Need advice on an overweight issue.

These are border line do-able loads. 47,000 in a dry van probably not do-able. I drive a WesternStar with a dry van. I can handle 45,500lbs. Don't like those loads but do-able. Are you pulling a dry van? You say it is liquid. Is it a tanker? One more Question, Where in Indiana are you? I live in Bloomington. You did the right thing by talking to your safety director.

 

if you dont cross scales dont worry about it....

I routinely run 85000-90000 and dont cross scales on my trips, so I dont worry about it.

I did a few legal loads when needing o run scales and lost 10-20% of my physical capacity due to not being able to carry more.

I haul cars and with a 47000lb empty weight, 4 chrysler pacifica and 3 chrysler 300(8cyl) scales out at 78000. I could fit 2 more like cars, or 3 more if they were all chrysler 300's.

the most I have scaled was 92000lbs. with 10 vehicles. most were mercedes SUV's.


K

 

danc694u is absolutely correct - and that's not exactly different anywhere, or in other careers either. Either pull it or pull out for somewhere different.

Scale your loads so you know where you're at.

If you're within say 400 - 500 pounds of being legal, don't sweat it.

Otherwise, make sure you have a CB and ask whether the scalehouse is open before you get there. Closed is no sweat... open - well, you're going to need to know how to go around, or wait for them to close.

Either that or find another job in a time of few jobs and too many unemployed drivers. Good luck!

 

I wouldn't do this. The main reason I wouldn't is if i was involved in an accident. Say someone ran a red light you slam on your brakes but cant stop in time and the person in the other car dies. They investigate and find out you are overweight and you spend the next 20 years in jail for vehicular manslaughter eventho the accident wasnt your fault.

 

Then your option is down to changing jobs. As employment stands, complaining will just mark you as "disgruntled," and set you up to be fired.

 

The next time ask for written authorization from safety to haul a illegal load with names, dates and signature of the safety department manager. You will never get this document because the company wants to blame you the driver. But fair warning even if you get this document you, the driver, are responsible for your equipment. If you have a serious accident while pulling a illegal load, you will be the one going to jail, not them, no matter how many documents you have signed. Best advise is get another job as soon as possible. These trucking heroes, nice way of saying ignorant drivers, that run illegal have killed many of innocent drivers. And before anyone jumps on my case, I was once a trucking hero until a friend spend 3 years in prison for a fatality accident while over weight, brakes out of adjustment and a illegal log book. Is three years in prison worth any load? It would never happen to you, right?

 

If you say you're over , you're over but my usual load with a tank is 45,000 lbs. and I'm only grossing about 77 ,000 even with a ful tank of fuel . I have had 2 shippers offload a couple of hundered gallons off tanks when I was over 80,000 lbs. scaling out . If you have to run Illinois heavy go ahead and cross the scales . They'll make your carrier send somebody to pump off enough to make you legal .

 

Exactly !
The OP agreed to work for that Company for its offered wage by signing the application.
Do the job with whatever it takes to do the job,whether its hot or heavy just move the load and do it as safe as possible.

Why does "every" thread always contain the "chicken little" accident commentary ?
If your gonna crash,YOUR GONNA crash !
The way the system is the Driver WILL be held accountable one way or another.

 

So why did you include my post with your little insult? I suggested the guy should either run the load or quit.