weight question?

is gross not just your drives it makes your Limit 80,450lbs or something like that, allot of trucks with APU's have that writtin right on the APU on a big red sticker




American Trucker

 

Federally (on the defense highway network) there is a 400 pound allowance for gross, tandem, axle and bridge weights.
Follow the link below and scroll down to subsection (n)

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=658.17

Here is the text of just the subsection in case the link doesn't work for you.

(n) Any vehicle subject to this subpart that utilizes an auxiliary power or idle reduction technology unit in order to promote reduction of fuel use and emissions because of engine idling, may be allowed up to an additional 400 lbs. total in gross, axle, tandem, or bridge formula weight limits.
(n)(1) To be eligible for this exception, the operator of the vehicle must be able to prove:
(n)(1)(i) By written certification, the weight of the APU; and
(n)(1)(ii) By demonstration or certification, that the idle reduction technology is fully functional at all times.
(n)(2) Certification of the weight of the APU must be available to law enforcement officers if the vehicle is found in violation of applicable weight laws. The additional weight allowed cannot exceed 400 lbs. or the weight certified, whichever is less.

Now the bad news. The Federal Highway Administration has stated that 49CFR658.17 does not preempt state regulations or compel the states to grant the increased weight tolerance. As of July 2008 22 states had enacted laws to allow the additional weight for APU's.

Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.

So, I guess this was a long-winded way to tell you that the answer to your question lies in researching the weight laws in each of the states in which you operate...unless someone on this forum has an up-to-date list for us.

 

Here we go. A pretty informative article on the topic published by OOIDA
http://www.ooida.com/Education&BusinessTools/Trucking_Info/Vehicle_weight_exemptions_for_APUs.shtml