What exactly is the steer axle weight limit?

> sarcasm < You are asking people to have a paper map?> sarcasm <

 

12300. DOT gives you a 300 pound grace weight.

{A man is only as good as his word.}

 

(f) Except as provided herein, States may not enforce on the Interstate System vehicle weight limits of less than 20,000 pounds on a single axle, 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle, or the weights derived from the Bridge Formula, up to a maximum of 80,000 pounds, including all enforcement tolerances. States may not limit tire loads to less than 500 pounds per inch of tire or tread width, except that such limits may not be applied to tires on the steering axle. States may not limit steering axle weights to less than 20,000 pounds or the axle rating established by the manufacturer, whichever is lower.

 

Be safe or be sorry , pops into my head ! Most good atlas's have a section in them for weights & axle weights & even bridge laws . I always went with the :
steer - 12,000 drives - 34,000 & trailer - 34,000 = 80,000 , just because you travel many states , Interstates & US highways . This is what I do , works best for me !!

 

This is what brought me to the forum and searching and glad that I found this thread.

I have just moved to a new company that I am driving reefer with and have a 2012 Cascadia and though the loads are well below the 80,000 max, I have a hell of a time to get the steers below 12,000 with a full load of fuel. The truck has an APU on it and we are running teams so there is added weight to the truck from that.

Glad I found this and have learned much on the new tractors. As we continue to add more and more to the trucks for EPA emissions, larger fuel tanks, DEF tanks, teams, and we put more stuff in the cabs and sleepers to live, the weight goes up and up.

Thanks much for your help.

 

Whatever your steer tires are rated for. Most of them are 14, 000

 

My fifth wheel is set to where the kingpin is almost dead center between the drive axles. I'm always knocking on 12,000 lbs when I scale out. My tractor is a Volvo 780

 

If you have a tire rated for 13,000 but an exile for 12,000 is that legal?

 

In that case, you would be limited to 12,000.

The limit is ALWAYS the lesser of tire capacity, axle capacity, or weight allowed per legislation (consult RM Motor Carriers' Atlas for federal vs. state/provincial limits).

 

Your steer weight limit is 20,000 or whatever the weight rating of the steer axle and tires can support. My steer axle is 12 700 bob tail empty