Weight Distribution

Hadn't pulled tanker in forever, I figured everyone had switched to metered loading by now. But been there, done that, way back when!

 

HUH, who has 14000lb steers on a highway truck.

There are a few trucks that do, but by far most are at 12,000 with 12,350 rated tires.

Then you have tire width as a limiting factor. With 275/80r22.5 tires and 600lbs/in limit for steers, you can only scale 13,000lbs on the steer axle.

 

The 600 lbs / inch is a state issue, not federal.

But you're right in that outside of carhaul and heavy haul, you're not likely to see the heavier front axles on road trucks. Fairly common in the vocational markets, though.

 

Almost every new carhauler on the road has a 14,600 front axle and steer tires that allow it. Many standard OTR rigs are coming out with 13,000 or better to accommodate heavier front axle loads due to the extra weight of the newer engines. Check your door jam for your steer axle rating and then your tires and you will know what you can scale up front.

 

I meant to quote the OP, not you. Since he was the one with the original question.

 

Did you have any issues with your phone on the cat scale app? I haven't tried it lately, but I couldn't get mine to work correctly the times I tried it.

 

All weight laws are both a federal and state issue. States were forced to adopt federal guidelines. However many state and local weight laws were grandfathered in. The 600lbs/inch steer and 500lbs/inch otherwise are an example of that: Federal guidelines with grandfathered exceptions greater for many states.

Ok OP was talking about a 'sliding fifth wheel' which pretty much defines fleet spec. highway truck. I am well aware of vocational and carhaul exceptions, I am sure the OP is talking about fleet spec linehaul.

Almost all, with few exceptions, are 12,000 rated front axle. Some with Meritors, and the newer Dana/spicer/eaton are rated at 12,500. Dana just uprated their 12,000lb axle to 12,500 recently. Newer trucks indicate that on the door tag. Your stuck at 12,000 if you have an older dog.

 

Quick search of W9's on the truck paper shows front axles at 13,200. My point was to let those who thought all OTR trucks were still legally only allowed to carry 12,000lbs up front, check their individual truck. Maybe they may be allowed to carry more on their rig.