We have a 40' straight truck Bought a highway tractor had it stretched and a box built and put on. The box is 23 1/2 feet From the day we got the truck we have been overweight on the steer by 800 lbs that is with us 2 drivers both tanks full of fuel and empty. We have been hit 2 times now at the weight station, once in Indianna and once in Texas After the first time we talked to many people and most just laughed at us. We now need to know what our options are as we have been sitting for over 2 weeks and need to get some advice on what to do and where we could get it done Thanks Carol The truck is a 2005 Freightliner Century and we live in Strathry Ontario Canada We have 2 fuel tanks each holding 140 US gallons or 530 liters. Are there any restrictions as to where the fuel tanks can be placed thanks When we were pulled in to the weigh station in Texas we were only half full of fuel and still overweight by 800lbs
Charrol,
This is the king of over weight on the steer axle speaking! Actually we are not. DOT just thinks we are on a regular basis. We run 14,200- 14,600 lbs all of the time. Empty or loaded. Been as heavy as 15,120 lbs loaded. And we are legal!
How? By having the right tires. We run 22.5X8.25 Alcoa rims on a 14,600 lbs rated steer axle with Michelin R22.5 280AZE Energy H-rated steer tires. These are 16 ply tires that are sidewall rated for 7830 lbs (single mounting) at 120 lbs air pressure cold. Stoop's Freightliner, Fremont,IN carries these. Mounted and balanced these tires will run $1400+/- and have given us an average of 185,000 miles of trouble free service with plenty of tread to spare.
We can and have been as heavy as 15.6K (but would never run the tires maxed out) on our steer axle and still ok'd by DOT to continue on our run. Why? because our tires were rated to carry at least the actual loading applied to them at the time DOT weighed and inspected us, even though we were exceeding the manufacturer's axle rating. DOT's main concern is the tire rating.
You will see in the attached photo of our tractor, our 150 gal each fuel tanks are set back to place 75% of our fuel weight onto the drive axles. This is on a 327" wheelbase. Unlike your situation, our tractor is NOT an after market stretch. So the cab and chassis was engineered at Kenworth. Not saying there is anything wrong with doing an aftermarket stretch. Just seeing yet another engineering snafu.
Now, what to do yo correct your problem? First: You did not state if you are being told that you are 800 lbs overweight on your steer axle rating, or on the steer tire's weight capacity? Please clarify. Next, since you stated with your fuel tanks full and no payload on-board you're over by 800 lbs. Do you truly want to run with only 120 gal max of fuel, especially in the winter? Probably not. Depending on the lay of the frame (cross members,etc), relocating and re-plumbing the fuel tanks can be costly, and being able to position them where they need to be may be tricky. Plus if not engineered right the first time, you've spent $$$, yet still have the same problem with a slightly lower number.
Before spending $$$ moving tanks, I would strongly suggest running the heavier tires that can be mounted in an hour or less verses days in the shop relocating the tanks. The tire sidewall ratings are a DOT accepted number. That is if that's all they have stated is your problem. Note: When pulled in for this issue by DOT, not once have they asked what our steer axle rating is, just inspected the sidewall rating on the tire and let us go.
Disclaimer: Check with both US and Canadian DOT to verify that the planned tactic to correct this issue in fact will be deemed legal prior to spending any $$$
