AUX. AXELS

The Gibster

Expert Expediter
My wife and I recently had a load into Vicksburg, Miss. I drove during the day and as my wife finished out the run, with routing that would of taken us accross LA she encountered an 18 wheeler that guided her thru a series of back roads to avoid a specific weigh scale.

The kind senior driver had ran the local run he was on for the past decade and strongly advised my wife to avoid the specific scale we were destined for. His comment was "They will find SOMETHING wrong with your truck or paperwork - guaranteed!"

I don't want to sound like an alarmest about the grand state of Louisiana however, it sounds to us like they would of ticketed for the wrong type of air in the tires! Any port in a storm!

Time to shine the light on a few problem areas so other drivers don't get shagged!
 

mcbride

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
>MCBRIDE WAS GLAD TO HEAR YOU WERE LUCKY IN LA. LIKE I SAID
>THEY HAD TO FIND SOMETHING WRONG AND NO MATTER WHAT THEY
>WERE GOING TOO!

Well Sharp..the sixth time thru wasn't a charm....They pulled us over, got ticket, didn't pay it....too pi$$ed off to even write about it at this time....Will let you know more about it after I cool off a little.
 

SHARP327

Veteran Expediter
MCBRIDE I SHARE YOUR FEELINGS! WAS IT THE SAME SCALE HOUSE THAT GOT ME? WISH THERE WAS SOMETHING WE COULD DO! LOOKS LIKE GOING AROUND THOSE SCALES IN THE FUTURE IS A MUST! TAKE CARE SHARP327 :-(
 

teacel

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
Sorry to here those ##### holes have to be that low and sneaky to someone trying to make a living. You may want to take geo’s advice and call OOIDA, NANCY! and you too SHARP327! Maybe if you both call and report the same scale house pulling this BS, OOIDA will confront them as to why they are being and acting so petty. I always thought that the state law only applied to residents of that state and if you fought it the judge may throw it out because you didn’t know that states law.

ALWAYS REMEMBER!!! IF YOU DON’T STAND FOR SOMETHING YOU’LL FALL FOR ANYTHING!!!
 

pelicn

Veteran Expediter
>Well Sharp..the sixth time thru wasn't a charm....They
>pulled us over, got ticket, didn't pay it....too pi$$ed off
>to even write about it at this time....Will let you know
>more about it after I cool off a little.

Was it a ticket for the same thing as Sharp?

Here's another thing to learn in the expediting side of trucking. :(
 

Jimmy

Expert Expediter
Hey ya'all,
I was just reading the postings on this subject about Louisiana D.O.T.
It brought back bad memories. From my travels they are the only state in the union that has "when the lights are flashing closed".Also when in that state make sure you have an "original" not a photo copied contract or throw it out or don't show it to them at all!(The fine would be less).Check with OOIDA on this. I wish you good luck on your tickets. To me it's one state I would like to "by-pass" every chance I got! Thanks for letting me vent.
Jimmy
 

SHARP327

Veteran Expediter
HI TEACEL! WELL I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF DEALING WITH MY TICKET.

I FILED A DISPUTE WITH THE LA. DOT WHICH MEETS EVERY MONTH, AND PLEADED MY CASE AND SENT IT TO THEM REGISTERED MAIL W/RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED! GOT HOME SAT. AND THEY HAD SENT ME THE FORM SHOWING THEY RECEIVED IT AND TODAY I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE LA. DOT SAYING THAT MY VIOLATION TICKET WAS SCHEDULED FOR REVIEW ON APRIL 27 th. AND THAT I'D RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF THEIR RULING WITHIN 10 DAYS FOLLOWING MY REVIEW DATE!
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE OUTCOME WILL BE BUT IT'S BUYING ME AN EXTRA MONTH IF I END UP HAVING TO PAY THE FINE!
WISH ME LUCK! TAKE CARE OUT THERE! SHARP327 :) :-( :)
 

mcbride

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
>Did anyone follow up with their tickets?

Hi Tony,

We sent out letter of protest today overnight mail. It will get there before noon tomorrow. I challenged the violation on three levels. This is going to be kinda long....sorry.

The first level:

First, in addressing my protest regarding the violation, I pointed out that the vehicle in question is a 40 foot Freightliner straight truck and not an 18 wheeled tractor-trailer combination, a dump truck, a grain hauler, or a piece of farm equipment. In addition, not only was I not over weight my vehicle was empty. As cited in our violation the vehicle has an apportioned registration from the state of Virginia with a gross vehicle weight of 46,000 pounds, however, what was not indicated on the violation is the fact this vehicle is registered as a 3 axle vehicle, not as a 2 axle vehicle as the violation indicated.

