maximum weight per axle?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Pop, May 25, 2013.

  1. BigX72

    BigX72 Light Load Member

    12k 34k 34k.
     
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  3. jorlee

    jorlee Light Load Member

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    Feb 17, 2007
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    Are you wanting the max weight for the vehicle you are driving, or for roads your are driving on?

    What does your door sticker say?

    What width size tires do you have? How many tires per axle?

    Where do you plan on driving?

    What is your axle spacings front to rear?

    Why did you leave out so much information? ;)
     
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  4. Working Class Patriot

    Working Class Patriot Road Train Member

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    Wherever and Whenever...
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    An ODOT told me this in regard to spreads with the Gross at 80K on the Decal.....

    "Treat your trailer like it was Tandem instead of a Spread"......


    I was nailed for for being 350 over-axle on my way out at Ashland one day.....A rarity since the S/B coop is usually "Dark".....I was legal on the gross...but my rear axle was bit heavy according to the DOT.....
     
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  5. Pop

    Pop Light Load Member

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    Jan 19, 2012
    Garnerville, New York
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    Ha Ha! sherlock510; This is the first job I got after tractor trailer school. The school pretty much taught me a lot of stuff but didn't teach us anything about the axle weights. I didn't go to any type of finishing school from one of the big carriers, I found a local job that gets me home nightly and weekends off. So as much as I would have enjoyed spending time and learning with an experienced driver trainer from some place like TMC, I'm working and learning on my own, but with the help from all the pros here on this website. I have made a couple of mistakes, mostly stuff like dropping a pallet or two from the flatbed, while unloading it with the Moffit, but nothing serious so far. My driving is good, the instructor at the school I attended was great and placed a lot of emphasis on the safety issues while driving. I went to 2 different schools. The 1st just had me driving for 30 hours. I wasn't satisfied with that, so I attended a second school where I was offered 160 hours of training, but they didn't rush you outta the school, they let you take your time. I spent a total of 450 hours at the second school and passed my road test with a score of 15. In New York your allowed up to 50 points on the road test and you still pass. So far I'm still in the lead between all the friends I made while at school.
    So with a bit of help from all the pro's here and the safe driving practices I learnt from my instructor, I'm hoping to be a responsible and safe driver, cus I have already seen some crazy stuff out there. Mostly from the 4 wheeler's!!!!
     
  6. Pop

    Pop Light Load Member

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    Jan 19, 2012
    Garnerville, New York
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    I'm hoping the 12k 34k 34k suggestion will be sufficient. I'm asking because I'm trying to load a driver profile into my navigation unit so I can track my HOS. I am still learning, I'm a new driver and am trying to do things the safe and right way.
     
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  7. Pop

    Pop Light Load Member

    65
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    Jan 19, 2012
    Garnerville, New York
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    Yeah thanks!
     
  8. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Baltimore, MD
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    Don't go by what's on the sticker inside the door, unless that number is LESS than what's allowed by your state. But usually that's not the case.

    Steer axles vary widely by state. MD, for instance, goes by what your tires are rated for.

    You can only gross 80k if you have 51' from the center of your steer axle to your rear trailer axle. This is called "outside bridge". You can only total 68k on your drive and trailer axles if you have 36' from your front drive axle to your rear trailer axle. This is called "inside bridge". Of course that's assuming you have 5 axles.

    Spread axle trailers are subject to the Bridge Formula. You can only have 40k on your trailer spread if you have 10' of spread, and it reduces 1k per foot as you shrink that distance.

    Here is a link to the Bridge Formula. If you pull shorter trailers like dumps or 20' containers you need to be mindful of this.

    http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/Freight/publications/brdg_frm_wghts/index.htm
     
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  9. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Dec 18, 2011
    Michigan
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    Your truck should have a breakdown of each component on it, with the weight ratings.

    Example today I drove a T800 with 18k steers, 2 24k drives, two lift axles which are rated at 25k and one lift rated at 16k.

    The original axle rates are on the OEM sticker and the upfitter put a sticker that showed the lift axle ratings.
     
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  10. Oversizeload

    Oversizeload <strong>"Weight Limit"</strong>

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    Sep 21, 2007
    Columbus, Ohio
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    Hmm I have 13k on my steers empty..... Guess I drive a illegal truck.
     
  11. TheSpecialist

    TheSpecialist Bobtail Member

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    Dec 9, 2017
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    I'm at a total loss right now. How on earth does someone even touch a Semi without knowing Axle Weight Limits?

    If you're experienced then you should definitely know better!

    And if you're right out of school just getting your CDL and/or in Training then it should be very fresh on your mind but your Trainers job is also to help you!

    Now, I can understand if you're studying to get your CDL but even then you should have a Study Book already which covers every single detail.

    This just can't be a serious question. Those who've given answers are just as guilty for giving in to this whether it is or isn't a serious question.

    My guess is this is someone who either is joking around to see how many fall for it or this person has no care to know what his job requirements are so he depends on others. And if he is already a driver then I hope he was at home asking this because if not then that means there's not enough intelligence there to ask another trucker to his left or right whereas he should be parked while typing otherwise he's TEXTING & DRIVING which is worst than any of the above.

    I'm not saying any of this to be negative and I'm sure some are going to try and attack me for this but before you do think very long and hard while using common sense about what I've said. This doesn't take rocket science to figure out. It's Common Sense though Common Sense does seem to be a dying ability these days.

    C'mon people and help keep these roads safe!
     
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