trailers/load distrib.

If you've got plenty of room, weight-wise, and just want to even it up, sure. It only costs a dollar to rescale, and I've always thought better safe than sorry. What if you counted wrong and you're still 200 lbs off? Best way is to have that second scale ticket showing you're legal, in case its ever questioned at a DOT scale.

 

Thanks. That all makes sense.

 

Yes.. Scale again no matter what the set up is if you're pushing max gross. Same thing but a little different with a set because you have two boxes to scale. I've had situations where I was over total gross but axled out with a set so I simply dumped the heavy back box for a light one and re-scaling was not needed since I knew I was way under 80K - if I was re-working a front box because I was over on the drives I always ran back over the scale to make sure it was right because that trailer was pushing gross.

With some experience you'll get to a point where you know you're good by making adjustments and there will be no need to verify - till then save the headache and run it over again..

 

No doubt.. I have as well.. Very good thread..

 

Tankers live and die on product density. We always wanted to know what the weight per gal is. Problem is moving multiple products of different densities in a multi hole tanker. If you have to move 2000gal of a heavy product and 4000 of a lighter one in a trailer that is 3000, 2000, 3000 you need to figure out where that heavier 2000 needs to be, do you want it on the nose, center or rear?

5 products in a 6 compartment trailer can need rocket science depending on different the densities.

Tankers are limited in length as the barrel is the frame of a chem tanker. WE had a problem w/ some leased tanks 'cause the main office spec them for day cabs & had the kingpin set too far back for the heavier sleepers we were actually using...had to move all the plates up and shift the spacer to the rear...just to avoid more drive axle tickets.

Specific tankers are also designed w/ the product in mind. Acid tankers are usually under 4500 gal while a solvent tank could be 8000 gal to handle the lighter product.

Tankers are engineered for the length and products in some cases.

We used to win in PA when they used that 6" high strip to weigh axles. The product rolls away from the tandem riding up on the scale strip...We had them beat for years!

My trainees eyes would bulge when we'd pull their first load up on the scale and I'd tell them NOT to lock the brakes b/4 jumping out. The scale is level and the moving product rocks the truck back 'N forth allowing you to get a weight. Locked brakes means waiting for the movement to stop to get a weight. They would get used to this and then you would go to that one old plant where the scale had sunk at one end that had the big signs telling you to chock on the scale so you don't roll off.......

 

I also have learned a lot here. A driver has a lot of responsibility loading a truck and making sure that truck is ready for the road. I see every driver that posted on this thread, Is what We consider, a Professional Driver. Every one of you drivers know how to move these axles and properly load Tankers. I'm Very Impressed with all of your knowledge and SAFETY. Awesome. Thanks

 

If they would have their scales set right it wouldn't be as big of a deal. Our scales have a setting for "moving loads". It will allow you to stamp a ticket with the scale in motion for liquid loads or livestock (good luck getting cattle to stop moving) Mettler Toledo has scales that can take axle weights on trucks at 70mph while measuring axle spacing, so a sloshing tanker should be easy.