Weight limits

I am pulling a 48' step deck with a tri axle on the rear. The center axle can lift and it becomes the same as a 10'2 spread axle.

Even with the 3rd axle,. I am still limited to 80,000 lb gross limit. The trailer is just heavy as my other trailer that is only has 2 axles in a 10'2 spread arrangement. The only advantage is that in some states where I would normally be limited to 40k lbs on the 10'2 spread,.. (I'm not 100% on the law here) but some states allow up to 41,500 or 42,500 on a tri axle. Its a useless setup for what I do.

I'm sure there are other advantages to the tri axle. I am no expert on the subject.

Hurst

 

Hey Dye, can you tell them your age and explain the axle weights of the b train in your neck of the woods?

 

Its cool to see rigs from all over US/Canada. I've never seen a Super B with tag axles before.

 

The main thing for my neck of the woods is permitted weight over legal. On a tri axle I can permit 60k when legal weight is 42k.

In Montana you can go to 130k gross if you have the axles before needing a permit.

 

How much an extra axle can carry depends on the state.

The theory goes the more axles you have the more the weight is spread out and the less the ground contact load. The lower the the load per a square inch and the more it is is spread out the less damage the truck will do to the road and bridges. Hence, some federal engineers came up with the bridge law to formulate a consistency to allowable load limits for truck configurations.

The big problem with that is not all roads are in the scope of the federal government. In fact none of them were before the federal interstates. So, when the government tried to institute some standards to trucking, trucking companies lobbied to grandfather in some of the individual states rules. So like everything else in trucking we got a hodge-podge of rules that I am sure every truck driver understands and is familiar with.

Some states go by the federal bridge law. Some states make up their own law. Most states cap the maximum gross weight, some don't. Some take the federal maximum of 80k others use 84k, 105.5k, 117k, 129k, 160k Some allow different limits on state roads verses interstates. Almost all limit trailer length but that length varies and so does the gross weight it can handle. Almost all tax the load differently and what permits are needed for the extra weight all varies.

So study up truck driver. Buy separate truck and trailer for every state and region, so you can maximize your load efficiency and value to the the customer.

 

We call them Michigan lifts/Michigan B-trains. We only use them there.

 

YOU guys amaze me.. wish I would've started on this 'heavy' road when I was young. Still love reading and learning. Six needs to write a book and retire... as has been previously stated. Good day, be safe guys.

 

Well Six, my age is 21 and axle weights with B-trains in Ontario are as follows...

Drives - 40,000 lbs
Tridem - 53,000 lbs
Tandem - 40,000 lbs

Maximum gross weight of 140,000 lbs or 63,500 kgs.

 

#####. . . 21 and wiser than my 54~! I lost that video of the Truck that pulled you over the cusp of the hill; can you please re post ? ? ? Or . . . the link to such? Thanks man, kudos...for sure.

 

I thought I was the youngest one here