Legal Weight On Steers

I heard that trucks with APU and other extras are allowed to have more weight on their steers, some say up to 13k. Is it true?

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

The APU exemption is generally applied to the drives but I’m all reality, it comes down to the officer whether they’ll recognize it or not. Your steer weight is determined by the axle and tire ratings and again can be allowed or disallowed depending on the officer.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

My 2019 Cascadia is as follows:

Front axle rating: 12,500 lbs

Tire maximum rating: 6175 lbs per tire for a total maximum of 12,350.

But most states have a single axle rating of 20,000, which if you rolled across a scale with 21,000 on your steers you would be pulled in.

The unknown for me is at what weight between 12,350 and 20,000 would they pull me in?

My 2019 Cascadia is as follows:

Front axle rating: 12,500 lbs

Tire maximum rating: 6175 lbs per tire for a total maximum of 12,350.

But most states have a single axle rating of 20,000, which if you rolled across a scale with 21,000 on your steers you would be pulled in.

The unknown for me is at what weight between 12,350 and 20,000 would they pull me in?

They’re only going to apply the 20k to your drives and trailer, the steer on most trucks will always be 12 unless in a heavy configuration which can be 14 / 16 / 20k

They’re only going to apply the 20k to your drives and trailer, the steer on most trucks will always be 12 unless in a heavy configuration which can be 14 / 16 / 20k

Additionally, under inspection they are going to hold you the lowest component rating, regardless of the allowed axle rating.

For example, if your tires are rated at a combined 12,350, that's it. That's all you're allowed on that front axle. No axle rating or APU exemption will trump that. You can never legally exceed an individual component's rating.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

I looked at my tires, they are 6,175, which sets my limit at 12,350, right? So if I have (as I do now) 12,500, my only option is to move the 5th wheel? I need to learn how to do it, I guess...

Moving your fifth wheel back one notch will set you perfect, right at 12,000

Moving your fifth wheel back one notch will set you perfect, right at 12,000

Thank you!