Furthermore, I expressed what was most alarming about receiving this violation was the fact I have driven this vehicle through the State of Louisiana on several occasions. As a matter of fact, this occasion was the sixth time we had been through the state of Louisiana within a 2 week period. I asked, why is it all of the sudden, an obscure violation is being enforced, especially to drivers from another state? Not only that, violations are being issued to drivers who would have no idea any so called “violation” even exists. In addition,the issuing of these type violations seem to be dispatched with no rhyme or reason, as we know our vehicle has been through the state of Louisiana on several other occasions though out the past 3 years with no prior repercussions or reappraisals.

In addressing the second aspect of my protest I cited from the actual violation:

“R.S. No. Violation - 32:388 - [PRESSURE REGULATOR (LOCATION)]”

According to the Louisiana Administrative Code, WEIGHTS, MEASURES AND STANDARDS, the procedures are as follows:

§111. Procedures for Citing Violators
A. Issuing Violation Tickets

1. Write all violation tickets with a ball point pen only.
2. Fill out each ticket in its entirety, printing or writing
clearly all information required on the ticket.
3. On the line for "Location" write the highway,
parish, and the side (North, South, East, West) on which the
citation is being issued. On the line for "Violation" write the
specific violation. On the line for "Statute" write the number
of the statute that was violated.
Statute Violation Fine
32:380 Overwidth $100
32:381 Overheight $100
32:382 Overlength, Overhand, Twin Trailer Combination $100
32:383 Dropping, Shifting or Leaking Load $100
32:384 Trailer and Towed Vehicle Violations $100
32:385 Farm Vehicle and Equipment Violations $100
32:386 Over Legal Gross Vehicle Weight or Over Legal Axle Weight (see chart)
32:386 Improper Distribution of Axle Weight $100
32:387 Over Permitted Weight (see chart)
32:387 Violating Terms or Conditions of Permit Issuance Other than Weight $100
32:387 Permit Not in Vehicle $ 25
32:388 Over Licensed Weight $100
32:388 Failure to Stop at Stationary Scale $100
47:511.1 No Temporary 48-Hour Permit $200
47:516 Improper, Expired or No License and Registration (No fine by DOTD)
47:718 Nonpayment of Gasoline Tax $ 25
47:812A Cargo Tank Connected to Carburetor $ 25
47:812B Nonoperating Speedometer, Odometer, or Hub Meter $ 25
47:812C Owner's Name and Address Not on Outside of Cab Doors $25
47:812D Nonpayment of Special Fuels Tax (No Invoice) $ 25

As it is plainly depicted in the above cited chart violations for 32:388 involve over licensed weight vehicles, which I was not, and failure to stop at stationary scale, which is also not correct. Therefore, when giving out these violations what fine chart were they citing the violations from? I did find a section that wrote of variable load axles however they aren’t included in the section or the sub sections where I was cited in violation. They are under Department Regulation for LA vehicles and I believe this is where they get the fine etc from.

§504. Department Regulations

C. Variable Load Suspension Axles. When "Variable
Load Suspension" axles are used they must provide for
reasonable distribution of axle weight as described in the
previous §504.B.1-3. In addition, the regulator that controls
the pressure for these axles must be outside the cab. The
only control that may be in the cab is that necessary to
activate mechanism. The suspension used by these axles
may be either hydraulic, air or a combination thereof.

Chapter 11. Enforcement Procedures and Penalties

6. Variable Load Suspension Axles
a. If vehicles equipped with VLS axles are observed
to have the regulator for these axles installed in the cab, the
penalty will be $100.
b. If vehicles equipped with VLS axles are observed
operating with axles in the up position when not entering or
leaving a turn, the vehicle will be cited as the type
represented by the number of axles on the ground. The
penalty will be calculated from the appropriate overweight
chart.

The above cites are listed in sections of the Louisiana Administrative Code that clearly do not apply to an out of state 40 foot straight truck. The sections where these citations were found were using an 18 wheeled or higher wheeled tractor-trailer combination, a dump truck, a grain hauler, or a piece of farm equipment as the basis of their requirements. Throughout their qualifiers they are referring to special permit vehicles such as oversize/overweight vehicles requiring permits and tridum axles etc.

