Um, I hate to tell you this after all your hard work... Sliding the trailer tandems back, adds weight to the front of the trailer, not subtracts. More weight on the nose equals more weight the truck has to spread across its axles. Besides, the 12000 lb steer limit is not an enforced regulation. The Feds said 20000, and if states try to enforce the 12000 rule, they would lose their federal road funds. Arkansas tried to do it a few summers ago, but gave in to the feds after a few weeks. Even Cali doesn't enforce it, which is odd considering they came up with the 40' bridge just to find a reason to give you a weight ticket. My truck has a fixed 5th wheel (because my company hires steering wheel holders instead of drivers, and they have no idea what to do with a sliding 5th wheel) and I have an APU right behind the right fuel tank. The result...I am regularly over 12000, sometimes as high as 12800 or 12900(depending on fuel) and no one has touched me... I know, the trucks axles are a 12000 limit as well, but I found in one of my previous owners manuals, a 12000 steer axle is actually capable of safely carrying 13500, just not recommended on a regular basis without destroying the king pins and bearings thus voiding the guarantee. And if KLLM uses the same tires we do, you aren't over the load range on a single. So they can't get you that way either. I just pay attention to the gross, and to the tandems and in 15 years I have never ever gotten a steer axle ticket. The only reason I see a sliding 5th wheel now a days is for the ride clyde, not for the weight nate. Or unless you're one of those drivers trying to save fuel by squeezing every 10th of a mpg you can and run you trailer as close to your truck as possible to eliminate the gap between.
Whoo hoo, good luck to you. Now if there was only a way for your old new truck to be assigned to my hubby.
Awesome. I look forward to hearing what you learn and reading about your new experiences as a lease operator. Andrew
I had a similar incident a few years ago....nice to see another women out there who knows how to get the job done no matter what!! KUDOS....
Rt I've been reading your post here and very impresssed with your efforts. I would like to ask you a ? I will be finshing school in about 2 1/2 weeks and I have been pre-approved for KLLM but now I'm being told there orentation is on hold. Could you find out any more info on this and let me know. Thanks
OK RT69, How's your first day in Jackson? I can't wait for my shoulder to heal so I can get back to jackson and get a truck and get rolling!!...........TJ
Orientation is still being held every two weeks. We rae not hiring experienced drivers but we are still hiring students. RT
Was a long day but we picked out our trucks and got our new numbers for them. Have a whole list of things to do tomorrow. The trucks this time around are a little higher mileage than what they usually lease out so to make things fair they discounted the trucks. This means my truck, with an APU has a total payment of less than $300/wk. Cool beans! I'm wiped so I'm off to bed. I'll update more tomorrow RT
