Overweight on Steers

Look at the spec sheet on the door where it lists max weights. I drove a truck that was spec'ed 13,500. I called the boss, and he said run it. You are allowed 20,000 or spec weight on single axle. Most steers are only spec'ed 12,000.

 

Had a dot guy tell me if the tires are rated for more weight then it's cool to run em to around 13k I don't remember the exact details cuz I never deal with that problem so I guess I don't even know why I'm contributing to this discussion

 

They could ticket you for that. If it's a 12,000 lb axle you're 1500 over. Some places load stupid and shove too much weight into the nose and then you're screwed. Taking it to the shop and having them move it back would be the best idea. I start with mine all the way back to where the trailer kingpin is dead center between the drive axles and only slide it forward if necessary. Our trucks have Hollands that only move ~1000 lbs but it's enough to get out of a jam usually.

 

Newer emissions trucks have gotten heavier. It is like no one in engineering can figure it out. You add 500-600lbs of emissions crap under the cab and they never think of having to reposition the fifth wheel to accommodate for it.

If your are going to have a fixed fifth wheel you can not just set it up centered between the drives anymore. That is old world thinking. Now with emissions axles set back for tighter steering, the typical hi way front axles are often overloaded before a trailer is even hitched. Add an APU things get even worse.

 

On your side ever tires, it should tell you how many plies it has and the load rating. Go from there. If the tires are good, you're good.

 

What rating is your axle and tires. Lowest rated component dictates weight rating. 12,000 is simply what is left after you take 68000 from 80000.

I drive open car carrier I'm over 12k loaded all the time on steers.

 

What size wheels and what's the wheelbase? I don't know the numbers off the top of my head, but 12k is not necessarily a hard number, depending in the size of your steers and the wheelbase even if you're rated at 80k.

These questions need to be addressed to your company.

Alternatively, if you're like some guys I have known, you have 1000 pounds of crap on the truck. Particularly with flatbed, if you're carrying 12 chains at 60 lbs each in your cab side box, etc.

 

Perfectly put. Most states have a 20,000 lb limit which no semi is ever going to get near though a 3 axle dump truck may. Inside your driver's door is a sticker with the max weight load of the axle, and on the sidewall of the tire is the max weight loading of the tire, the lowest one is your max weight.
My cascadia has a 13,200lb steer axle but only 6,150lb loading on each Bridgestone tire, so my steer max is 12,300lb.
Never been bothered at 12,600 or so but 13,500 is chancing it, your not likely to get away from a dot inspector low on his quota missing that easy money!