Weight on the drives

For me, and with full fuel tanks, I will seek a position that puts me in the 12,000-12,500 range when the drives are registering 34,000. Seems scale guys are much more apt to overlook 500 pounds over on the steer axle then they are on trailer or tractor tandems. In-road weight detectors, don't see 12,500 as a problem as much as they will detect 34,500 (>17,000/axle) as a problem worth looking closer at. Going a bit heavy on the steer gives you some fudge room and makes things a bit easier where gross weight is not the concern. Don't forget, use weight with FULL tanks to get your baseline. Trucks will spread fuel weight anywhere from about 40/60, 60/40, or 50/50 depending on tank location(s)

Once you find this sweet spot, forget about it. Only reason you'd want to change the 5th wheel is if you changed the fuel tanks configuration or added/subtracted some other significant weight profile changes to the tractor, or gained a WHOLE LOT of weight after years at the buffet.

 

What is your front axle rated at? What are the tires rated at

You want the 5th wheel as far forward as possible and still be under axle and tire ratings. That will give you better handling, better ride, better fuel economy and will make it easier to scale out.

 

With all the set back axles on trucks these days, most chicken coops will let you go to 12,500 on your steers. It used to be called the 5% rule.

Your best bet is to set your 5th for 12 on the steers (unless you have a set back axle). Do this with full tanks, otherwise you could go way over one time by not thinking ahead.

The reason why it's good to max the weight on your steers is because it leaves you with some room to play with your other axles.

 

Wrong wrong wrong! Look at the front of your motor carrier atlas. Most states (32) allow 20,000 lbs front axle, regardless of the tire or axle rating. Several have a formula so many pounds per inch of thread width and 2 states (MS & IN) only allow 12,000 lbs regardless of tire and axle rating. In 46 out of 48 states, you are not over weight at 12,500 lbs

 

Set it where you don't have to move it.

I have a fixed 5th wheel. It's positioned to where I have 11500 on the steers with half tanks (150g) and 34K on the drives. I can scale 45K in the box with that setup. More if I carry less fuel.

 

You might want to check your info. I doubt ANY state will allow you to overload your equipment ratings. Try rolling across a scale in any of those "32 states" with 16-18K on your steer and LP22.5 LRG tires and a 12K axle and see if they let you leave.

 

I never understood why more people don't do it that way. Set it so you hit legal weight on drives and steer at the same time and just leave the darn thing alone.

 

Good idea, for some. Some trucks that position might be close enough to cause issues on tight turns, and flat beds may need to move it back to have front overhang clearance.