Understanding Commercial Truck Axle Weight Limits. Tri Axle VS Tandem axle

I ramble on for a bit on how I understand the commercial truck weight axle limits that determine how much weight you can actually haul. Hope it helps you understand it more. I've asked at least 6 different commercial officers over the years and always get some variation in the rules.
This could very easily be a part 1. there's a ton of information on weights for trucks. Let me know if you want more information like this. Thanks for watching.

[@mikediehl8986]

Excellent video. The struggle is real when trying to find a truly efficient truck for business.

[@joshdorr9017]

Man.. trucking. A tandem/tri dump is necessary and I know its nice to have something nice w power. I could see you getting into an economical tractor and set of trains someday down the road. The thoughts and analysis of that option would make an interesting video. As always good work.

[@LOLO-lm7pr]

In Ontario Canada, tri axles dump trucks usually load 21 to 22 metric tonnes on a truck that weighs around 13500 kgs. Keeping under a total of 35 tonnes though 36 is the limit. Watch your tare and clean out the truck if you need to and don't let any shovel overload you, just let them know. A metric tonne is = 2000lbs. If there are load restrictions at 5 tonnes per axle, we call them half loads, which would be 10 tonnes, but keep those at 8 tonnes and you'll have no issues nor will you destroy any roads.

[@jayphillips4058]

Good vid - I'm in the process of going to a tandem truck, a single axle was all I could afford to get going, and I knew it was going to be frustrating for capacity...I'm used to 4 to 7 axle rigs when I was an employee. I'll echo the comment below, weight laws are vague and often cause for a lot of hard feelings; I've had so many weigh station conferences in numerous different trucks, and what worked fine today may not tomorrow. And @rkbrauercsllc is right..if you get stopped, likely you're writing a check - the FMCSR manual is well over 300 pages of opportunity, and, like OSHA etc., it's often the violation of the week. I've a suspicion there's a reason the rules aren't black and white. From my experience, multi-axle trucks are worth it if you're in the business of maxing day-to-day production, every single day, a dedicated rig in a dedicated hauling business. I go off-road and tight spots a lot, they don't really do it for me, in fact, I'm wondering if I'm smart to keep my little single-ax for all those times when I'm shoehorning in somewhere. I have looked/done the math on shorter wheelbase 3 axle rigs, and they don't really work for me, you still run out of weight on the back end too fast, and that pusher won't help enough. Tandem gets you there almost as fast. One other thing, and this comes from many years on a 7-axle rig; when you push the air to those helper axles to legally float a load, you take weight from where it should be (drivers/steering) to where it becomes legal (pushers, load span). It completely reconfigures the handling characteristics of the vehicle, and not necessarily for the better. Especially if you're hauling on winter roads. A legal configuration for weight limits is not always safer for the driver, his payload and oncoming traffic.

[@digger7871]

What length wheel base 3 axle truck are you figuring? I bought a cab/chassis single axle and was thinking of stretching the frame to 16' between axles and add a pusher. Still need to do some homework to see if it's worth it. Would hoping to be able to haul 14ton

[@jayphillips4058]

​@@digger7871 I wound up with a '97 Ford L8000, heavy front end so my rated GVW is 58K (40K on the rears, 18K front). 240" wheelbase, which means with 18" tires my front end will never be overloaded. With a 21.5K tare weight, I can squeeze about 26K payload and be real close to 34K on the drivers. I've hauled sand a couple times, loaded the front as heavy as possible and got almost 15K payload, drivers were at about 34.5K. I did the math on adding a pusher, in the end only buys me about another yard of material where I live. If I was hauling every day, it might be worth it, but not for a day or two a week when I'm building road or prepping flatwork. The old beast is very sound and has thrown me only a couple curves after purchase, the only downside being an 8.3 Cummins under the hood, 275hp. Great engine, but not exactly a powerhouse. At some point, there's a good chance I'll find a minty 2-axle pup for when I get longer hauls to remote work. At that point, I'll have to consider helping the thing to slow down; 8.3s are not designed to accept a Jake, so I'm investigating whether a PacBrake system is possible. Anything would help as I live in a mountainous area.

