700lbs over, what should I do

Winner. Run with it. Hes nor even going to show up on weigh station radar.

 

I'm regularly 12,300 to 12,400 on my steers. 12.8k axle, 16k springs, and tires are rated 14.3k or so. I've had DOT check the sidewall of the tires once while on the portables...but once he saw I was within their rating, he never said a word about it.

12/34/34 is a general rule of thumb. The 12 is because if you're 34 on the trailer and drives, that only leaves 12 for the steers. You can have 20k on a single axle, and there is nothing specific in the federal regs pertaining to steer axle weight, so as long as the tires, suspension, and axle are all rated for it, you can run 20k on the steer. There might be a state or two with a lower rating for the steer, but generally they are based upon the rating of the equipment, or the width of the tire, or some combination thereof.

If you're getting that sort of weight upon the steer with the 5th wheel all of the way back AND your drives are legal, I'd be curious what your steer weight is with an empty trailer. I'm guessing it's not much (if any) less, because with the 5th wheel all of the way back, you aren't putting much weight on the steers as you load. That being the case, I'm pretty sure the axle, suspension, and tires will likely have a rating somewhat above 12k. Check the plate on the inside of the driver's door, as well as the sidewall of the tires.

 

Most states allow 12,500 on steers with the right tire code on the sidewall like (H) rating

 

Sneak it through at night.

 

Depends on how bad you need the job. I would tell them no. DOT doesn't care about your employer or the shipper. You are driving the truck. You get the ticket.

 

12k lbs is NOT the legal limit on steer axles. The legal limit is the lesser of tire rating and axle rating.

 

Don't over think it.
If you're not overgross.. and it's just 12.7 on steers w less than 34 on the others...

GO !!

 

For the most part, yes. However there are a few states that do limit steer to 12,000 on non-interstate roads.