MI: Help me understand 6 axle weights.

I ran a refeer through Oregon with 14k on the steer many times. Never had an issue. In that Cassie you couldn't get the steer under 12K unless you had the 5th wheel all the way back and running empty

 

I quit worrying about steers as long the gross, drives and trailer tandems were on the numbers. Usually 12,700 to 13 something loaded. Tires were good for 6000 pounds weight so.. there is that.

 

What is the advantage of having a tandem 9 over a trailer with 3 10s? If the pusher axle could become a lift axle, then would that solve your problem?

If you are serious about trying to figure this out perhaps call Lansing and ask to talk to a supervisor DOT official about it.

 

Michigan is an axle weight state that allows 161,000 on an 8 axle trailer configuration....running a pusher in MI is difficult because of the axle weight rules....you will see guys run those bigger steer tires that allow 14k on the steer...your best bet in MI is to run a tandem tractor with a 3 or 4 axle trailer....that allows you 105,000 with the 3 axle and 119,000 with the 4, being from Toledo (like me) that allows you to get a permit to run 120,000 in Ohio and Indiana BUT you can just stay out of MI and depending on your axle spacing you can get a 120 or 117 in OH and IN with a regular spread....but a pusher in this area of operation is kind of a waste

 

Sorry to sound like a newb but what exactly is a pusher? I was in michigan and saw many multi tandem trailers in all different configurations. Whats the purpose of have all 9 axles down? How do they drive compared to a normal tandem trailer ?

 

The size of the tires are one thing, the axle rating has to be at 14 or better, like 18 or 20.