Weight on the drives

Yes, but OP's reason for moving it was for weight issues, not clearance issues.

 

I guess there's some validity to needing to move it back one notch (500lbs off the steers) if you hit the buffet particularly hard and often, or perhaps have your wife / girlfriend ride along from time to time.

 

Wrong there Bucky.

I have a $1100 fine that one of my drivers got thinking exactly that.

Here is the correct info.

The states allow up to 20k but no matter what the axle rating and tire rating determines what the max weight is, that would mean the lesser rating is what is the rating is, no more.

I have a few trucks running 15k and 18k steer axles and don't have issues with states, I have problems with idiots who think they can stick the wrong tires on them but not the states.

 

I know better than to say that. I don't know what I was thinking.

But it still answers the problem. Drivers think that 12,000 steer axle is sacrosanct when it isn't. Most of those states aren't going to come out and look at your sidewalls for load rating, nor will they look at your door jamb for axle rating. 12,500 will be fine in 46 out of 48 states, and even in IN, I got a clean bill of health at 12,350.

 

FWIW - MS, LA, and IN limit steer axle weights to 12,000 on state and county roads according to my 3 year old motor carrier atlas

 

Good recovery!

You are absolutely correct. Folks are taught in school and mega trainers that 12K/34K/34K are the absolute limits. You can definitely have more on any of those axles AS LONG AS THE TIRES AND AXLES ARE RATED FOR IT.

For newer drivers, look at your tires on the steers. There should be a weight rating. If you can't find it, then Google the tire spec. Note that the amount of weight that tire can legally support is by how much psi the tires are inflated to. Usually 120 psi will get to maximum load limit, but you wouldn't want to run that all the time.

Next, look in your driver's door jam. There will be stickers with your VIN number, rear axle ratio, and axle weight ratings.

As previously noted, the LESSER OF any component will result in the final rating. You could have steer axles rated for 15K, but if you put tires on those axles that can only handle 12K, then 12K is your limit. Putting 15K tires on a 12K axle only gives you 12K.

 

Only on a LRH tire. LRG max pressure is (IIRC...i don't run them) is 110.

 

When I bought my truck, inside drive rims were steal and outside ones aluminum. And when I bought the trailer it was same story. Is there reason for it other then making it looks nicer at dealership? I'm trying to decrease the weight and was wondering if I should bother with rims.

 

I’ve heard steel and aluminum wheels should not be mated but not surprised it happens. Cheap out anywhere and everywhere for many.