MAX PAYLOAD = 3728

[terryandrene]

I have often wondered why so many van operators have ignored the safe maximum payload for their vehicles and carried weights that exceeded the defined "B" load weight limits. It is not easy for any of us to refuse a several hundred dollar load because it exceeds the carrier's definition of a "B" load. It is also not easy to refuse an excessively heavy load when we believe we can carry that weight without harm to our vehicle or ourselves. Well, any driver that takes a short term gain by hauling excessive weight is hurting all van operators in the long run. As the carriers recognize that we will carry a previously defined "C" load for "B" money, they will redefine a "B" load to equal our performance. Tri-State has raised "B" loads to 300# and FedEx Custom Critical now defines a "B" load as up to 2500#. What's next?

What prompts me to readdress this topic is Jeff Jensen's home page article on the Sprinter vans. In that article, people are quoted, in part, as having hauled "average weights of 3600#"; "They can safely haul 4000#"; "carried 4000# at 70 MPH".

I have been an admirer of the Sprinter since I observed it's USA introduction in Louisville. It has a lot of great features that are attrative to the expediter. What it does not have is a safe payload capacity of 4000 pounds. The data for 2004 and earlier Sprinters is published as follows: A 158" wheel base, high roof, four wheel Sprinter has a 8550 GVWR and a maximum payload of 3728 pounds. That means the curb weight with one driver and a full fuel tank is 4822#.

It's a rare expediter that hasn't modified a van to include a bunk, mattress, blankets, Spare clothes, tools, plywood floor, E-Track, Load Bars, cinch straps, TV, QualComm, Cabinet full of paperwork, CB radio, one or two aux. batteries, and a partition. In addition, some have roof vents, satellite equipment, small refrigerators, food stuffs, spare oil and filters, books, magazines, fishing gear, aux generators, aux. air conditioners. Then there are those among us who have a co-driver with all of his/her presonal gear. Now add up the weight of some or all of this stuff, subtract it from the 3728 safe payload and you have your modified safe payload.

Despite my ramblings here, many will continue to believe they can safely carry 3000# - 4000# in a 4 wheel Sprinter. That is simply not true, and I submit that any driver who continues to do so is operating a Sprinter in an unsafe manner. Any carrier that offers such a load is promoting the unsafe operation of a Sprinter.

 

[LDB]

I couldn't agree more. It's the few who mess things up for the rest, not only in expediting but in everything in life. It would be nice if every carrier booked loads at the proper rate and if every O/O refused to carry any load at reduced rates. Unfortunately a few carriers are willing to give away the farm, forcing the rest to compete or be left out. The same goes for the O/O willing to take a load they should pass up. If everyone was on the same page we'd have a best seller.

Leo
truck 4958

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[Drluvv]

I drive a D-Unit single axle and was offered a load but it didn't say how much the weight was. Turns out that the load of engine parts weighed 18,000lbs. FedEx pleded with me to take it but I told them hell no, so they got another truck to pick up the excess amount and were upset cause they had to pay for two trucks. I guess some drivers in the past would just look at the money and say "the hell with it" and move the load. Not me, I'm not playing God with my life or transporting loads that I know will get me in deep trouble with DOT.

 

[kg]

terryandrene are absolutely correct, and this is not the first time they have talked on this subject. carrier weight definitions for b loads have continued to go up as competition for loads increase and willingness to overload vans continues.

the manufacturers specifications are based on a NEW vehicle with NEW UN-WORN PARTS! the payload is based also on perfect distribution of that payload in respect to the vehicle's geometry.

in addition,real world center of gravity comes into play as far as the size of the payload package. is it tall and heavy or short and distributed..

i also ask why carry more weight than you have to? don't our trucks wear out fast enough as it is? any extra revenue gained by overloading is lost through maintenance costs somewhere down the line.

 

[davekc]

This abuse is much more common among the van owners than other trucks that need to weigh at the scales.

There is no incentive for van drivers not to take these loads.
There is also no penalties in the short run if they do.

