And This Is Why You Pay Attention

No it was a Kraft Foods preloaded that went to IL if I remember correctly. The load was about 41k but they put it in the wrong trailer. We have a regular trailer (good ones) and then we have trailers that start with an R in the trailer number. Those trailers weigh a lot more and have twice bigger reefer fuel tank.

I almost did it with this load. It is over 45,000 pounds.

First weigh...Steer = 11,160 Drives=35,000 Tandems=32,900

Reweigh....Steer=11,300 Drives=33,200 Tandems=34,620

Second Reweigh...Steer=11,540 Drives=34,100 Tandems=33,440

I decided that it was good enough. If I adjusted it again, I wod probably be overweight on the trailer tandems. Luckily, all the scales were closed.

Dave

Hey Dave, I'm still going thru Brett's course, but could you just briefly explain about the three weights that you quoted above? I've wondered how they weighed you, you know, all the axles and stuff, guess this is just ANOTHER thing I didn't know about and still have to learn...Mike

Hey Dave, I'm still going thru Brett's course, but could you just briefly explain about the three weights that you quoted above? I've wondered how they weighed you, you know, all the axles and stuff, guess this is just ANOTHER thing I didn't know about and still have to learn...Mike

I can help you out Mike.

When you scale out a truck, the scales will break your weight down into 4 weights - your steer axle, your drive axles (the two axles at the back of the tractor), your trailer axles, and your total weight (known as Gross Weight). Not only does the truck need to be under the Gross Weight limits, but your axle sets also need to be under the maximum weight so that your truck is balanced properly. It wouldn't be safe to have say 45,000 pounds on your tractor axles and only 15,000 pounds on your trailer axles. You get into a pile of safety issues if that were to happen. So you have to be under the maximum gross weight and under the maximum axle weights.

The normal weight maximums are:

Steer axle: 12,000 lbs

Drive Axles: 34,000 lbs

Trailer Tandem Axles: 34,000 lbs

Gross weight: 80,000 lbs

Now there are some exceptions to understand, but you'll learn that in the Weight And Balance section of the High Road Training Program so I won't go into a ton of detail here.

But that's the basics of scaling a truck.

Steer axle? Is the max based on tire rating? I had a heavy load and when axleing out my steer was just below the 12k, I think it had to do with how the trailer was loaded. If I was over the 12k I'm not sure what I would of done.

Steve, you didn't mention your fifth wheel. Normally you would slide your fifth wheel or don't take on any fuel until you've cleared the hen house. Worst case scenario is go back to the shipper with your scale ticket and get them to rearrange your load so it's better balanced.

Steer axle? Is the max based on tire rating? I had a heavy load and when axleing out my steer was just below the 12k, I think it had to do with how the trailer was loaded. If I was over the 12k I'm not sure what I would of done.

Ahhhh good question about the tire rating. Some states allow more than 12,000 on the steer axle, but you can only carry enough weight to stay within the load rating of the steer tires. Most companies have steer tires that are rated somewhere around 6000 pounds so even if you're in a state that allows 20,000 on the steers you can't legally do it with those tires.

So in the end, the maximum weight you can have on your steer axle will depend upon the load rating of your steer tires and the legal limits set by the state you're in.

And so everyone knows, all of this is covered extensively in the Weight & Balance section of the High Road Training Program

I do not have a slidding 5th wheel. What I'm understanding then is the 12,000 is the limit in almost all cases.

Yes that's true. In the front section of your Rand Mcnally Atlas it shows the different states limits, but just like your question your tires will limit you to what they are designed for. Just because a state allows you 20,000 lbs. doesn't mean they won't write you a ticket if your tires aren't designed for that kind of weight.