The third reason of my protesting the violation was:

We purchased this vehicle new with the controls installed in the cab already. I called the manufacturer of the lift axle (Watson & Chalin, MFG.,INC.), and I was informed that the air regulator is within the drivers reach to regulate the pressure of the air. If the regulator were on the outside of the vehicle the driver would be forced to pull over to the side of the road each and every time the pressure needed to be adjusted and clearly this would be an unsafe practice. The pressure may need to be adjusted according to road conditions and load distribution. According to them, the lift axle whether, up or down, on a straight truck will not change the overall gross vehicle weight of our registered vehicle weight of 46,000 pounds. The spacing of the lift axle from the drive axle merely distributes the weight of the load evenly on the axles. I enclosed a copy of the installation and operation manual that came with the vehicle that specifies how the axle is installed and how it works. Furthermore, it shows the regulator is part of the operator control panel which includes the lift/lower switch and if installed otherwise is not permitted. “Any installation deviation must be approved in writing, by Watson & Chalin Mfg.,Inc. Product Engineering Department. Failure to comply with any of the above will void the suspension warranty.” (Section 1, Page 2, Watson& Chalin, Mfg., Inc. Installation and Operation Manual.)

I also inserted a photo of the operator control panel where you can plainly see that it is a manufactured panel that is installed as a single undividable unit. The picture depicts a knob on the left which is the lift/drop lever and a button on the right which is the air pressure control and the air pressure gage is in the middle of the unit.

Sorry this is so long but maybe someone else can use some of my arguments if they have a problem in Louisiana too. I sent a copy of the packet I made up to OOIDA too.
 

dieseldiva

Veteran Expediter


Wow Nancy, how very thorough you are! I hope this all works out well for you and we'll be watching because our tag is set up this way too. That was VERY informative, thanks again. DDx2


Of all the things I've lost in my life, I think I miss my mind the most!!
 

JETTREDY

Expert Expediter
As I stated earlier, the DOT has a problem with the pressure settings being located in the cab. They DON'T LIKE this! Watson & Chalin are feeding you a line of BULL!! There is no reason to pull over and adjust your pressure settings. The only time you need to adjust your settings is when you get a new load/weieght. Your weight does'nt change during transit. Therefor, there's no reason to have these settings in the cab. The manufacturer of your lift axle has a product that is outdated and illegal in many states. I find it hard to believe they're not aware of this! I think they are having a hard time admitting their lift axle has a DOT problem. I suspect they don't want to make the change to location of settings due to the cost factor. There are many lift axles out there with the settings outside the cab. I'm sorry to say I dont think you'll get very far with telling the DOT you purchased the truck that way. Don't be surprised if their responce is somewhat sarcastic like: "IF YOU BOUGHT THE TRUCK WITH BALD TIRES WOULD YOU DRIVE IT THAT WAY TOO"?? My advice to you when dealing with the DOT is this; HOPE FOR THE BEST & EXPECT THE WORST!! ;-) Best of luck!!! JETTREDY
 

x06col

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
Retired Expediter
US Army
I don't understand why anyone would want controls in the cab to stumble over anyway. My cab sometimes gets busy without that addition.
had mine installed in the storage compartment below the sleeper.
 

mcbride

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
>There is no >reason to pull over and adjust your pressure settings. >The only time you need to adjust your settings is when you get a >new load/weieght.

How do you know how much pressure to put on? I don't have the same psychic power that you must have.

>Your weight does'nt change during transit. Therefor, there's no >reason to have these settings in the cab.

Nor does it change the weight on the scale. However, we have noticed that different road conditions do affect the way the truck rides, thus, we change the pressure to balance our ride.

>The manufacturer of your lift axle has a product that
>is outdated and illegal in many states.

I see...so states that still have outdated laws such as women being men's property or pigs can only be slaughtered on Tuesday, or all horses must be tied 50 hands from your front door should start inforcing them as well. Granted, these lift axles may be "illegal" in many states BUT apparently these other states aren't inforcing some obscure law or have the sense to realize that their particular statute may not apply to all types of trucks. AND, how do you explain why we haven't gotten any other citations traveling thru Louisiana in the past three years? Hmm...do you think they might just be trying to make a few bucks on unsuspecting out of state drivers? Outdated... maybe, just maybe...it is a NEWER way to install them. Do you think that Louisiana can be considered an up to date progressive state? Yepper, Louisiana, a state that favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and don’t forget the protection of civil liberties...

>I find it hard to believe they're not aware of this!

So do I, considering there are probably at least a hundred or so expediter trucks set up just like mine.


>I think they are having ahard time admitting their lift axle has a DOT problem.

Yup, real problem with Louisiana DOT...the only state that has flashing lights on the scale signs instucting you to BYPASS them while they are flashing! Progressive thinking there...This state is trying to make money off a statue that they don't even have listed in their weights and standards statutes.

