41 feet kingpin-to-rearmost axle

ok, i got it

its better to be over axle weight but within the 40foot mark
than to be properly scaled, but beyond the 40foot

thanks

thats funny because when i would go thru cali, i would choose the 2holes more than the axle because i figured i would tip the scale at 34,500 but if it was 2holes, that would mean they would have to get out and look

 

Tandem rails are typically generic steel that are cut to length by the manufacturer. Thus the reason for all the holes. As to why it's possible to put the tandems beyond the 41' bridge law position, some customers demand tandems to the rear for loading and unloading. This nearly eliminates the trailer from rising up off the landing gear as a fork lift goes in and out of the trailer.

There are some states which DO ENFORCE the Bridge Law; TN, MA, NY come to mind. A bridge law violation in MA will cost you $750 no matter what your tandems or drives weigh. And it doesn't matter if you are one hole too long. Other states will enforce Total Gross Weight, then axle weight, then the bridge law. Best thing to do; keep your axle weight legal and don't go beyond 41' from king pin to center of the rear axle.

 

This info is a bit dated but it gives a pretty good overview of the length laws for each state. For general info only...be sure to check the up-to-date regulations in the states you run.

http://truckinginfo.com/hdt/archives/1997/01/038a9701.asp

 

TN wrote one our drivers an $1800 ticket for the tandoms being all the back. would have been ok on the weight,he forgot to move them after loading.

 

I picked up a loaded trailer from Fedex last week that was loaded with 35k, not too heavy and should scale ok. The tandems were in the 5th hole from the front but I figured I'd check on their scale before I left. Well, not too sure who loaded the trailer but when I first scaled it I was 11,300s/20,250d/37950t! That's a pretty big error on the loading if you ask me. I had to move the tandems to the 19th hole just to get it to scale legal. I didn't measure the kingpin-axle but it was surely well past the 41ft mark. Do you ask the shipper to reload the trailer if that happens?

 

Florida allows up to 44,000 on tandems.

 

the truck was not overweight, just the length was too long of the supports of the weight

$1,800 is excessive by any measure

 

Only with a permit load...

 

You don't know what you're talking about. Look in the front of your atlas.