Gross Axle Weight Rating

No. Bridge law restricts what you can carry on an axle group. Most states are only 34000 on the drives. If your state allows/permits more then you should verify that and feel lucky.

 

The higher the axle weight rating, the stronger the axle is. You still have to obey the weight limits stated in the regulations of the province(s) or state(s) you operate in. A lot of trucks that see moderate off road driving will pretty much always run 46k rears out this way. They still can only legally scale 37,500 though without permits.

 

The maximum legal loading is the lesser of:

• axle manufacturer's rating
• tire manufacturer's rating
  • as printed on the sidewall*
  • width times jurisdictional weight limit
• jurisdictional limits

Most steer axles in Canada are rated for at least 12,500 lbs because the 5,500 kg "normal" maximum is actually 12,125 lbs. Even if your axle is only rated at 12,000 lbs you will likely never get a second look unless you are over that. Be aware though, that 12,000 lbs is actually only 5,443 kg.

Steer axle limits in most states are actually 20,000 lbs, but that is dependant on the axle and tires also meeting or exceeding that rating. Many jurisdictions don't specify steer axle limits, but do specify single axle limits.

Yes, you are allowed a "nominal" 37,500 lbs (17,000 kg) on a qualifying tandem in Canada. That is reduced to a "nominal" of 34,000 lbs in the U.S. I say "nominal" because the actual amounts vary according to road type--federal (interstate--only in the U.S.) or provincial/state--and jurisdiction. We have no federal road network in Canada (nor bridge law), so the limits are all set by the provinces and actually vary from 17,000 kg to 19,100 kg (42,107 lbs). In the U.S. it varies from 34,000 lbs to 44,000 lbs.

The "normal" loading that is accepted for OTR is;
Canada:

• steer 5,500 kg
• tandems 17,000 kg
• maximum 39,500 kg**

U.S.

• steer 12,000 lbs
• tandems 34,000 lbs
• maximum 80,000 lbs

Whatever the maximum axle ratings are, never exceed the gross for the vehicle combination.

*Tire ratings. All manufacturers publish tables stating what their tires are rated to carry based on air pressure in the tire and whether they are in single or dual configuration. The rating on the sidewall is the maximum allowed at the maximum cold pressure--also printed on the sidewall. Most people; drivers, mechanics, managers, confuse the maximum pressure with the recommended pressure for a given rating. When you review the table for a specific tire you will often see that the manufacturer's recommended pressure is well below what the truck owner/operator may deem appropriate.

**You almost never see a tractor licensed for only 39,500 kg in Canada due to the considerable use of tridem axle trailers (axle rating 24,000 kg), pushing the gross to 46,500 kg.

 

Oh, and let's throw a wrench in not4hire's comment, in Colorado and Wyoming, as long as you stay under 80,000 GVW, you can legally gross 36,000 on your drives and/or trailer tandems.

 

Unless he has a 10 foot trailer spread to which he can go 20,ooo per axle. 40,000 on the axle set. In the states.

 

First you were taught to shift, then you were taught how to back up. Legal axle weights and how to load a trailer legally should be taught next.
Tandem axle dual tire configuration, keep the load to 1000 lb per foot of trailer, but no more than 48,000 lb payload and you should be OK.
Tri-axle dual tire configuration can be 1000 lb for the first 27' of trailer then you can up to 1200 lb for the last 26', but you must be registered for at least 46,500kg gross weight.
All of this is considering you have proper tires and axles for the job.

 

It comes more into play when you are moving a non divisible over weight item. Montana will let you go to 47k on a tandem depending on the spread. 54" you get less weight than a 60".

 

Dont forget Fla. 44k lbs is perfectly legal on trailer tandems.

Hurst