I don't mean to be pig headed about this but I still can't find any printed or official statement that says the individule axles of a tandem axle arrangement (axles that are at least 40" apart but not more than 96")are limited to 20,000#. All I can find is that a tandem axle arrangement cannot exceed a total of 34,000#. Now logic may dictate that if single axles are limited to 20,000# then individule axles in a tandem arrangement would be the same. However, logic and the law are not the same. Can anyone show me where the law is specific on this?
Ross: The first site is the one I listed and I still don't see the specific answer although there is a lot of stuff there and I could be missing it. I can't get the ref.# you listed to work on the NHTSA site. Here is specifically what I'm looking for. If I were to purchase a coach with a 24,000# drive axle and a 12,000# TAG (which is likely)and the drive carried 22,000# and I received a citation and went to court the judge must cite a specific law or ruling. All I've seen so far is a reference to 34,000#
(Moderator let me know if this is too far from the OP question and I'll go to a new thread. It's an important question that I would like answered.)
What is the minimum/maximum single axle weight limit that States must enforce on the Interstate System? (23 CFR 658.17)
It is 20,000 pounds or a higher grandfathered weight.
PM me with an email and I'll send you the NHTSA attachment.
Also - tell me what RV you are looking at.
Ross
What is the minimum/maximum single axle weight limit that States must enforce on the Interstate System? (23 CFR 658.17)
It is 20,000 pounds or a higher grandfathered weight.
PM me with an email and I'll send you the NHTSA attachment.
Also - tell me what RV you are looking at.
Ross
Ross: Again that statement applies to single axles. What I'm looking for is something that says "Tandem axle configurations shall not exceed 34,000 combined or 20,000 on the drive axle." Now in the real world no one with an RV is going to be cited for being overweight by DOT standards. Again, I'm talking legal not saftey. Would running 22,000# on a 24,000# rated drive axle of a TAG stop me from buying a great coach? No. But I want to know where I stand. Who knows what the future holds and I think you understand and appreciate my interest.
May States set weight limits on the Interstate System at less than the Federal maximum weight limits? (23 CFR 658.17)
No. When Interstate System weight limits were raised to the current levels in 1974 (20,000 pounds single axle, 34,000 pounds tandem axle, 80,000 pounds overall gross weight limits, plus bridge formula limits), States were not required to raise their limits accordingly, although most did. However, six contiguous States in the Mississippi valley, referred to as the "barrier States," did not and effectively limited the weight for all vehicles moving across them to their own limits. This was changed in 1982 when Congress established Interstate System weight limits as minimums as well as maximums.
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What is the definition of a tandem axle? (23 CFR 658.17)
It is two or more consecutive axles over 40 inches but not over 96 inches apart. If there were 3 axles within that distance, they would be considered a tandem axle for the purpose of Interstate weight limits.
Ohio and Pa turnpike will turn back a vehicle with over 20,000 axle. They have rolling scales at the toll booth. I would think that more will follow suit to protect the roads(save them $) and may start to fine (more $ for the gov.)
OK. (I don't mind the posting at all... educational if I can grasp it.) For the benefit of this newbie, are there easy ways to figure these amounts? One would THINK that manufacturers would make a coach and then tell us what it weighs and how much it can carry. Not so, I guess? Then what's a buyer to do?
1. Weigh it for yourself...?
So... where? Weigh station? Free? If not, how much?
How to get 4 different tire weights that some mention?
2. Will mechanics check this when you get them to look it over before purchase?
Wow. Seems murky (incomprehensible) at first blush.
dentmac wrote: Dick A
Consider getting certified weights and sending the specs to Tiffin. If they don't upgrade the front axle and wheels/tires, send a complaint to NHTSA. The tires/wheels cannot be over rated load at all. Unbelievably, they are not as strict about the GAWR but very much by GVWR or tire loading.
This is true, I didn't have to go that far with Newmar to get the 12,000# axle/wheels changed to a 14,600# axle/wheels. No legal action ever taken on my part either, never even had to consult the BBB (worthless anyway) or an AG's office. When I presented the facts (that jibed with the factory weights) Newmar had me take it to a shop (Henderson's) for an evaluation. Henderson's called Newmar with the results and wrote me a letter stating the rig was overloaded as it left the factory. I did have to drive the rig to Charlotte from the west coast but Newmar paid the fuel both ways but that was a requirement of state law anyway.
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