>There are many lift axles out there with the settings outside the >cab.

Yup, there sure are, dump trucks, garbage trucks, propane trucks, oil trucks...

>I'm sorry to say I dont think you'll get very far with telling the >DOT you purchased the truck that way. Don't be surprised if
>their responce is somewhat sarcastic like: "IF YOU BOUGHT
>THE TRUCK WITH BALD TIRES WOULD YOU DRIVE IT THAT WAY TOO"??

Don't be sorry for me. If I have to inform the company I lease with that I will need an extra hundred bucks added to my rate so I can travel thru Louisiana, I will or I will just not go there. Furthermore, I think everyone who has a lift axle setup like ours and has to travel thru Louisiana should inform their companies the same thing!

You are right, purchasing a brand new $125,000 truck with bald tires would be pretty stupid on my part and would be a faulty argument with ANY DOT official.

>My advice to you when dealing with the DOT is this; HOPE
>FOR THE BEST & EXPECT THE WORST!!

I "expect" nothing from Louisiana DOT...which by the way, it is not who we were cited by, in their "progressive" state...it is the Department of Weights and Standards who fine people on the scales,
as the "officer" told me who gave us the citation. He said, "we aren't DOT, we don't even check log books!" I am not new to situations like this. I recognize when I am getting hosed. I have the cognitive ability to recognize I can't argue with these kind of backward local yokels. Before I was a truck driver, believe it or not, I had a "real" job that dealt regularly with these type of people who turn into power crazed a&&holes. I also dealt with small communities that railroaded vacation travelers with their "speed traps" and "probable cause" searches/seizures, so I am not kidding myself here. I just don't like to go down without a fight. YOU might think about that...historically, if everyone had just kept conforming to this type of bureaucratic bull$hit, where would our legal system be then? The funny thing about people that don't fight for what they believe in, or fight for change, is that they are usually the biggest whiners when they experience what they believe to be some injustice.


mcbride-
--What goes around comes around--
 

JETTREDY

Expert Expediter
>>There is no >reason to pull over and adjust your pressure settings. >The only time you need to adjust your settings is when you get a >new load/weieght.
>
>How do you know how much pressure to put on? I don't have
>the same psychic power that you must have.
> I don't have any psychic powers whatsoever. Once I know the weight of the load, I use the chart provided with pressure controls to make proper setting.
> >Your weight does'nt change during transit. Therefor, there's no >reason to have these settings in the cab.
>
>Nor does it change the weight on the scale. However, we have
>noticed that different road conditions do affect the way the
>truck rides, thus, we change the pressure to balance our
>ride.
> Nope, it surrrrre don't. These axles are'nt meant for comfort honey!
>>The manufacturer of your lift axle has a product that
>>is outdated and illegal in many states.
>
>I see...so states that still have outdated laws such as
>women being men's property or pigs can only be slaughtered
>on Tuesday, or all horses must be tied 50 hands from your
>front door should start inforcing them as well. Granted,
>these lift axles may be "illegal" in many states BUT
>apparently these other states aren't inforcing some obscure
>law or have the sense to realize that their particular
>statute may not apply to all types of trucks. AND, how do
>you explain why we haven't gotten any other citations
>traveling thru Louisiana in the past three years? Hmm...do
>you think they might just be trying to make a few bucks on
>unsuspecting out of state drivers? Outdated... maybe, just
>maybe...it is a NEWER way to install them. Do you think that
>Louisiana can be considered an up to date progressive state?
>Yepper, Louisiana, a state that favors a political
>philosophy of progress and reform and don’t forget the
>protection of civil liberties...
> Like I said, I don't have psychic powers, so I can't tell you why you have'nt gotten any other citations. Women/pigs/horses/progressive state/political philosophy/civil liberties????????? Whats all that about?
>>I find it hard to believe they're not aware of this!
>
>So do I, considering there are probably at least a hundred
>or so expediter trucks set up just like mine.
> Ya think??? Maybe 200
>
>>I think they are having ahard time admitting their lift axle has a DOT problem.
>
>Yup, real problem with Louisiana DOT...the only state that
>has flashing lights on the scale signs instucting you to
>BYPASS them while they are flashing! Progressive thinking
>there...This state is trying to make money off a statue that
>they don't even have listed in their weights and standards
>statutes.
>
>>There are many lift axles out there with the settings outside the >cab.
>
>Yup, there sure are, dump trucks, garbage trucks, propane
>trucks, oil trucks...
> Stop. I'm sorry to say I dont think you'll get very far with telling the >DOT you purchased the truck that way. Don't be surprised if
>>their responce is somewhat sarcastic like: "IF YOU BOUGHT
>>THE TRUCK WITH BALD TIRES WOULD YOU DRIVE IT THAT WAY TOO"??
>
>Don't be sorry for me. If I have to inform the company I
>lease with that I will need an extra hundred bucks added to
>my rate so I can travel thru Louisiana, <I'll bet they jump right on that.
>just not go there. Furthermore, I think everyone who has a
>lift axle setup like ours and has to travel thru Louisiana
>should inform their companies the same thing!
>
>You are right, purchasing a brand new $125,000 truck with
>bald tires would be pretty stupid on my part and would be a
>faulty argument with ANY DOT official.
> OK
>> My advice to you when dealing with the DOT is this; HOPE
>>FOR THE BEST & EXPECT THE WORST!!
>
>I "expect" nothing from Louisiana DOT...which by the way, it
>is not who we were cited by, in their "progressive"
>state...it is the Department of Weights and Standards who
>fine people on the I don't care if Barney Fife gave it to you, its still a ticket.
>as the "officer" told me who gave us the citation. He said,
>"we aren't DOT, we don't even check log books!" I am not
>new to situations like this. I recognize when I am getting
>hosed. I have the cognitive ability to recognize I can't
>argue with these kind of backward local yokels. Before I was
>a truck driver, believe it or not, I had a "real" job that
>dealt regularly with these type of people who turn into
>power crazed a&&holes. I also dealt with small communities
>that railroaded vacation travelers with their "speed traps"
>and "probable cause" searches/seizures, so I am not kidding
>myself here. I just don't like to go down without a fight.
>YOU might think about that...historically, if everyone had
>just kept conforming to this type of bureaucratic bull$hit,
>where would our legal system be then? The funny thing about
>people that don't fight for what they believe in, or fight
>for change, is that they are usually the biggest whiners
>when they experience what they believe to be some injustice.
> My goodness!
> Is there really much difference between a whiner and a bitcher? By the way are you and your husband fighting?
>
>--What goes around comes around--
>
 
