Explanation about weight needed

Most reefer load tenders are less than 44k. With some exceptions that usually aren't worth hauling (relatively cheap rates). For example beverages, bulk produce. They'll tender 45k or even a little more, then try to load even more. Problem with loading right up to capacity is when you're near or over the gross weight limit, you run out of headroom to get the axle groups right by moving the trailer tandem or fifth wheel. So let's work with 44k.

Most states have a GVW limit of 80k. There are some that are higher. You can look that up yourself. Let's go with 80k, the greatest weight that works in the most states. Take away the cargo weight and that leaves you with 36k for truck and trailer. A brand new reefer trailer, unless a rarely specified lightweight configuration, usually weighs just under 15k.

Take that away and you have 21k left for the truck. Both truck and trailer have fuel tanks. Diesel weighs about 7.1 lb/gal. Most reefer trailers will be equipped with a 50 gal tank, so there's 350 more lb on the trailer. Trucks are all over the place, anywhere from 50-300 gal. On late model, fuel efficient trucks, most are spec'd with 150-200 gal capacity. 200 gallons adds another 1,420 lb to the truck.

Take that away, and you're left with a max truck weight of 19,000 lb, assuming you weigh about 200 lb and carry 300 lb of crap in your cab. That is, to haul a 15k trailer with 44k inside and everything full of fuel. If you want all the comforts of home in there, it will cost you with added weight. If you want a heavier truck, that's ok. You just need to load less cargo, which will limit you with running heavier load tenders.

To complicate things, you can run low fuel to keep weight off the steer and drive axles for a load that's just a little too heavy. Some states have different or no kingpin to axle group regulation. In other words, with some experience there are some tricks to getting where you need to go and not be in violation doing it. If you buy a heavier truck, you'll need to get familiar with those tricks.

if you have a VIN number, you can get the dry weight of any truck or trailer from the dealer's service department. Keep in mind that's as assembled, the day it left the factory. Any modifications, such as a diesel APU, extra batteries, crash bars and so on, will increase that.

A note about steer axle capacity. Some 2010-14 and most 2015 and newer emissions trucks will have a 13k steer, some even 14k, to carry the extra weight of the emissions equipment or possibly larger fuel tanks. You still have to stay under the 80k GVW limit, so that extra 1,000 on the steer must be taken into account by limiting the sum of the other two tandem groups an equal amount.

One more thing. Bridge law and kingpin to axle group are two different things. Bridge law speaks to how close together axle groups can be, kingpin to axle group length limits how far apart they are. It's still possible to violate bridge law if you have a really short wheel base tractor hauling a 48 or shorter trailer loaded nose heavy to the max. Most modern 200"+ wheelbase sleeper trucks with a 53 reefer will never be close to exceeding bridge weights.

 

It's not seasonal. The catch-22 is that FL is a stickler on 41' kingpin to axle group. Next time you roll through a FL weigh station, observe the little markers near the curb every 10' as you approach the platform. They can spot the violation from the booth even if the lasers a mile up the road failed to measure you.

Well that, and GA and AL have 34k limits. So it only helps for intrastate loads staying in FL. Or loading in FL a multi stop and having a first drop in FL that solves the overweight before you leave FL.

 

Yes that's it the only exception in some states is you can carry more weight with either tri - axles or quads. The key is to keep the total weight to 80 000 lb or less < otherwise you will be forced to unload freight, provided it stays under 80 000 if its a little over on either the drives or the rear axles on the trailer you can just slide the axles to alter the weights. I found on average you move about 400 lb per hole when you slide the back axles and move the trailer forward so if you weighted about 34 800 lb on the back axles sliding the trailer forward 2 holes would transfer about 800 lb to the drives just making your weights on the back axles legal. Just be aware that it does vary and pays to re-weigh your trailer once you've adjusted your axles. I got caught out once with a load of Brazilian sugar going to from Elizabeth NJ to Denver CO my back axles were about 1000 lb over the total weight was still under 80 000 so i thought I'd allow about 250 lb per hole and slide it forward about 5 holes, unbeknownst to me it worked out at around 450 per hole so instead of transferring 1000 lb I'd actually transferred about 2250 lb to the drives, to make matters worse I never bothered re-weighing the trailer, everything was fine heading west till I got to the Indiana border and the POE just happened to be open, fortunately I was able to talk my way out of it and got off with the officer allowing me to slide my axles back a couple of holes.

 

When purchasing a truck that has a 13,200 front axle, make sure you also have steer tires rated for H, G steer tires only can handle around 12,300 lbs and scales can write tickets for steering weight over that without the heavier rated tires.

 

Whoever is selling the truck should know what it weighs
If not. See if they can get it scaled but you should be able to get the specs like wheelbase, single or dual drive tires etc and someone here may have the same set up
There’s only so many variables to any specific rig that will fluctuate the weight enough to make a huge difference
Length. Bunk size. Fuel capacity. Motor. Etc

 

don’t know why anyone would go with a 14 ply steer to begin with

 

Because fleets and owner operators that do that think the $25 per tire they saved is some kind of windfall, as they're swapping them out twice as often due to minor pothole or curb strikes.

 

We already have someone named @Midwest Trucker.....you couldn't find another handle?

 

I told him in the other thread that my lawyers were going to be in touch and I wanted 50k for damages. It seems he doesn’t scare easily.

 

Ma used to say, imitation is the greatest form of flattery..