How do you know when your vehicle is overloaded

well, your company likely reimburses for scaling loads,which can be done at most any truck stop. if there is any doubt as to whether youre ANYWHERE near being overweight you should scale it. anything over 25,000 lbs is a good place to start for a newbie.

ive never done flatbed,but i dont know of any places that have drivers load cargo, 99% of the time the shipper will load, or it will be preloaded and youd be responsible for tarping, and securing the load and they might even help with that.. as far as dry van and loading cargo ive never loaded a trlr either, at most its "driver assist", likely all theyll have you do is verify piece count.

the weight of the stuff SHOULD be on the bill of lading as well.

 

Its on the Bill of Lading - or it should be. Add that to the empty weight of your truck and trailer.

Then go to the nearest public scale and weigh it - or plan on spending a lot of money in overweight fines.

 

Google "Right Weigh" - they have units for both tractors and trailers. When you're close to gross legal weight, you still need to scale it.

 

no. you should be able to either ask about each machine's weight, or google it via your phone, but there is no way to check weight in that manner...doesnt work...weigh it at a licensed scale.

the fine's for being overweight can be shocking depending on how poorly weight is distributed and the total weight versus what youre permitted for.

 

Google "on board scales for spring suspension", there are LOTS of places that cater to sprung big rigs. Not as cheap as the air ride gauges, which are just a glorified pressure gauge, but perfectly doable anyway.
I would honestly look for an air ride tractor, or converting the tractor to air ride. Make it a much better ride, and be able to dump the air when needed. Not to mention the ease of fitting an air gauge to it.
Most trailers have air ride, and can be fitted with a gauge no problem.
You do not need a "right weigh" etc gauge, just a pressure gauge.
I have the gauge on my RGN marked for 34,000lbs and 40,000lbs. Just scratched a line on the face of the gauge, then I can tell at a glance where my weight is. I haul permit loads, most of which are overweight too. I can go to 40,000lbs on the trailer pretty much anywhere with permits, so as long as I know I am under 40k for a permit load, or under 34k for a legal weight load, I am good to go.
Forget about Cat scales etc when doing what you are doing, as you need to know there and then if you are overweight or not don't you? Most auction places I have loaded at don't appreciate you coming back to unload part of the load.
A pair of gauges is your best bet IMHO.
Martin

 

CAT scales used to cost 8 bucks first weigh..then a 1.00 for each additional to adjust weight..they are all over the place..if you are only running locally and not going out of state across any DOT scales you'll be ok..just cat scale it..if its over..go back, have em pull one and make two trips.

Petey

 

Little out of date there......$9.50 a pop now for the first weigh.

Martin