Energy policy act - MAP-21 Question.

LMGTFY

 

Well it is a gross exemption not spread over axles and you would be advise not to think that you can add 400/550 lbs to the gross, just keep things on the light side.

However the exemption isn't a mandate and it has to be accepted by the states, which it isn't in all the states. The best little chart I've seen is this -
APU Weight Exemption Guide By State

and it will show that California doesn't allow the exemption.

So pretty much it is a useless thing.

 

Plus the weight is up to 400lbs. That sticker on your door jam gives the actual weight of the apu on your vehicle. That is the max allowance (or 400lbs, the lower one.)

Like Ridgeline said. It's mostly pointless.

 

No.

34000 on a set of two axles tandem. Or a 10 foot spread axle trailer can carry 20K per axle total 40K.

Your gross is 80000 hard stop.

Do not try to make a living based on exceptions. It will royally bite you bad.

 

It's 400 lb. not 550. the extra weight can be spread over any set of axles as long as the extra weight doesn't exceed 400 lb combined over all axles. for example 34,200 on your drives and 34,200 on your tandems. and the 400 exemption can be used even if you're not over gross. for example, yesterday I picked up a load in ohio thats going to california and with the tandems at the 40 foot mark my tandems weighed 34,380 and my gross was only 77900, but because I have an APU that 380 lb over on my tandems were perfectly legal. and to boot over all the years I've been driving I've never had an issue if I was only a couple hundred pounds over, a DOT officers got to be a real dick to mess with you over such a small amount over.

 

Well I don't know what is going on, but all the DOT people gave me a hard time over a few hundred over axle here and there. Most of my life anyway...

 

There are three methods of exemption:

1. None
2. Legislative
3. Enforcement policy

And two exemptions:

1. 400 lbs
2. 550 lbs

Because the exemption is merely suggested by the FHWA and not mandated, the exemption is up to each state. In order to be one hundred percent certain, you will need to read each state's legislation or policy. However, I am comfortable saying the following (based on a sample of state legislation/policies, of which, Wisconsin's is posted below):

• The exemption applies to gross weight
• The exemption applies to any/all axles in any combination (of the tractor)
• The exemption is the lesser of:
  • The stated exemption allowance
  • The APU actual weight
  • The maximum weights allowed by installed components (i.e., axles, tires, etc.)

348.15  Weight limitations on class “A" highways.

(f)
1. In this paragraph:

a. “Heavy-duty vehicle" has the meaning given in 42 USC 16104 (a) (4).
b. “Idle reduction technology" has the meaning given in 42 USC 16104 (a) (5).
​

2. Notwithstanding pars. (a) to (c) and (g), sub. (4), and ss. 348.17 and 349.16, and subject to subd. 3., in the case of a heavy-duty vehicle equipped with idle reduction technology, the gross weight of the vehicle, and the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle or axle group of the vehicle, may exceed the applicable weight limitation specified in pars. (a) to (c) or (g) or posted as provided in s. 348.17 (1) by not more than 400 pounds or the weight of the idle reduction technology, whichever is less.

3. This paragraph applies only if the heavy-duty vehicle operator, upon request, proves, by written certification, the weight of the idle reduction technology and, by demonstration or certification, that the idle reduction technology is fully functional at all times​

Wisconsin Legislature: 348.15​