Please help me understand being chronically overweight

Also with the different weight limits that vary per state. Some of the extra weight permits only allow you to run on the state highways, not on the interstate.
Most of the extra axle trailers are used to run heavy equipment/loads and Oversize because they ride lower to the ground.
I have a friend with a 45' triaxle step deck with a beavertail and ramps. He averaged 3pm last year. All miles.
Ramps can get you a lot of loads that pay better.

 

Then throw in California with KPRA restrictions, and it gets even more fun.

I disagree that most of the heavy loads are on lower trailers. The standard Maxi configuration (triaxle with a rear tag) simply hauls more crushed cars, more bundles of cardboard, more rebar, etc. For commodities paid by the ton, a Maxi trailer can pay off handsomely. It is a "Pacific Northwest are surrounding areas" only thing, however.

 

Now, I hate to toss a wrench into the wheels that finally got rolling well enough here.

There is three kinds of trucks I do wanna take a moment to mention.

1- Turnpike Doubles. You will find them in Ohio, NY Thruways, not sure about Indiana anymore. But most certainly NY. Those things were two 48's on ford9000's with the 400 I think they were. Ran well enough. Weights" My cosndervative estimate is 80 for the first cab and trailer and then throw in about 25 ton for the second. Call it 65 ton. I will have to break out the algebre weight scales etc etc etc and hurt myself trying to verify that.

The second is a B train for Michigan Those things are a full trailer on 5th wheel and a second trailer with a triple axle on the first trailer's 5th wheel. Weights approach 150 ton if not actually.. er 160+ if the scales were closed. I made it my life not to interfere with the B trains in Michigan but so many people have been stupid around them and died or maimed beyond being useful citizen anymore.

Third is Rocky Mountain double. I rolled with these in the area of Sheridan WY from Montana west from time to time during two winters, and found them to be really good comparison to the Michigan B trains if not actually BETTER on split ice in those days. Weights? Well I don't know because in that part of the rockies one weight is too much for another part.