totter. What's your thoughts on this scenario?
     
    WashingtonJB, Apr 21, 2026 at 9:15 AM
    WashingtonJB, Apr 21, 2026 at 9:15 AM
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  3. Apr 21, 2026 at 11:16 AM #2
    OldeSkool

    OldeSkool Road Train Member

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    I don’t know. If you are overweight at the scale you could explain this theory to the officer. If he’s a skinny officer he would probably understand. If he’s a fat officer I would come up with a different explanation.
     
    OldeSkool, Apr 21, 2026 at 11:16 AM
    OldeSkool, Apr 21, 2026 at 11:16 AM
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  4. Apr 21, 2026 at 11:54 AM #3
    tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    The whole weight of combination (Steer + Drive + trailer) are divided among those 3 axles. Removing 4,000 pounds from the combination cannot make any axle heaver than before. I would re-weigh the whole truck, paying out of my own pocket if necessary, to prove it to yourself. If I am wrong, send Syndey Sweeney to my house and I will give her the money for the re-weigh.
     
    tscottme, Apr 21, 2026 at 11:54 AM
    tscottme, Apr 21, 2026 at 11:54 AM
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  5. Apr 21, 2026 at 1:19 PM #4
    Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    You can put 20k on a single axle all day long. And yes, “some” weight will come off but not the 4k completely.
     
    Diesel Dave, Apr 21, 2026 at 1:19 PM
    Diesel Dave, Apr 21, 2026 at 1:19 PM
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  7. Apr 21, 2026 at 8:41 PM #5
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    First thing, if you have a sliding fifth wheel slide it up if you’re going to haul thay kind of weight on a longbox.

    Second, what I personally would have done is left the first 12 feet empty, put a load bar or two up, then load the drums. You really have to watch it when pulling longboxes with a single screw.
     
    MACK E-6, Apr 21, 2026 at 8:41 PM
    MACK E-6, Apr 21, 2026 at 8:41 PM
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