Weight on steers, 5th wheel adjustment

In a couple of states in the south,we are allowed 84,000 IF we stay on state hwys. and if the product is ag or forest. Makes me an outlaw i reckon.actually thought i had left those days behind me but i have been labled again.still waiting on why those overweights have not shown up on my or the man i pull for CSA-

 

As of right now, overweights don't count against CSA. They are in process of figuring out how to deal with size/weight issues. I researched this a month or two ago for some carhauling buddies, and there is no timeline in place as to when this will happen, but it's coming.


And I'm all with you on the outlaw. I can haul 84K legal in Colorado, but once I'm in Nebraska, I'm suddenly an unsafe menace because I don't have a piece of paper?

 

I have never, had nor heard of anybody being harassed or ticketed for being for being slightly over 12,000 and even as high as 12,300 on your steers, as long as your gross is ok. About 4 years ago I was about 79900 gross after refueling, got pulled into Truckee in CA due to being 34100 on the trailer. My fault for not re-scaling and paying closer attention. My Steers were at least 12,200 from what I remember.

After Giving me a level 2, going through my logs, permits, and paperwork with a fine-toothed comb, they let me off with a warning for over axle weight on the trailer and I was able to pull my tandems back one more notch. They did not mention one word about the steers. I have gone as high as 12,400 or 12,500 before, crossed scales, and no one has said a word, though that is really chancing it.

If they really want to get technical, they can look at the weight rating on the sidewalls, most steers on road trucks are at least 6125 per tire (12250 for the axle then), If they really want to get technical they can nail you that way too. But usually even the anal states like CA and MN don't even bat an eye at that.

From my experience unless it is something extreme, DOT is more likely to ticket you for a clearance light out or airline dragging on the catwalk before they say a thing about the weight on your steers.

Keep in mind too, the farther back you pull your fifth wheel, the more fuel you suck due to the increased gap between your cab/sleeper and trailer creating more drag. And when inches count, backing into that last tight open parking spot in a truck stop late at night, or making those tight turns in any downtown area.

With full tanks I have usually ran 12200 for the past 11 years, and crossed virtually every major scale in the country just like that when they've been open. Never been bothered for being 12,200 or 12,300 on my steers.

 

I got a LT WT Cascadia with Prime. Cannot slide 5th wheel as it has steel plates behind it, tires rated at 12000, 350 allowance puts me at 12350 which is the weight when fueled 3/4 full. I have weighed at a Budweiser plant empty trailer full tanks 12500, so I am constantly fueling to about 3/4 full to avoid running over a scale over 12350. Very rarely get an opportunity to fuel it full, good thing fuelling more often means more shower credits.

 

Out of curiosity, how far in front of the tandem centerline is the 5th wheel pivot?

 

Uh oh I must be a real outlaw...I have 13k on my steers empty...lol

 

I'm not so sure DOT really cares about the steers. I've been over 13000 on the steers, but I do have an APU too so that can be a factor. As long as the drives are ok. Hauling chems I had to raise my fifth wheel height to 50" from the ground up, so it pushed some of the weight to the trailer wheels.
I have a Pete 387 and have been told they're notorious for being heavy in the steers. So far, never had a problem.

 

Had the same problem could never fuel up. Had the shop move the plate and 5th wheel to the 5 hole. No problems since.

 

Talk about outlaws,coal buckets in southern WV. can gross 120k on designated routes, if they pay extra money for their base plate.

 

That is water not diesel fuel, 7.5 is pretty darn close.