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Apu exemption

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by dboot01, Feb 28, 2026.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Feb 28, 2026 #1
    dboot01

    dboot01 Light Load Member

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    Does it apply to total gross weight? My company wants me to pull a load that weighs 80,300 pounds. I think its a little shady but I do have an apu. Can I get away with it?
     
    dboot01, Feb 28, 2026
    dboot01, Feb 28, 2026
    #1
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  3. Feb 28, 2026 #2
    Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

    22,719
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    Dec 18, 2011
    Michigan
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    Does the load weight >80k or the total weight with truck is >80k?
     
    Ridgeline, Feb 28, 2026
    Ridgeline, Feb 28, 2026
    #2
  4. Feb 28, 2026 #3
    dboot01

    dboot01 Light Load Member

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    Nov 8, 2021
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    With truck
    Steers 12,740
    Drives 33, 900
    Tandems 33, 640
    Total 80, 280
     
    dboot01, Feb 28, 2026
    dboot01, Feb 28, 2026
    #3
    tscottme Thanks this.
  5. Feb 28, 2026 #4
    dboot01

    dboot01 Light Load Member

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    Aren't steers max at 12.5?
     
    dboot01, Feb 28, 2026
    dboot01, Feb 28, 2026
    #4
  7. Feb 28, 2026 #5
    bad-luck

    bad-luck Road Train Member

    3,426
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    Nov 16, 2013
    Baltimore, Maryland
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    I under federal law if you have an APU you are legally allowed to have a gross weight of 80,550.

    There are states that don't recognize the federal law. Here is a list:
    APU Weight Exemption Guide by State | Track Your Truck
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2026
    bad-luck, Feb 28, 2026
    bad-luck, Feb 28, 2026
    #5
    Toomanybikes, silverspur, Bean Jr. and 7 others Thank this.
  8. Feb 28, 2026 #6
    TurkeyCreekJackJohnson

    TurkeyCreekJackJohnson Medium Load Member

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    Feb 7, 2024
    South Western US
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    Depends on the axle and the tire width/size. It's in the atlas with all bridge formula info.
     
    TurkeyCreekJackJohnson, Feb 28, 2026
    TurkeyCreekJackJohnson, Feb 28, 2026
    #6
    drvrtech77, Trucker61016 and hope not dumb twucker Thank this.
  9. Feb 28, 2026 #7
    Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    Mar 4, 2015
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    No. Your max is either tire rating or axle rating, whatever is lower.
     
    Long FLD, Feb 28, 2026
    Long FLD, Feb 28, 2026
    #7
    Toomanybikes, Bean Jr., Rugerfan and 2 others Thank this.
  10. Feb 28, 2026 #8
    bad-luck

    bad-luck Road Train Member

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    Nov 16, 2013
    Baltimore, Maryland
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    Some states differ. Maryland goes by the tire rating not the axle rating. For this reason I always run 16 ply tires on my steers, so I am allowed 13,200
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2026
    bad-luck, Feb 28, 2026
    bad-luck, Feb 28, 2026
    #8
    Albertaflatbed, Arctic_fox and hope not dumb twucker Thank this.
  11. Feb 28, 2026 #9
    nextgentrucker

    nextgentrucker Road Train Member

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    Port Saint Lucie, Fl
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    What's the point of federal laws if states are gonna ignore them and do whatever the hell they want? This is crazy... SMDH.
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2026
    nextgentrucker, Feb 28, 2026
    nextgentrucker, Feb 28, 2026
    #9
    dboot01 Thanks this.
  12. Feb 28, 2026 #10
    dboot01

    dboot01 Light Load Member

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    Nov 8, 2021
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    That's why I don't want to take the load. Even if I have apu exemption. It gives dot a reason to harass me about anything else
     
    dboot01, Feb 28, 2026
    dboot01, Feb 28, 2026
    #10
    silverspur and nextgentrucker Thank this.
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