The other issue is many are entry level and fail to see a bigger picture. If they have sat numerous days waiting on a load, they will take most anything.

Carriers have a responsibility as well, and some follow it, and some don't.

Some, but not all, operate on a "profit first, safety second"

As the transportation sector struggles, you will see even more of it.
No easy answers.

Davekc
owner
20 years

 

[dragonrider]

My 2 cents worth.That is why I was trying to make a little "c" type truck.It filled the gap between 2000lb an 4000 It would alow the carrer's to price it between the 2,but allow some to be in this bussiness with out the bigger truck per say.My little c does log,but most scales wave me through,and I can park in the "car" lot and only take one space not like a c or d.If i could have made enogh money to finish up,it would have been as comfortable as a straight job,but cheaper to run etc.
Right now it is not going to happen,why because the carriers deam that over loaded vans make more money.And if you have a bunch out there who will exceed the saftey line all the time,then some day it will haunt them and all.


dragonrider
6yrs van
5yrs company driver
1 year little c/super b

 

[ACE]

I agree that Safety should be a priorty. Load weight,Hours of service,Vehicle Speed,Maintenance. All these are factors that should be observed.

But if a person does not value their life enough not to risk it for [ example a $ 1,000 load ]that would compromise their safety. What are we to do.

We can only hope that one day they realize that being dead or injured is not worth any load.

We can not expect them to value others lives if they do not value their own.

Carriers and shippers can ask us to do things that may not be safe. We have the responsibility to say NO.

Will your family be happier if you brought in an extra amount of money or came home every time safe? You decide.

 

[geo]

if it don't pay i won't haul it and if they want me to haul it they have to pay
i agree with terry if you don't make them pay they will think they won't have to pay

when i had my c unit on with fexcc i could haul 13,300 and one time i was at home and they ask me if i could haul 11,500 and i asked how much would it pay a c load or a d load and they said a c load, than only will haul 5,000 lbs than what would it take to do whole load
d rate and i could do it so they did
other times had gone in to a place and weight was a d load
and told them and they raise it to a d load
but don't know what they do now

 

[redytrk]

>other times had gone in to a place and weight was a d load
>and told them and they raise it to a d load
>but don't know what they do now

When this has happened to our "C".They would rather take it off my truck and dispatch a "D".They have never gone ahead and paid us the D rate.

I cant see why they wont pay D rate to the C truck if it is legal to carry the extra weight.

Some shippers put on that extra skid on purpose,knowing it will ride at C rate.

 

[RichM]

DRLUV what happened to you is a definite NO-NO. You should have reported the dispatcher who was pleading with you to run ilegal to Safety. They record all phone calls so there would be a record of this possible violation.

On the Sprinter issue FDXCC is currently trying out a Sprinter with a reefer unit.I have no idea what the insulation and the unit weighs but since so many of those climate controlled loads are less then a 1000 pounds it makes sense to put the freight on B unit and charge van rates vs C or D rates.. This could have long reaching implications for C/D reefer units.

 

[davekc]

n the Sprinter issue FDXCC is currently trying out a Sprinter with a reefer unit.I have no idea what the insulation and the unit weighs but since so many of those climate controlled loads are less then a 1000 pounds it makes sense to put the freight on B unit and charge van rates vs C or D rates.. This could have long reaching implications for C/D reefer units.

Rich M

If there is enough freight, the competitors will quickly jump on the band wagon.
That will certainly drive down the rates on those types of loads.
Davekc
owner
20 years

 

[Crazynuff]

There is also the chance that an overloaded van will be in a serious wreck and regardless of who is at fault there will be a major lawsuit and DOT will start targeting expediting vans . While vans don't have to cross the scales in most states , DOT has the right to pull over any vehicle and check the bills and GVW of the vehicle .

 

[roadrocket]

Hi terryandrene,
You are correct, this does go on and the sad part is the DOT knows this and all it will take a few accidents of over gross vans and then "All vans will have to weigh and log" Bummer :-(