What does 30k+ gross weight FEEL like?

30,000? Not much with a 18 wheeler. Actually too light sometimes depending on what's what. (Ice, rain etc) Even stopping as we are discussing in another thread.

Now throw in a large pickup truck dually? That 30K is going to be pretty heavy. You will know you are loaded when you try to get moving. It literally have a behavior and you better have good brakes, tires, steering etc etc etc. basically if you can have a gross combination vehicle weight rating of 30K and beyond towards the 40's you are good. If you try to do this with a 1/4 ton truck and it's GVWR is not sufficient, its going to break it. GVWR is on the plate on your door and in your owners manual.

30K is pretty heavy in a dually. But pretty light in a big truck that wants 80K or more.

 

I'm 19k lbs all the time in an F550 w/no trailer. Handles just like a pickup. As long as you leave proper following distances because the braking is not as good as a car, its all good.

 

It's really depends on how your equipment is spec'd out. Number of axles, positioning of axles, gearing, etc. we don't run tuners, or delete anything on our trucks, we're 100% stock from the factory. We run at and above 30k gross with some loads and our equipment handles it great, no issues. And as far as how it feels taking off, we can walk off and leave most semi trucks on a mountain grade.

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Positioning of, and the types of freight can make a big difference also. I use to do a lot of oversized loads, heavy equipment, etc with my semi trucks. I remember moving loads that were top heavy side heavy. Oh man what a ride on some of those loads. Felt like you were gonna tip over just pulling out the Shippers driveway. And if you happen to get a piece of freight, or load that feels unsafe it may just be that they lied about the weight of it. If you don't feel comfortable going out the driveway tell them To unload it. A lot of drivers will risk pulling a load that doesn't feel safe because they don't want to lose out on the money that the load is paying. It's not worth the risk.

Don't be afraid to ask the Broker or Shipper for exact weight, and demensions of a piece of freight, or load before you commit. I even have them send me pictures before I'll commit a truck to odd load.

 

It's difficult sometimes to smile and compliment you on loads well done with these rigs. I don't think that small. No offense. But I can tell when a load is riding correct and secured really good considering the challenges. Well done sir!

 

Haha, thanks. the Independent Owner Operators I work with, some are new to this business and some have experience. Regardless, with us building, and booking every load they haul, I personally advise them on load placement, and how to tie it down, if needed. Every Owner Operator I work with texts, or emails me a picture of the load after it's been tied down, and before it leaves the shipper. This way if I spot something wrong with load placement or securement I can talk to them about it and help them get it squared away before they hit the road.

Overweight tickets, damaged cargo claims are pretty much non existent within our group of Independent Hotshot Owner Operators.

 

30k gross really isn't much weight at all. My dually and trailer are close to 20k empty. I haul 15-20k on the trailer fairly regularly and it handles fine. I have electric over hydraulic brakes on the trailer though. They help a lot.

 

This last week I have hauled three loads between 32-35k. I have a 16 dually and electric trailer brakes on a Big Tex. The flats around Colorado feel fine just slower. Up and over Eisenhower and Vail pass you can definitely feel the weight accelerating and stopping. I will not do more thank 15k in cargo. For me it's not worth it.