Two Questions

Exactly! But you also start getting hours back at the end of the 8th day, so you can keep gaining hours as you use them. It sounds confusing, but once you put it in practice it's not that hard.

Your drive time each day will vary. Most drivers I know rarely put in the full 11 hours.

 

12k is way light on your steers. Only I think one state where steer weight is 12k which is Indianana, the rest are higher, most states go by the manufactured gross weight thats printed on the side of your tire. If you frequently haul heavy loads you should know this number by heart, and also take it into consideration when purchasing steer tires. The randmcnally road atlas has all these numbers in the front of there book in an extremely easy to understand format. When over 12k on your steers check the atlas, once you know how to use it, it only takes a second.

 

yepp on dry vans and reefers if the axles are side by side the should slide, if there is a few feet between them (a spread axle) they will not move.


You dont ever have to do a 34 hour reset, you start getting your hours back after the 8th day..so you can keep going forever if you can work it out right



American Trucker

 

they can but not as often, thats why the axles are spread apart.


American Trucker

 

you can't move the axles on a spread
I dont think they make 53' spreads
There are harder to back up, which is why you'll see allot of flat bedders struggling to get into tight spots in a TS

Tires also where out faster on a spread because your dragging the front axle when you turn.

Thats about all I know about spreads....I'm sure a O/O with a spread axle reefer or a flatbedder will come along with a better answer lol




American Trucker

 

In reference to the steer tires, Interstate travel is limited to 20,000 lbs, but each state will tend to differ with you. It's a stupid rule as you can't exceed the manufacturers tire rating regardless of what laws say. Individual states have their own laws for state and local roads. The minimum is 12,000 for some states. Texas is one state that that the front steer weight is limited to the tire manufacturer rating. Most tires are classified at 6250 lbs (12,500 combined), but there are 7150 lb tires available (13,300). Heavy front end trucks like the Pete 387 have the 7150 lb tires.

Most trucks have sliding fifth wheels and sliding rear tandems on the trailer to adjust your weight. Some company with basic cheapo trucks have fixed fitth wheels that are bolted on.

There's more to it than the average person knows about. It's all about keeping the roads from deteriorating too quick from heavy weights. There are even bridge laws where your axles can only be so far apart. That way the weight is contained to the bridge supports and minimizes stress on the bridge. You deal with that and have to keep up with all the ever changing FMSCA rules... Truckers have a little smarts!