What is the rationale for the Bridge Laws?

The bridge table predates the KPRA rules, which only came into play when the feds forced the states to except the longer trailers. The trailers that the KPRA rules affect are generally unable to shorten up enough that bridge law compliance becomes an issue.

So no, the states didn't worry about the bridge law when they made the KPRA laws.

 

The company i worked at. About 12 years ago. Bought 3 FLs with drop axles to haul more bio fuel. The trailers were 2 axles. The drop axle was needed to get 34k on the trailer instead of 32k.

The first one got stopped at Cajon. Had to be unloaded enough to finish the journey without the drop.

California uses short double bellies. To haul dirt.

I know they have some type of regulations that can be used for heavy haul. I think. I took part of a crane up to Wyoming while a heavy hauler hauled the machine. I don't how he did it. I heard he was still in California when I delivered my part.

 

There are bridge laws because you can't just have people building bridges all willy-nilly.

 

I will say you’re incorrect in saying that California “doesn’t use it” as you stated earlier and leave it at that. They allow drop axles, and they recognize the federal bridge laws as long as you’re under 80k gross. In the case of your previous employer 12 years ago, why didn’t they just put taller 5th wheel stands on to shift weight to the trailer axles? Surely that would’ve been cheaper than paying $10k for a lift axle on a truck? Unless something suddenly changed in CA between 2010 when your story happened and 2012 when I was out there hauling cattle. The guy I referenced from Nampa ID was out there every spring and always loaded heavy to the front and ran his axle down. His only other option would’ve been to unbolt his 5th wheel and move it back.

 

This was a good read with some good laughs too! LOL.

It helps to reread this stuff once in a while!

 

We can't all have the same experience.

But when you work for 4 companies that all say the same thing. And 1 of them that actually tried.

SHRUG

 

I never understood the reasoning of adding weight to carry a ton more . Between fuel loss extra tire wear it seems the cost benefit would be very low.. A former company I worked at run tri axles here in Canada they tried doing reloads out of Washington with them they bumped registered weight up and bought permits for WA ID after a year they gave up apparently it wasn’t worth it for a few loads a week

 

It can certainly reach a point of diminishing returns.

 

That's exactly what those 3 trucks ended up being. A total waste of money. They were sold shortly after.

Raising the 5th wheel would have allowed 2k extra. Buying the drop axle allowed 4k extra on the load. But Cajon wasn't having it.

 

I’m not saying you’re incorrect because I know a guy who did it. I’m saying you’re incorrect because you’re incorrect. They recognize the bridge law.

Weight Limitation | Caltrans