Weight on steers, 5th wheel adjustment

100 gallons would be around 750 pounds.

You could go one hole back on the 5th wheel; that should put your steers at around 11,500 with 3/4 tanks.

 

You should try moving the 5th wheel back, see how much wiggle room that gives you on the fron axle. Another option is to talk to your dispatcher and tell them you need to run half tanks to be able to do the load, and see if they will modify your fuel route. Depending on your gross and other axle weights they might just tell you to head back to reciever and take off 1000 pounds or so.

DONT RUN ILLEGAL though... it is YOUR LICENSE, YOUR LIVELYHOOD, and YOUR INCOME that comes into jeopardy if you do.

And since you are new and a company driver ill leave out the "youll burn off some weight in fuel" option

 

what are your tires rated at? Most states will allow you 12300-12500. Others will allow you even more. But if you wanted to slide the 5th wheel back one notch both loads you mentioned would be non issues.

 

Thank goodness for one correct response!

 

Guys im guessing this driver is new.. how is he going to remember what states allow the extra weight, when the driver probably doesnt even know the bridge laws for the states they run? esp since hes not sure about sliding the 5th wheel

And its not just what the tires are rated for... just cuz your tires are rated for a certain weight doesnt mean your axles are... you go over the trucks max axle weight limits and your still running illegal even if the state allows the weight on their state roads.

 

8lbs/gal

 

Actually, diesel ranges from 6.6 to 7.1 pounds per gallon. Depends on temp and which refinery it comes from, as to the exact weight.

 

how is he too remember? I would suggest he keep his rand McNally map with its listing of weight allotments close at hand. As was mentioned before by sliding his fifth wheel back a notch his steer weights won't be the issue it was. And while you are correct your axle weight limit can come into play 99% of the time if a scale master wants to make a point he or she will verify that the tires are rated for your weight. I had a truck outfitted with a heavy steer axle and 16 ply tires and unless I was over 13k on the steers the tire rating was the only thing that would come into play.

 

It all depends on where your fuel tanks are positioned on the truck. If they are further back, closer to the drives, then most of the weight will go on your drives.