What exactly is the steer axle weight limit?

My last truck had 13,000 steers. I ran around the country weighing 12,800 with full tanks. Except for Oregon. Where I'd slide the 5th wheel back 2 notches.

I had a longer wheelbase truck and had to keep the trailer as close to truck as possible. Per boss's instructions. We sometimes pulled refers. The only time it got slid back was for loads longer then 52 feet. Front overhang to not have to buy permits for rear overhang if possible.

 

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/23/658.17

 

It is in the front of your atlas. Some states allow 20k on steers but you would need the correct tires and axle. Arkansas and Indiana have a 12k limit. I have never been hit for being over in those states. It is also defined as state and provincial weight limits not an interstate limit. Interstate, as someone quoted above, is 20k on any single axle.

 

Yep, covered under subsection f:

(f) Except as provided herein, States may not enforce on the Interstate System vehicle weight limits of less than 20,000 pounds on a single axle, 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle, or the weights derived from the Bridge Formula, up to a maximum of 80,000 pounds, including all enforcement tolerances.

Now if you take non interstate byways you are on your own when it comes to individual state limits.

 

I'M REVIVING IT!

But I think it's a great thread because it sheds light on how often this topic is misunderstood. I'm in CA, and very clearly, Cal Trans (Weight Limitation) states " The steering axle, however, must go by the load limit by the tire manufacturer." Just before that, it specifies that an axle can go to 20,000lbs; however, only if the tire specs allow it. Simply put, for the new guys out there, a good general rule of thumb to follow is 12+34+34. But in CA, if your truck tires (steer) allow for more, then, you are allowed more. It's good to remember that every state is different.

 

Your steer axle also has to be rated for it, not just your tires. And not every state is different, the lowest weight rating of either your axle or your tires determines how heavy you can go on the steer axle.

 

I got a 20k front axle. It’s like getting in a monster truck.

 

Lately axles have been rated for 13. Now I think they're rated for 14.

Tires will generally be rated at 6,675 I think it is.

You can haul up to 13 on the steers. Unless you're in Oregon. It's 12,250

 

A vehicle exceeds the maximum allowable weight if the loaded weight of an axle or tandem axle is in excess of that determined by the formula in the following table:

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Table I

The manufacturer’s side wall tire rating (but not to exceed 600 pounds) ´the sum of the tire widths, in inches, of the wheels of the axle or tandem axles = maximum allowable weight.

 

ORS 818.010 - Maximum allowable weight - 2017 Oregon Revised Statutes