41 Foot Mark: Where is it REALLY supposed to be?

I drive national lower-48. In my 7+ years driving I have not been ticketed in California or any other state for violation of bridge law. Because food, frozen, beer loads for the most part weigh in the range of 42K to 45K lbs., I set my bridge at 42' to 44' to dial-in my individual axle weight to 34K lbs. and less. I've entered California and crossed scales with my bridge 2' to 4' or more past the 40' mark and have never been ticketed.

When running loads up and near 80K lbs, I'm more concerned about legal weight limits on my axles than bridge law. For me, I set my bridge for legal axle weights which will give better safety in handling, safety in weight distribution of load, and proper load bearing on tires.

 

I'd say you've been fortunate. We had guys get tickets for 6 inches over, when I was with CFI.

I rarely worry about bridge law east of the MS, unless I'm in GA and have to cross the scales.

 

Don't run across I-68 in Maryland with that attitude!

 

North of the last scales on I-95 in VA, I only have to worry about being over axle. I slide it up as short as possible.

100 year old street designs/layouts and 53 footers don't mix.

 

Yeh, it's 13 feet of overhang. Not a real issue for most.

 

The easy safe answer is simple, if its legal in CA it is legal everywhere else as far as axles, weights etc...

Forty feet from the center of the king pin to the center of the rear axle. The theory of over weight is better than over lenght is because CHP, can easily spot over lenght and they need a scale for weights.

53' the mark is 2 1/2 panels from the rear of the trailer. as far as weights, 32's load nose heavy and get a scale w/axle before you puting your loaded call. And top off fuel before your Tare.

 

I drove for IWX and loaded out to 79+ regular, and had no problem loading and staying at the 40' mark. You have to start double turned (2,2,1,2) in the nose. It has to be nose heavy to scale out. I never had a problem with how it handled.

 

This is not a bridge law. It is a separate ruling for 53' trailers over and above any bridge law