Bridge Laws - Good Tips

I recall Kentucky allowing really high weights on certain bridges for coal and other purposes. But that was a very long time ago.

The midatlantic we were surrounded by small roads with about a 73 thousand something max and it's just no way.

The only time or three I can recall having trouble with local "Fiefdom" would have been on a old stone bridge on old US 15 north of Mansassas. They slapped a really light weight on there one day long ago and I crossed it full up under the eyes of a glowering steaming trooper.

I was reduced to pathetic babbling in a few minutes trying to explain away the few barn sized signs on that side of the bridge.

A big concrete span (Relatively...) replaced it soon after. I guess in say about 40 more years depending on the strength of the concrete and rebar vs water, expansion etc we might have to revisit that issue.

If all the bridges. The one most abused was the old US 340 bridge just west of Harpers Ferry WVA. That one stood with weight restrictions for a very long time. Considering the trucking that crossed that vibrating span all those years it's a wonder we did not drop the #### thing. They replaced it eventually.

My last trip across with a 18 wheeler loaded to 80000 was a day I wont forget. It did not just shake but also sort of rolled a little bit or leaned I guess is the word here and there on certain spots. And here comes a full up lumber stack flatbed aiming to pass me right on that bad spot. I wanted off there so bad. Thinking about 160000 pounds at about say 80 mph hitting that one spot. (Closure rate)

 

One would think if someone were to make an “instructional” video they would actually know what the hell they are talking about. This kind of crap just keeps breeding ignorance and confusing those who do not know the difference between BF/BL and KPRA. With all due respect to the OP, he bit the worm too.

 

There are set laws regarding size and weight on Interstate and National Network routes. KPRA regs really don’t have anything to do with size or weight. I don’t see how it’s a cash grab when it’s the drivers duty to know what the regs are for dragging a trailer over 48ft into a particular state. It’s no different than when I have to know what I can bridge on my axle groups in the NW and what I have to do differently when I cross the Canadian border. You can’t just drive blind and hope for mercy.

 

I don’t run 80k. I max out at 102k for Canada.

 

What's so difficult?
1. Still cannot exceed 23m total length.
2. As tractor wheelbase increases, trailer wheelbase must decrease an equal amount.
3. Still do not bust the trailer 35% overhang rule.

 

I gross 88k legally in my mixer with 6 axles.

We have 7 axles ones too that go to almost 100k. I don’t want one though. My truck is already annoying enough to turn right corners with.

I know downtown Minneapolis doesn’t let you weigh more than 80k though which is lame because we do probably 1000 yards of concrete a day just in downtown with 3/4 load instead of full.

 

Or you could just avoid all the bridges