Truck Driving Jobs

Malaki86 · #1 03-03-2007, 01:34 PM

Ok - this is one that I just don't understand...

My tractor and trailer average about 34k empty. This has always been the norm. I have a mid-roof Volvo 660 and we pull 53' dry vans.

When I scaled my load out before I started down the road, all of the weights were normal for what we pull (43k load, gross about 77k).

When I was scaled out after unloading, my truck was showing an empty weight of 41k. I thought this was odd, but figured the receivers scale was messed up.

My next load required a Cat scale of my empty and loaded. My empty weight from the Cat scale was also 41k.

As far as fuel, I was topped off each time I scaled.

So, the question is, what would make one trailer 7k pounds heavier than any other in our fleet? It's a 2006 Wabash (spring axle) and I see absolutely nothing different in it from any other trailer I've pulled.

Fozzy · #2 03-03-2007, 01:51 PM

Maybe is made of steel rather than Aluminum???? Heck, that would be really odd. a few hundred pounds maybe.. but 7000???

Jack_07 · #3 03-03-2007, 02:07 PM

you gotta make the heavy passenger walk while ur weiging the truck.

Malaki86 · #4 03-03-2007, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack_07

you gotta make the heavy passenger walk while ur weiging the truck.

HAHAAHAHA - or maybe (since I'm alone in the truck) I should stay away from the buffet for a couple of days.

Mr. Ford95 · #5 03-03-2007, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack_07

you gotta make the heavy passenger walk while ur weiging the truck.

My dad was telling me that a former Southland Corp team had to do just that when they were coming up on scales. They would slow down enough to not look like it was on purpose and the guy would jump out real quick and meet his partner on the other side where they couldn't see them. When they first started teaming, they kept getting popped for being slightly over on the drives so they tried it one time and then continued doing it. The guy was at least 350 but closer to 400.

tweety bird · #6 03-04-2007, 01:10 AM

We have a dedicated trailer but sometimes we swap out- it's not a dry box so things are a little different.

Some ideas that come off the top of my head are cross members- one trailer may have significatntly more cross members. One may have steel vs. the other aluminum. Aluminum rims vs. steel rims. One may have a thicker/heavier flooring.

It doesn't seem like that would make up 7000 lbs. Different manufacturers may have different qualities/weights of metal on their trailers. A cheaply made trailer may weigh significantly less than a really sturdy one.

??

Jack_07 · #7 03-04-2007, 01:58 AM

well ummm my first thought on this is how much dope is hiding in that trailer.

Jack_07 · #8 03-04-2007, 02:03 AM

my second thought is how much stuff do you have in the truck, I have honestly never seen the combination that you describe weigh that much.
An empty weight of around 34000 or less is normal.

or it could you could be hauling to much sail boat fuel. that stuffs kinda heavy hehe

Malaki86 · #9 03-04-2007, 12:34 PM

Unless my bag of clothes, a few boxes of snack cakes, a small cooler with a 12 pack of coke and my laptop has gained a *LOT* of weight, I doubt that's the case.

It just boggles my mind is all...

thebaldeagle655 · #10 03-04-2007, 02:06 PM

Had my girlfriend ridding along on the last trip, normal empty rate 31800, was loaded with 47600. When I crossed the scale, 1/2 full of fuel no less, I weighed in at 80440. Girlfriend still is mad, I had her get out on the next run across the scale and we weighed in ok. She doesn't know I kicked the ice off the mudflaps and from under the frame first!

DOT let me go through since it was ice weight.

Now to try and make up for the girlfriend!