What exactly is the steer axle weight limit?

None at all on my 2021 T880. Just has the tare weight (which is wrong) and the GVW at 53,200.

 

I didn't see this on here yet but on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways and reasonable access to them 23 CFR § 658.17 applies

So tire load per inch of tire doesn't apply to steer tires but the the tire load limits would apply. But if someone made a 1" wide tire that was rated for it you could be at 20K lbs on the steers on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways and be legal in all 50 states.

 

So basically 40k rears and a 13,200 steer if I'm reading the tag correctly?

 

Yes, that's correct.

 

I get the math, but why not some other configuration, like 20,000 and 33,200? OR 34,000 and 19,200?

 

Axle model number on the sticker shows they're 40k lb drive axles.

 

Some states go by the tire rating. For example, I run 16ply tires on my steers. Which allows 13,200 on my steers in states that use the tire rating.

 

Ok I missed that. THANKS

 

Yes, but most commercial vehicle inspectors I meet wouldn't know that. Doesn't matter since we're limited to 38K on the drivers. Funny thing is.. that truck has a 12.5K steer axle in it..

 

Last summer I got hit with a random inspection. I'd just picked up the trailer from a customer, I was empty and moving the trailer to service. The rear upper marker lights had gotten unplugged by the dock shroud and it was missing both mudflaps due to the yard jockey running the trailer up onto the curb. I told the officer I was moving under 396.7 for repairs. The officer's response was "I don't know what 396.7 means, but you don't need mudflaps and those marker lights are optional". At which point I just shut my mouth, took the clean inspection and went on my way.

The idea that law enforcement officers actually know the laws better than those who operate under those laws is ludicrous.