Let it ride?

While 80 lbs is nothings you'd get hassled over, not to mention the fact that it'll be under by the time you get there.....you do need to watch it at the two I70 scale houses there between St. Louis and Terra Haute. In my experience the east bound there at Brownstown (IL) by Vandalia will look for an excuse to pull in and inspect anything. I see more get inspected than passed. Then there's the eastbound just inside the IN border before Terra Haute. I've RARELY ever seen that coop closed....and there's always 10-12 troopers there in my experience. Either way....heads up and good luck driver!

 

Read the weight rating on the sidewall of your tire, that is what will determine your steer axle weight capacity . Your probably 100% legal right now.

 

So you've been pulling this halfway across the country thinking you're over weight. Why didn't you find some help to slide the tandems along the way? If 'the shop' was able to get them to move you could also. smh

 

It's kinda hard to keep it at or below 12,000 lbs on the steers when the bobtail alone is over 12,000 lbs.

So long as you don't exceed the max weight rating for 1. The tires. 2. The axle, you'll be fine. In all the years I've been out here, I've never had an issue with steers being in the 13k range so long as drives and trailer, along with gross being legal.

 

No it doesn’t, it lists the tire weight rating only. You can’t put tiers rated for more than the axle is rated for and magical increase the axle rating.

ZVar had the correct info earlier in the thread.

 

Would you mind posting the regulation that states this? At least a number so I can see it.

Edited to add because in the case of class 7 and class 8 trucks the axle ratings are a red herring. The OPs truck is going to be one of these. States use various rules to define their steer weight limits. It is not standard. However I have an open mind please show me the actual rule.

 

Kinda like mud flap laws, every state has their own. You can take a look at http://www.trucking.org/ATA Docs/Wh...n the Compilation of Size and Weight Laws.pdf

Arkansas for example says...
(c) (1) Maximum Weight on Front or Steering Axle. The maximum weight imposed on the highway by the front or steering axle of a vehicle shall not exceed the amount of the manufacturer's axle weight rating for the front or steering axle or twenty thousand pounds (20,000 lbs.), whichever is less. If the vehicle has no plate attached by the manufacturer providing the axle and gross weight ratings, the maximum weight allowed for the front or steering axle shall be twelve thousand pounds (12,000 lbs.).

Sorry the websites sucks and I'm unable to post a direct link. You can look at the PDF and read all the states websites if you want though.

 

I understand. However I don't think the axle ratings on class 7 and 8 trucks is that low as to affect this. This really for a class 7 or 8 truck leaves it up to either the maximum weight allowed or the tire rating. This axle weight rating starts becoming an issue with smaller trucks. Then this is important to prevent overloading. I don't have a motor carrier atlas anymore and I don't feel like researching it. I just don't know if all the states use tire ratings. I know some use tire width X pounds. However I never really worried about it. 99% of the time my weights were under 12,000 or just a bit above.

 

The problem is most drivers think 80,000 lbs less 2x34,000 lbs equals 12,000 lbs max for steer axle. This not correct. It is the least of 20,000 single axle, axle rating, tire rating or formula in some states that allows more than 12,000 lbs. Most tire ratings are around 6,170 lbs, and I have not, in 16 years of driving, driven a truck that didn't have at least 12,350 lbs front axle.

Seeing as most trucks have at least 12,350, I doubt any DOT will hassle you if you are what is legal in the vast majority of trucks. I haven't been.