I know we can get a ticket if we're over 80 k, but can we get a ticket if our tandems are not in the right spot?


Heard a driver say he always keeps them to the rear when going through WY and its 70 mph winds. seems like a good tip.

I tend to always have them to the front for city traffic.

Haven't had a problem yet with the scales....but sure if i've just been lucky. thanks

 

"ticket if our tandems are not in the right spot?" Yup, it's that bridge law thing. BOL

 

The location of tandems on 53' trailers is regulated to prevent excessive off-tracking while turning. This wheelbase requirement on 53' trailers often makes it difficult to stay within the maximum axle weights with heavier loads that are not distributed correctly. Enforcement of the wheelbase regulations is lax, and the laws vary from state to state. On a 53' trailer, Michigan requires a distance of 40' to 41' from the kingpin to the center of the tandem assembly. In Indiana, the distance is 40.5' or 43' depending on year trailer was made. You get the picture.

 

ZRW ---

If you get enough wind, where your tandem is won't make a bit of difference. Probably not a good idea to be moving things around once you get everything legal for the states you'll be running through.

"To the front for city traffic." Hmm . . . the more to the front they are the more overhang you have in the back.

The KP setting isn't the "bridge law" (common misconception). Check the front of your Motor Carriers Atlas for an explanation.

In California the maximum KP setting is 40 feet to the center of the rear axle. It can be less. It just can't be more, not even by a few inches. AND your drive and trailer axles still have to be under 34K. Different states measure KP settings differently.

Basically, what Larry Heyms said. Again, check your Atlas for state by state settings.

Big Diesel is right on: Kalifornia is veery strict about its KP law.

 

why yes...

you have to be within Federal Weight limits both gross and axle weights

also States have various weight limits that sometimes differ from your federal limits..

last but not least:

you have Bridge Formula

both Inner Bridge and outer Bridge

then you have kingpin laws....(which are usually Max length between kingpin and center of rear most axle.)

then other states have basic length laws which can be measured in various
ways.

then you have states that throw combination of these at you---just to keep you on your toes...Like a kingpin rule-- that keeps you from stretching out- plus a inner bridge rule -- to keep you sliding them too far forward.

AND YOU THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ABOUT HOLDING THE WHEEL. :wink:

 

In the city the concern is not about the rear overhang, it is about making the tight turns and clearing them with your rear tandems, hence having the axles all the way forward.

 

"In the city the concern is not about the rear overhang, it is about making the tight turns and clearing them with your rear tandems, hence having the axles all the way forward."

Oh. Which city?

I saw a Werner guy take out a light pole in downtown Boise. His problem was overhang (his tandem was as far forward as it would go; his reasoning was the same as yours) -- and not quite having planned his turn.

Don't ignore overhang. Turn radius isn't the only part of "tight."

 

Well that was him, He did not plan his turn.

Planning is the key word.

I know where I need to be to make any turn because I plan and use my mirrors and if still not sure I will GOAL, Get Out And Look.

Simple enough rules to remember for some people.

 

We just took delivery of nine new reefer trailers from Great Dane.

First load out the driver got a ticket in a weight station for being over 40 feet in CA.

The only hole we can use on the tandem to be legal is the number 2. I dont know if all of their new trailers are this way or not. The 53ft model we bought though is.

Needless to say they are being taken out of CA and either going back to GD or for use in another state.