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Post by Dave Schultz on Jan 27, 2011 17:43:35 GMT -5
I gave up my CDL license in 1978 and the last time I pulled into a chicken coop (do they still even call them that?) was 1975 -- an era for some reason that is a little foggy for me. Anyway, Dallas and I are in the process of getting our CDL, licenses, the proper over-length permits, and generally trying to get legal to drive the rig in all of the states we have to drive through.  The below is a scale ticket for the rig above -- loaded with all of the stuff we take to the track.  OK -- I know I need to trim about 500 pounds from the trailer as it has three 7000# axles -- but how do I figure out what the legal weight over the steering axle of a 2009 Freightliner Coronado with a Detroit, and the twin rear axles? |
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Post by fastdiesel on Jan 27, 2011 19:03:04 GMT -5
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Ratio) tag should be on the truck door jamb. It will list the weight for each axle.
To be really legal, you need the individual weight for each axle (individual weights for the tandems). States with "bridge laws", will weigh individual axles when you begin stopping at weight stations.
What ever the data plate on the truck, and trailer is the max you can carry. Some states still limit those numbers to a lower value.
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Post by danbell on Jan 27, 2011 23:07:50 GMT -5
iF YOU USE THE MAX WEIGHT LAW,80,000,THAT'S 12,000 STEER,34,000 DRIVE,34,000 TRAILER. If you can move the hitch on the tractor foward,you could possibly move more weght off the trailer to the drive axles.
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Post by Dave Schultz on Jan 28, 2011 8:39:45 GMT -5
30,000 ball hitch welded to the frame. I'll move the spare transmission to under the motorhome, and some of the spare parts tubs to the storage under the bed. I'm more concerned about the steer axle -- as I've go no idea how to deal with that. I'll check my door jam to see what it says.
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Post by danbell on Jan 28, 2011 10:41:39 GMT -5
The only way to remove weight off steer,is move your heavier items rearward.The other option is run light on fuel.Another thing,if you have to cross a scale let Dallas drive,and you,and any other passengers walk to the rear of the home.
Now in MO,if they haven't changed the law,you could run 18,000 on steer as long as you weren't over gross.
Call a Freightliner dealer and ask what weight their steer axles are rated for,but I think that's on the door plate too..
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Post by Dave Schultz on Jan 28, 2011 10:56:04 GMT -5
  I'm reading this as being 15,660 on steering and 40000 for the pair of rear axles. About the only bigger truck than a Coronado -- is a freaking Autocar. I bought the biggest they could put a motorhome on. The Volvo and Columbia were smaller. |
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Post by danbell on Jan 28, 2011 10:59:10 GMT -5
Then by that tag you're good to go on the steer
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Post by fastdiesel on Jan 29, 2011 20:24:15 GMT -5
Lighten the trailer and you're ready to roll. I doubt you'll even get stopped at the scales. They will probably just green light you right through.....
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Post by poppaj on Jan 31, 2011 21:29:21 GMT -5
Seems like if they built the truck to your specs it would be set up to haul two cars and equipment already. I would be talking to the place that sold it.  |
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Post by Dave Schultz on Feb 1, 2011 11:53:31 GMT -5
They did build the trailer to my specs -- but then I put 1000# (including spare transmission) more parts than I planned, a big golf 4-seater golf cart instead of the pit bike, 1000# tool chest, loaded beer/water cooler... We put everything we'd have in the worst situation and then weighed it.
The 470 pounds (2.2%) overweight on the trailer axles is not a deal. I'll assume that if I got pulled over and weighed -- that the cop would be a prick for the 2.2% and I'll adjust it away. I can most likely transfer that away by lowering the hitch one click to put more weight on the coach (which is way underweight), or pull the car in front of the golf cart to transfer weight to the coach. Or I can just move the transmission and spare parts to the motorhome storage -- of which I have more than enough for.
I am willing to bet that if every one of the NSS racers here were to load their truck/motorhome and trailer with everything they take to the race, and get a scale ticket from Loves, Pilot, Flying J, Perto -- that 50% of you would be over weight for the trailer, axles, the tires you have, and or the gross vehicle weight. Think I'm wrong? Prove it with posting your scale ticket, photo of your rig, and door jam sticker.
Few non all-aluminum race trailers are legal when loaded for a race. Many have the wrong tires on them. I rather know where I stand than guess. When I weighed my '04 Ram 3500 and stacker -- I was 15,000 over weight. I would have never guessed. Bought a toter the next week.
I challenge all of y'all to post a ticket of your rig loaded for a race -- and figure out where you stand.
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Post by fastdiesel on Feb 1, 2011 18:54:20 GMT -5
My old RV is legal on GVW.
My trailer (aluminum Featherlite) is legal on GVW. We don't carry spares. Thrashing on the car is not my idea of a pleasurable weekend.
But, I'm over the maximum recommended GCVW (combined weight, RV + trailer) for the RV. The RV is only rated to tow 5,000#, as it has a 5.9 liter engine. Most Gulfstream RVs with the larger, 8.3 liter were rated to tow 10,000#. My 5.9 was factory rated at 230 horses/605 lb. ft. torque. It now puts out 325 horses and 750 lb. ft. torque. Pulling the load is not a problem, even with the "little" engine.
I'm also over length, at 70'.
All 10 tires are in good shape, and appropriately rated.
Legal? Nope! Safe? Yep!
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Post by Dave Schultz on Feb 3, 2011 11:55:53 GMT -5
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