[@AngelAlpine]

Are you recording this from the International Space Station? Just kidding! Great video!

[@wesleywhittington8499]

Its not just me thanks!

[@mrcumminsforlife5943]

audio on this video is terrible

[@robpeters5204]

mr cumminsforlife sounds great to me. Maybe it's your device.

[@marciofidellesk9557]

@@robpeters5204 i agree.

[@moparna7620]

Straining to hear for sure, but the info was great.

[@leviyoung8890]

No it’s not

[@douglasframpton7154]

I was always told, in states using the bridge formula you should get a set forward front axle the idea being to get the longest wheelbase possible out of your frame. Here in Pennsylvania we have a state exemption for the triaxle allowing us 73,280 with at least 12,000 on the front and the remaining balance on the 3 axle group. This only applies to state roads. If you get on the interstate highway you must have 20,000 on the front and the balance on the rear group. in Pennsylvania we see a lot of set back front axles trying to get that much weight on the steer axle.

[@rkbrauercontractingservice2950]

First. Kyle, excellent information. (Your sound fidelity in this is a little low). I'm in the process of cost/gain of tandem vs tri-axle myself. Here in PA, we can do about 20-22 tons of capacity per tri-axle. In other states, like you're saying, Tri-axles aren't cost effective at 28,000-29,000lbs. Now, to go to the flip side, like states like Utah, they have Mega-Dumps out there with dump trailers. The saving grace for you and I with limiting bridge weights is that it kind of shapes the market for us. Ultimately, I'm looking for a Tandem Axle dump with about 400 or more hp. For anyone else looking to get into this, I think it's important to understand the motivations behind DOT/FMSCA enforcement by local municipalities. Safety is second revenue generation. Written warnings are few and far between. If you do not dot your 'I's and cross your 'T's, you're going to be paying the man. It's not innocent until proven guilty, being that if they do write you a $300 ticket for an unsecured lunch box or something that they interpret as a violation which isn't and then you fight it, you still have to take another day off to show up, and they'll only knock it down. For what it's worth, most DOT/FMSCA local officers do not understand more than 35% of the laws they are attempting to enforce. Now, don't take this as anti-law enforcement sentiment, we all have loved ones on the road and we all do not want anyone who is dangerously negligent and/or anything that is egregiously unsafe on the road, but if you know that they're looking to nail you, I know for myself that I definitely am much more studious with my pre-trip inspection.

[@connorkinney8024]

Paccar is pronounced PACK-CAR

[@ncripe3726]

interested in a tri axle. the gvwr stamped on the door jam says 60,000 but the wisconsin bridge formula says it can be 64,500.... what number do i go by??

[@demented_cycles]

60k is what you can legally weigh unless you’re registered for less

[@schnitzlercrew]

sometimes it wants to make ones self to sell......then buy..... between employees and the many laws and fees one will retire sooner then later .. (live to live not work to live if possible/stay close to those you love and those that love you). happy coffee time! a !

[@AveryExcavating]

100%

[@robpeters5204]

So much b.s with all of those numbers. Takes the fun out of driving a dumper. Lol!

[@joereiche3547]

not sure how you come up with the 39000 on the rear tri , should be 42000 or ???

[@MrBcotton86]

Some counties in Michigan only allow 26 on your drives on a tandem but you get 39 on a Tri axle so then a Tri axle is an advantage.

[@MattyMattnj1]

In NJ thats a 22 ton cap truck...

[@DrWho-xi4pz]

cant hear your mic a lil fuck up dawg

[@grizzwald1979]

Ohio .I drive a five axle not counting the front .one place will let you roll out at 76000 others it's 70000 but of your working on a state job 40 tons hell of your working for the state they always overload you .but if your on a haul out no way to weigh your load .the loader man Overloads you and wee wooooh weeeeee whooooo and poof your 10 hours out of service and the driver pays the ticket.

[@planetstar524]

Can’t hear anything, need better audio