More Questions
 

First of all, I want to thank everyone here for being so kind and helpful for all of us newbies. I was reading the DOT CDL Manuall and got to noticeing that theres NO menton of the weight rules as in how much per axle or total weight. Can someone help me on that part?

Every state has its own wieght regs. and where you can go and cannot go.

Generally,
80,000 gross max without a permit. Pulling a tandem axle trailer - 12,000 on the steer axle; 34,000 on the drives; and 34,000 on the trailer.

Scales.
 

Anything under 20,000 lbs, thats centered fairly well in the trailer, I never bother to scale.

I say this because the average 53 foot trailer weighs pretty close to 13,000 lbs ( not including reefers).

So it would be almost technically impossible to be overweight, even on on
one set of axles.

Anything over 20,000 lbs. should be weighed to be absolutely sure. The company will reimburse you anyways.

Don't forget,..... they fine you for total weight, or being overweight on individual axles. So don't be foolish and think that your not overweight with 25,000 lbs on the trailer !!!!!!!

Alot of loads will be sealed trailers that you pick up at the yard. The bills may indicate 25,000 lbs.................................BUT WHAT IF ITS ALL IN THE NOSE OF THE TRAILER................hehehehehee.

I hope this helps. Be safe !

and you're full of fuel :shock:

Check this out maybe
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/658.htm

to scale or not to scale
 

We have to weigh every load over 34,000 lbs. I am finding if you count each hole as 300 lbs instead of like 500, it works better. I was taught to figure 500 for each hole, but a senior guy told me to count em as 300 and since i started doing that, I move it once, reweigh and I'm good to go.

I count 300 too. I remember which way to go like this: Put the wheels under the weight.

Federal law mandates the states must allow 80,000 gross on approved routes; with 12,000 steer, 34,000 tandem, and 20,000 per single. These are minimum requirements, the states may allow more. The biggest differences you'll find are on steer axle allowances.

The front of the Rand McNally atlas gives each states max. allowables for each axle on STATE roads (not part of national network). They also cover allowable lengths on non national network roads.

So THIS is why 80,000 is always "safe". Good to know. Thanks.

I used to haul paper loads big rolls and one time it was aloaded wrong my gross was 90000 lbs my permit alowed for 86000. needles to say did not take that load. scale every time.