gcvwr of single axle trucks

4010 puller

Well-known Member
Hey guys:

I know most tandem axle semi trucks and trailers (18 wheelers) the gvw is 80,000 lbs for going across the scales, not necessarily the manufacturers truck/trailer gvw.

What is the max rating for a single axle semi pulling a tandem axle trailer (14 wheeler)?
 
There are some state variations: however: 66,000 is accepted everywhere. 72,000 with a spread-axle trailer.
 
IIRC the Fed DOT rule is:

12,000lbs per steer axle
20,000lbs per single axle
34,000lbs per tandem axle

Just so you can figure it out yourself in the future.
 
No more than the manufacturers gvw for each axle but under 80k.

Assuming you have a 12k steer and 3 20k axles, theoretically 72k gross.

The standard in the industry for 18 wheelers is no more than 12k steer, 34k on drive tandems, and 34k on trailer tandems. This keeps you at 80k or less and your pretty much legal in all states provided your bridge length is correct for the states your running in.

I know Florida wants you under 80k and no more than manufacturers gvw for each axle. As an example you can run 40k on trailer tandems

The correct answer is for you to get on the DOT website and research it for yourself.

DOT recently inspected me, no violations found, 1st time I've ever had an officer check the manufactures data plate in truck and then check each tire to make sure it was rated for the correct weight. Fortunately my tire guy put the correct tires on as it never occurred to me to pay attention to that.
 
there is a federal bridge formula adopted by many states and it is dependent on the axle spacings for allowable weight on a bridge---longer axle spacing= higher allowable loads
 
States set weight laws.

The feds say they must allow 12k on steer; 20k on a single axle; and 34k on tandem axle; on the federal highway system.

Any thing above this or off the federal highway system and it is up to the state.

Here is Louisiana law
Interstate
single axle 20000
tandem axle 34000
gross 80000

non interstate
single axle 22000
tandem axle 37000
gross 80000

You need to be long enough to meet bridge law.
Tires need to be wide enough to carry only 650 lbs per inch width.
 
Doubt you knew so many answers for a simple question. All accurate for their situation and more possible. Welcome to the world of trucking.
 
(quoted from post at 14:25:11 12/10/14) Doubt you knew so many answers for a simple question. All accurate for their situation and more possible. Welcome to the world of trucking.

Except that it appears that tandem should be replaced with dual.
 
The feds relaxed the steer axle weight. You can run up to 20,000 on federal highways and interstates without permits except in Arkansas, where they grandfathered in the 12,000. As long as you have enough tire for the weight.

I was still with Schneider at the time so it was prior to 2005. Our permit books instantly got 49 pages lighter.

Didn't change the max allowable gross weight.
 

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