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Basic; length, height, weight etc..

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by Donati, Apr 1, 2008.

  1. Apr 1, 2008 #1
    Donati

    Donati Bobtail Member

    11
    1
    Apr 1, 2008
    Silkeborg, Denmark
    0
    Hey Guys
    Im from Europe, and have never driven a truck in the states, so im curious, and have lots of questions :)

    How wide, long and high are a standard tractor-trailer allowed to be? (you call this combo a "Semi", right?)
    Max weight? is it tractor-trailer + cargo weight, or cargo only?
    What is the legal max speed for a heavy truck?
    Are US trucks speed-limited, like Euro trucks?
    Are you required to have a Tachograph or similar device installed, or how do the authoritys control if you make the required breaks.. guessing that you have laws stating how many driving hours are allowed pr day, week, month or similar?
    That thingie on the tractor, that hooks onto the trailer, whats it called in English? Any idea if my Euro Mercedes Actros, can be hooked to a US trailer, without modifications.. same dimension connecting thingies, i mean?

    Thanks for your patience :)

    Mvh. Finn Donati
     
    Donati, Apr 1, 2008
    Donati, Apr 1, 2008
    #1
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  3. Apr 1, 2008 #2
    Markk9

    Markk9 "On your mark"

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    Nov 26, 2006
    Lehigh Valley, PA
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    Hope this help you a bit.

    Mark
     
    Markk9, Apr 1, 2008
    Markk9, Apr 1, 2008
    #2
  4. Apr 2, 2008 #3
    Lurchgs

    Lurchgs Road Train Member

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    Feb 13, 2008
    Denver, CO
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    Most 5th wheel hitches in use in the U.S. are made by these guys - or so I'm told.
     
    Lurchgs, Apr 2, 2008
    Lurchgs, Apr 2, 2008
    #3
  5. Apr 2, 2008 #4
    witchwaywest

    witchwaywest Medium Load Member

    327
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    Dec 8, 2007
    Monroe New York
    0
    Finn,A very good website in the USA is www.fmcsa.dot.gov It deals with the rules truckers and companies in the USA have to deal with to stay legal while operating a truck or owning a trucking company.Rules over here change quite often.I use this site to stay up to date on new rules or regulations.
     
    witchwaywest, Apr 2, 2008
    witchwaywest, Apr 2, 2008
    #4
  7. Apr 4, 2008 #5
    jlkklj777

    jlkklj777 20 Year Truckload Veteran

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    Oct 1, 2007
    Duncannon, Pa
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    I thought the overall length laws were rescinded under dot regs back in the late nineties. I know There are many tractor trailer combos running 75 feet and longer out there especially with some of the car hauler setups. I believe they changed the formuale and stick with trailer measurements now. For the normal interstate highway system a 53' trailer seems to be the most common now a days. I believe TX has a new 57' trailer they allow but I have not pulled 1 of them yet.

    Other than that there are state and local laws which do limit the size and length and weight as well as width on certain highways. Many of our tunnels prohibit anything wider then 96 inches and the state of Pennsylvania has in the past had many roads prohibiting anything wider than a 96 in wide vehicle.,
     
    jlkklj777, Apr 4, 2008
    jlkklj777, Apr 4, 2008
    #5
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