Looking for help from you Professionals for best routes to take hauling a heavy load

Not really in the wrong forum but the hotshotters have similar trucks and can better relate to driving experiences .
The more info you give the better advice you will get.
What has your experience been with scales ? Do you have DOT inspections on the truck and trailer ? It may be an issue if states consider you commercial . If you make money selling or breeding horses you are commercial.

 

I am not considered commercial, my kids kids run barrel horses and trail ride so we make no living off off of the horses. I checked with my state because I ended up having to get 36k plate due trailer weight. We pull out if state about twice a year.
I did forget to answer your question from earlier... I do have a type of jake break on my truck. It is not an air brake, which I would love to have, but the chip in the truck down shifts on its own if an incline is detected. Helps out some times. Annoying at others.
I would love to upgrade to the next class of truck for these excursions, but hard to justify for just 2 trips a year. It would make the trip much easier and I would not have to worry as much about the roads and terrain.
I appreciate the info everyone has given me. You guys do this for a living and you know the highways and terrain very well. Hard to get that from satellite images.

 

if you check with the different state DOT offices, they list all the current road construction projects and their detours if there are any.

http://www.modot.mo.gov/plansandprojects/index.htm


Here's an interactive map for you for Missouri.
http://maps.modot.mo.gov/timi/index.html?district=SOUTHEAST


Just examples of what's available to people. Most states have this same type of information.

 

Take 55 to memphis and get off on Lamar / 78 exit. Traffic sucks on 78 until out of Memphis. Stay on it to Birmingham. Get on 20 to ATL. Since your not commercial don't worry about scales. I wouldn't. Also since your not commercial I don't believe you have to go the bypass loop around ATL but it would probably be easier.


Sent from somewhere out there on the road.

 

Thanks everyone

 

If you can calculate your fuel stops this will help find the cheapest fuel . Not all locations will be easy to get into with your trailer . Unfortunately their trip cost calculator does not include diesel models . http://gasbuddy.com/index.aspx?fuel=D
Most travel centers also sell a pocket fuel guide for around $5 .

 

I wouldn't get near atlanta,

if you don't have to............

Have fun !

 

Rick,
thanks for your info. I have decidedto take 55 to 78. I have the xtra time and don't really want to hit monteagle at midnight. I have a gas buddy app on my phone that tells me cheapest fuel. The way my truck runs I only get about 350 miles to a fuel up. Thanks agin for your help
k

 

Sorry, I forgot about this thread. You can go that route. It's a lot flatter terrain. You still have Memphis to deal with. Not a biggie if you avoid rush hour. That goes with any large city just like St. Louis.

The Memphis route is 119 miles further and about 1.5 extra hours. You still have big rolling hills south bound out of St. Louis. You also have one big hill to climb leaving Birmingham, AL.

When you leave AR and cross the metal bridge into TN, make sure you are in the right lane. The exit is right after the bridge to follow the interstate. Sharp curve too. Take it real slow.

The other route has a lot more hills but nothing real bad except Monteagle Mtn. about 1.5 hours the other side of Nashville which is mainly downhill on the east bound side.

If you are worried about your weight, take the Memphis route. Atlanta is not bad if you avoid the rush hour. I'm use to it though. You can even leave Birmingham on US280 to Columbus, GA and catch US80 over to destination and avoid Atlanta. Still a little climb out of Birmingham. There's a small mountain range that runs the east side of Birmingham. Nothing major.