Please help me understand being chronically overweight

Sure can. We haven't even touched on actual OS/OD regs like flags, escorts, curfews, etc.

 

I think it's pretty dumb for every state to have different regs when it comes to OS.

And who knows why oregon has lower bridge weights. And why california has small single axle double bellies. Instead of a single trailer with double axles like the rest of us.

 

You know, I finally got to see a Conestoga getting loaded at a very busy shingle yard in Kansas a couple of weeks ago. They bring trucks in a line of six and load them all as the driver sits in the cab, then you roll the outbound scale before proceeding to the securement area. Any problems with gross weight you pull back around.

Talk about a fart at a dinner party. The rest of us were loaded by the time Conestoga Calvin finally rolled his curtain to start getting loaded. By the time I had my load secured and was ready to roll he had finally pulled into the securement area to begin opening the curtain for securement. Apparently you can't roll the scales or move the truck with the curtain open, so he went through opening and closing that PITA twice.

 

I was told by a broker, he always puts load up at 48,000 to keep every body from calling on load. Most of his stuff is O/D and light. Pays good too. He really only wants the experienced O/D drivers to call.

Also them western loads for heavier than 48,000 could be for doubles or B-train configuration. (I think that is what they are called)

 

Yeah they could be. But you also have to figure that a 4 axle flat will weigh about 13k and a B train will weigh approximately 17k so in a 105,500 limit state you are not able to scale 65k.

 

Yes, Idaho, Montana an Wyoming (IIRC) now all allow 129 K loads, if you have enough axles.

 

I can't see how that would generate the effect he's looking for?

It seems more of the inexperienced operators just getting in the game would be more likely to own the lighter truck and trailer which could take 48k without issue.

It would be the more experienced o/o with the more equipped truck and 4 axle trailer or SD who would be put off... no?

When I first looked at the boards and saw that, I honestly figured it must be something like lumber where they were just counting every stick until it got to the highest possible weight under 48k (or say 4 bundles of 11,999).
I had no idea it could be thousands of pounds less.

I have had to walk away from this thread at times though because of the complexity of trying to understand it all. I guess for the person like me who is new to the business, that might weed out those who aren't as serious...
I mean, more than once I've tried to grasp all this and thought "I'll just bar tend". Logic tells me that can't be the intent of it all though.

It doesn't help that so many of the rules seem counterintuitive.
The idea that the guy with the 4 axle trailer can't take the same load as the guy with the 2 axle trailer seems nuts..over a couple thousand pounds difference in loaded weight that the additional axles must be more than making up for?

The divergence of laws between states is also a mind scrambler.
One thing that gets left out often when the experienced are trying to enlighten the novice is whether the load would require a permit if otherwise "allowed".... in this state or that. I suppose knowing that would even further complicate things though. 3 axle ok in this state without permit, but not ok in the next state unless you get a permit. As stated...bridge laws being different.

The 2nd thought that keeps coming to my head is that this should all get cleaned up somehow...on a Constitutional basis (which I will explain at some point in the future once I've compiled my thoughts).

All I can say is that I'm beyond grateful that there are resources like this where people are willing to help what in the end amounts to potential competition.
That in itself says something about the industry and those who are employed in it.

Cheers!

 

I have never seen 65k on a 53 foot van...are you sure its POUNDS even with the heaviest beer loads at 46xxx thats about max...if you run super singles you get another 2 to 3 thousand pounds more....plus you run that heavy over hills it takes forever....

Be Safe Out There


Captain Dave

 

Offered as Flatbed loads.

 

There are some states where you can permit over the 80K gross maximum. North Dakota is one I know. I think the max there is 92,000? 12-34-40 or something like that (on a split or tri-axle). My company runs there with 53-55,000 lbs loads all the time.