G

guest

Guest
>>Is there really much difference between a whiner and a bitcher?<<

This is definitely none of my business, but the Mcbride's seem to be very friendly folks. IMHO, you (JETREADY) are over the line with the above statement. I'm no moderator, but if I were, you would amend that.

Your post today was a bit harsh to say the least. Mcbride did come back hard, but you provoked it.

Just my thoughts,
 

mcbride

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
Jettredy:
I am not your honey and my relationship with my husband isn’t any business of yours. I should have learned that people with your mental capacity are incapable of engaging in a challenging conversation without resorting to berating comments. I was aware of your self-righteous attitude from the beginning of this thread. From the start, your posts indicated that you perceive yourself as a “DOT” regulation, weight/standards, and lift axle scholar, which I suspect is a self-proclaimed title. I should have had enough sense to ignore your condescending posts but I didn’t and this was my mistake. I have always tried to contribute to this forum in a respectable/helpful way. I am embarrassed that I have engaged in this pitiful diatribe with you. I will have no further discourse with you, you can’t take it and you’re not worth it.

mcbride-
--What goes around comes around--
 

Weave

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
I don't know a whole heck of a lot about air adjustable lift axles, other than if I wanted one I would want the adjuster and gauge to be in the cab away from dirt and grime, and most of the Hendrickson setups I have seen on expediter trucks are this way, and Hendrickson is not an outdated or DOT illegal lift axle by any means. What the heck difference would it make where the adjuster is at from a safety standpoint? That is what the DOT should concern themselves with, not some state worrying if a truck driver is trying to jip their scales. I could probably make a scale go bonkers by dumping and recharging the air on my single axle bags, so I don't agree with Mr. Jettready's or the state of LA's scale logic at all.
I thought that when the Federal Department of Transportation was created, it's goal was to provide uniform rules for all modes of transportation in the United States. So far, it's main concerns have been air and rail transportation, leaving automobile and truck laws to the individual states. When it comes to trucks, states play the money game, plain and simple trucking 101. Local town governments can make regulations too. The fact is the interstate trucker simply can't know every single little law in every locale and sometimes is at the mercy of Barney Fife. I wish the interstate truck laws were uniform, but for now...
I hope this helped to smooth over McBride's and Jettready's differing opinions :) ..a little pathetic creative moderating:D
-Weave-

I locked this thread up- not to "Hail Hitler," but it's getting too long and a little ugly. Sorry.
 
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