Illinois Bridge Law

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by MercySakesAlive, Jul 29, 2009.

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  1. Jul 29, 2009 #1
    MercySakesAlive

    MercySakesAlive Light Load Member

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    Hi - I'm traveling from Atlanta to Seattle at nearly 80,000 lbs. My rear tandems slid almost all the way back. Therefore, I'll get a ticket if I go through Illinois because they have certain "bridge laws" that don't allow a truck to have his tandems back a certain distance. My alternate route will take me through Mississippi and Alabama. Do they have bridge laws? Thanks. -Mercy Sakes Alive (Paul)
     
    MercySakesAlive, Jul 29, 2009
    MercySakesAlive, Jul 29, 2009
    #1
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  3. Jul 29, 2009 #2
    Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    I have never worried about the axles and their spacing in Illinois. They are concerned about the weights.

    States like Tennessee have those rules but not Illinois.

    I googled Illinois Bridge Laws and went to the link. The last page gives you the locations of the scales.

    http://www.dot.state.il.us/road/size_weight_bklt.pdf
     
    Roadmedic, Jul 29, 2009
    Roadmedic, Jul 29, 2009
    #2
    rookietrucker Thanks this.
  4. Jul 29, 2009 #3
    MercySakesAlive

    MercySakesAlive Light Load Member

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    I must be mistaken then. Yes, now that I think about it. It must be Kentucky that I have to avoid. Thanks. Well, do you know if Miss and Alabama have similar laws? Paul
     
    MercySakesAlive, Jul 29, 2009
    MercySakesAlive, Jul 29, 2009
    #3
  5. Jul 29, 2009 #4
    kelgar50

    kelgar50 Medium Load Member

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    I have never had a problem with Il for bridge laws.But the ones to watch for sure are LA and CA they will get you for bridge law.
     
    kelgar50, Jul 29, 2009
    kelgar50, Jul 29, 2009
    #4
  7. Jul 29, 2009 #5
    Biscuit75

    Biscuit75 Road Train Member

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    Bridge Law:
    Illinois.......... On trailers longer than 48' must not exceed 42' 6" from kingpin to rear axle (does not say center of axle or not)
    Mississippi and Alabama have no bridge law requirements for setting the tandems.


    It's all in the front of your Rand McNally Motor Carriers Atlas, which every truck driver should have.
     
    Biscuit75, Jul 29, 2009
    Biscuit75, Jul 29, 2009
    #5
  8. Jul 29, 2009 #6
    MercySakesAlive

    MercySakesAlive Light Load Member

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    Okay, thanks. I've got the Motor Carrier Atlas but not handy... thanks for all your help(s).
     
    MercySakesAlive, Jul 29, 2009
    MercySakesAlive, Jul 29, 2009
    #6
  9. Jul 29, 2009 #7
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    If you are all the way back on a 53 footer, that is too long, it's 42.5 feet to the middle of the rear axle group. If they don't enforce it, like many here say, then I wouldn't worry about it too much, I see 53 footers slid clear back pretty often.
     
    25(2)+2, Jul 29, 2009
    25(2)+2, Jul 29, 2009
    #7
  10. Jul 31, 2009 #8
    GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    Check with the CMV of each state to make sure. That's the only way you'll know for sure when you have it in writting from a state document. Some have bridge law and the next state is different. I've always said it should all be standard. I hauled a D-8L from OH to UT once on a triple axle trailer and had to move the dozer many times to make the weight legal on the axles. It was a real pain too because you have to chain up and tape the exhaust stack closed so it was on the scale move to the back move the dozer back on the scale more than once. It was some time ago but IIRC OH had 53,000lbs on the axles then the next state had 54,000lbs. And I was loaded right up to the max on the permit. If I didn't have all the states paperwork for info and permits I most likely would have gotten a ticket. But maybe since I was in the military pulling a military load they let it go too.
     
    GasHauler, Jul 31, 2009
    GasHauler, Jul 31, 2009
    #8
  11. Aug 1, 2009 #9
    MercySakesAlive

    MercySakesAlive Light Load Member

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    I called Illinois DOT and found out that the law says that the rear axles cannot be farther than 46.5 inches from the kingpin. You measure the rear axle set at the half way point between the two tires.
     
    MercySakesAlive, Aug 1, 2009
    MercySakesAlive, Aug 1, 2009
    #9
  12. Aug 5, 2009 #10
    phroziac

    phroziac Road Train Member

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    46.5 inches? you're pulling a 53 inch trailer now? assuming you meant feet, I don't have a trailer to measure, but isnt that either all the way back or pretty close to it with the method of measurement you mentioned?
     
    phroziac, Aug 5, 2009
    phroziac, Aug 5, 2009
    #10
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