weight

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by sandal0906, Mar 13, 2011.

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  1. Mar 13, 2011 #1
    sandal0906

    sandal0906 Light Load Member

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    I was never shown how to scale my truck an trailer. I know you have to keep it under 80k gross, and I believe 13k on steers, 34k on drives an 34k on tandems, but that can vary from state to state right? I pull gas tanker, so I can some what control how much goes on my drives by loading less on my first compartment. But if I fuel up, I know that increases my gross but what axle would that additonal weight go on? I have never used a CAT scale or any truckstop scale at that. Any other info or advice would be great.
     
    sandal0906, Mar 13, 2011
    sandal0906, Mar 13, 2011
    #1
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  3. Mar 13, 2011 #2
    Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    12K on steers, the drives and trailer tandems is correct. Some states do have lower or higher limits. Bridge laws are also a factor. There should be info in the front of the Trucker's Atlas on the bridge laws.
     
    Lilbit, Mar 13, 2011
    Lilbit, Mar 13, 2011
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  4. Mar 13, 2011 #3
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    12k on the front plus 34k on the drives plus 34k on the trailer tandems equal 80k.

    You will start out with an empty weight and can add the difference between that and the 80k to get the net weight you can carry.

    For truckstop scales, mostly CAT is what you will see, you position the tractor so the front is on the first pltform, the drives on the 2nd and the trailer on the one(s) after that, and it will give the weights for the steer axle, the drives, and the trailer. Those need to be at the 12/34/34, except you can be a little over on the steers in most states, as long as the weight carrying capacity of the tires isn't exceeded and the 80k gross is also not exceeded.

    You need to get figures on how much you can load in each compartment given the empty weights on your rig.
     
    25(2)+2, Mar 13, 2011
    25(2)+2, Mar 13, 2011
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  5. Mar 13, 2011 #4
    ronin

    ronin Road Train Member

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    Make sure you look at the manufacturer's decal on the doorjamb when it comes to weight allowances - don't take everything you hear as the gospel (i.e the 13k steers reference). That decal is the ONLY standard that a DOT officer will use to judge your individual truck. Check out FMCSR 658.17.
     
    ronin, Mar 13, 2011
    ronin, Mar 13, 2011
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  7. Mar 13, 2011 #5
    Firebird

    Firebird Light Load Member

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    Unless its a spread axle. Gets a little different with those.
     
    Firebird, Mar 13, 2011
    Firebird, Mar 13, 2011
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  8. Mar 13, 2011 #6
    Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    I always forget about those. I need to stop doing that too!
     
    Lilbit, Mar 13, 2011
    Lilbit, Mar 13, 2011
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  9. Mar 13, 2011 #7
    chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

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    Just a little side note if possible try to have 3/4 to full tank of fuel before going to the shipper. This way if you are overweight the shipper will have to take some product off instead of you having to run with 1/4 tank of fuel the whole way. Remember that fuel is roughly 7lbs a gallon.
     
    chompi, Mar 13, 2011
    chompi, Mar 13, 2011
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  10. Mar 13, 2011 #8
    canuck in da truck

    canuck in da truck Road Train Member

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    for when you fuel up--it really depends on the type of truck as to where your fuel tank is located--as to wether the weight is on steers or drives
    the more forward your tank is--the more on your steers---also by moving your 5th wheel you can work with the weights a bit as well
     
    canuck in da truck, Mar 13, 2011
    canuck in da truck, Mar 13, 2011
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  11. Mar 13, 2011 #9
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I only hauled bulk a short time where we weighed at the shipper. You weigh in and they figure how much you get to load at some of them. Some places did it by calculating the time to load a given amount, and others had you watch how much you put in from above the hatch.

    I never hauled fuel or compressed gasses.
     
    25(2)+2, Mar 13, 2011
    25(2)+2, Mar 13, 2011
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  12. Mar 13, 2011 #10
    Firebird

    Firebird Light Load Member

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    Spreads are fun
     
    Firebird, Mar 13, 2011
    Firebird, Mar 13, 2011
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