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What is steer axle weight limit drive axle weight limit trailer axle weight limit on a semi?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
A general rule of thumb for a five axle unit conducting interstate travel is 80,000 lbs. gross, with a max of 34,000 per set of tandems (provided there is a bridge of at least 35 feet between the drive and trailer axles), and 12,000 lbs. on the steer axle. While it doesn't change what you can gross overall, a trailer with a ten foot spread axle is allowed 40,000 lbs. total on the trailer axles (but no more than 20,000 on each axle), and you can actually go up to 20,000 lbs. on your steer - IF you have an axle and tires rated for that kind of weight. Typically, only vocational trucks and heavy haulers do, while most highway trucks will run 285s or 295s on their steers, with a rating of 12,300 to 13,000 lbs.
For intrastate travel, several states have higher weight limits grandfathered in, and those weight limits will vary between those states, and will also be determined by wheelbase of the vehicle and whether it is traveling on primary or secondary roads.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
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Short of reload what can be done if the trailer is overweight in the tail?
If you can slide your tandems back without going past the 41' bridge limit (or 40' limit for loads in or going to California), and you have room to add weight to your drive tires, sliding your tandems back will transfer weight from your trailer axles to your drive axles. You can also side your fifth wheel back (if so equipped with a sliding fifth wheel) to transfer weight from your steer axle to your drive axle, or forward to transfer weight from your drive axles to your steer axle.
Short of a reload what can be done if a trailer is overweight in the tail?
If you can slide your tandems back without going past the 41' bridge limit (or 40' limit for loads in or going to California), and you have room to add weight to your drive tires, sliding your tandems back will transfer weight from your trailer axles to your drive axles. You can also side your fifth wheel back (if so equipped with a sliding fifth wheel) to transfer weight from your steer axle to your drive axle, or forward to transfer weight from your drive axles to your steer axle.
Short of a reload what can be done if the trailer is overweight in the tail?
If you can slide your tandems back without going past the 41' bridge limit (or 40' limit for loads in or going to California), and you have room to add weight to your drive tires, sliding your tandems back will transfer weight from your trailer axles to your drive axles. You can also side your fifth wheel back (if so equipped with a sliding fifth wheel) to transfer weight from your steer axle to your drive axle, or forward to transfer weight from your drive axles to your steer axle.
How do you adjust the weight between each tractor trailer axle?
If you have a sliding fifth wheel, you can transfer weight from the drive axles to the steer axle by sliding it forward, or you can transfer weight from the steer axle to the drive axles by sliding it back. If you have sliding tandems on your trailer, you can transfer weight from the drive axles to the trailer axles by sliding the trailer axles forward, or you can transfer weight from the trailer axles to the drive axles by sliding the tandem axles back. If you don't have these options, you have to readjust your load.
How do you scale out a semi truck and trailer for axel weight?
If you're on a scale which only provides a gross weight, you stop with just the drive axle on the scale and write down that weight. Then you pull forward until your drive axles are on the scale. Write down the total weight of the steer and drive axles... subtract the steer axle weight from the combined weight of the steer and drive axles, and you'll have your weight on your drives. Then you pull forward until all axles are on the scale. That'll be your gross weight. Subtract the combined weight of the drives and steer from that, and you'll have your trailer axle weight.This is basic truck driving stuff.
How do you move weight on semi trailer?
The question's a bit vague. If you're referring to distributing weight once you're loaded, it depends on what your trailer has for axles. If you have fixed tandems or a fixed spread axle, you would have to move the load itself. If you have sliding tandems, you can move them forward to shift weight from the drive axles to the trailer axles, or you can move them back to shift weight from the trailer axles to the drive axles. If you have a sliding fifth wheel, you can move that forward to shift weight from the drive axles to the steer axle, or you can move it back to shift weight from the steer axle to the drive axles.
What Can Be Done If A Trailer Is Overweight In The Tail short of a reload?
If you can slide your tandems back without going past the 41' bridge limit (or 40' limit for loads in or going to California), and you have room to add weight to your drive tires, sliding your tandems back will transfer weight from your trailer axles to your drive axles. You can also side your fifth wheel back (if so equipped with a sliding fifth wheel) to transfer weight from your steer axle to your drive axle, or forward to transfer weight from your drive axles to your steer axle.
How do you figure axle weight on semi truck?
You take it to a scale and weigh it out. If you don't have something available like a Cat scale, which can give individual weights for each group of axles, you drive until the steer axle is on the scale, and get a weight reading from that. Then you pull forward until your drive axles are on the scale, and get a reading from that. Subtract the weight reading you got from your steer axle, and you've got the weight for your drive axles. Then you pull completely forward, until your trailer axles are on the scale, as well. At this point, you'll have your total weight. Subtract the previous weights (steer plus drive axle weights), and you'll have your trailer axle weight.
How do you figure axel weight on a semi truck?
Well, you either go to a CAT scale, which weighs each groups of axles separately, or, if you're on a scale which only shows gross weight, then you axle out. You drive onto the scale and stop with only your steer axle on the scale. Then you write down that weight, and pull forward until your drive and steer axles are both on the scale. Then you write down that weight, and subtract the weight of your steer axle to get the weight on your drive axles. Then you pull forward until all axles are on the scale. This will be your gross weight, and you subtract the weight you got when you had the drive and steer axles on the scale in order to get the weight on your trailer axles.
What is the math formula for transferring weights on axles of a semi and trailer?
Math formula? If you have a sliding fifth wheel and sliding tandems, then you move them as needed to get yourself legal... moving trailer tandems forwards takes weight off of the drive axles and transfers it to the trailer axles... moving trailer tandems back takes weight off the trailer axles and transfers it to the drive axles. Sliding a fifth wheel to the rear takes weight off your steer axle and transfers it to the drive axles... sliding a fifth wheel to the front takes weight off of your drive axles and transfers it to the steer axle. If you can't manipulate your weight this way, and be within bridge formula, then you either have it reloaded/have something taken off of the load, or you dodge the scalehouses and hope that you don't run into portable scales.
Is it illegal to plug a semi truck drive tire?
No, you can plug a drive or trailer tire - you just can't plug a steer tire or use recaps on the steer axle.
How do you know about a truck's axle ratio weight distribution?
Well, once you get loaded and if the customer has a scale, you simply use that scale. Since most scales found at a customer only take an overall gross weight, you have to axle out. You roll your steer axle onto the scale and stop. Then you read off what your weight is with just the steer axle. Then you pull forward until your drive axles are on the scale, and stop again. The weight you have now is the combined weight of all the axles on the power unit - subtract your previous weight from your steer axle from that, and you have your drive axle weights. Then you pull forward until all axles are on the scale. Subtract the weight you got with just the steer and drive axles on the scale from the gross weight, and you've got your trailer axle weights.
