If the bridge has a weight limit on it sometimes it is only an axle or tandem limit. Don't exceed it. Doing so can open you up to legal problem's and the trucks owner to serious legal problems if the truck causes the bridge to fail.
Bridge capacities
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Bdog, Apr 23, 2017.
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Chinatown Thanks this.
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I've broken one front leaf spring already.
I routinely cross a 6ton bridge with an empty weight of 11.5 (double) but otherwise avoid 'em like the plague. The SHIPPER should pay to have your bridge reconstructed but NO! Wait for it . . .
Let some hapless trucker pay instead?? -
I remember when I was a new driver I was all worried about these same issues. Just go deliver your load and DONT hit it fast, that's ridiculous.
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I dont think I would be calling the County etc. I mean, you may get helpful Suzie but you may also get cantankerous Charlie. I dont think I would call & tell them you're about to cross one of their 20K bridges over that limit tomorrow. You may be surprised when you get to the other side of that bride & there is a deputy sheriff hiding in the bushes on the other side. I can tell you, the county aint going to tell you its ok to cross that bridge. That just puts them responsible for any out come. They AINT going to do that.
If he says no, you cant cross it, how are you going to get your stuff to the customer? While it may be the right thing to do.... legally, If you mess up getting that load there, your employer probably aint gonna be too happy with you.
Do just as you would with anything else, call the dispatcher/boss/supervisor etc & let that person handle it. That's what THEY get paid for... not you (at least I dont). If they say its ok, your covered with the company. If they say cross it, get it in writing, make sure you have a witness or something. I can tell you, if something happens, they never told you crap. YOU'RE going to be a liar.
If they call & its a refusal, then its on them if the product doesn't get there. Or, they can arrange to take it to the customer in smaller, lighter loads.
If you dont want to cross it & the dispatcher says cross it, call the sheriffs office (quietly) & have them dispatch a deputy .... on YOUR side of the bridge... to give you orders NOT to cross it.
If the dispatcher says cross it & you are ok with it, cross it. If you get caught, its on the company. If the bridge falls in, its on YOU.... and of course the company.driverdriver Thanks this. -
Toomanybikes, Chewy352, driverdriver and 5 others Thank this.
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Boy many of you are making assumptions.
1. He is not getting paid to haul freight. It is his own equipment.
2. He is the job site boss.
@Bdog calling the county is the best option. Or unload on one side, cross over the load up again.DDlighttruck, passingthru69, not4hire and 4 others Thank this. -
Why take the chance on that bridge with so many risks (citation, potential damage, etc.)? -
Mea culpa.
The principle still applies, though: contact the local authority regarding crossing...
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