Container Weight Limitation

Maximum length notes:

• Semitrailers up to 53 feet may operate without a permit by conforming to a kingpin-to-rearmost axle distance of 38 feet. Semitratilers that are consistent with 23 CFR 658.13(h) may operate without a permit provided the distance from the kingpin to the center of the rear axle is 46 feet or less.
• Semitrailers up to 53 feet in length may operate without a permit by conforming to a kingpin-to-rearmost axle distance of 40 feet 6 inches. Semitrailers that are consistent with 23 CFR 658.13(h) may operate without a permit, provided the distance from the kingpin to the center of the rear axle is 46 feet or less.
• Semitrailers up to 53 feet in length may operate without a permit by conforming to a kingpin-to-rearmost axles distance of 41 feet, measured to the center of the rear tandem assembly. Semitrailers that are consistent with 23 CFR 658.13(h) may operate without a permit provided the distance from the kingpin to the center of the rear axle is 46 feet or less.

[53 FR 2599, Jan. 29, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 1931, Jan. 18, 1989 and 62 FR 10181, March 5, 1997]

Maximum Weight notes:

1. Delaware will permit 90,000 for state roads only, at $200.00 per year.

2. Illinois will permit on a sliding scale as follows:

73281 lbs – 80,000 lbs
80,001 lbs – 88,000 lbs

3. Louisiana may permit weight to 100,000 and permits on a sliding scale as follows:

< 150 miles $65
> 150 miles $85

4. Maryland’s overweight containers must pass through Baltimore to be given a permit.

5. Load specific

6. South Dakota will permit on a sliding scale as follows:

(formula) < 85,000 lbs
ex: 90,000 lbs @ 100 miles

7. Vermont blanket permit for state roads only

8. West Virginia will permit for loads originating or terminating in their state only. Cannot drive through.

9. Wisconsin permits on the following scale:

< 90,000 lbs
90,001 – 100,000 lbs
ea 10,000 > 100,001 lbs

10. This state does not provide overweight/over-dimensional permits unless the cargo cannot be broken up (one solid unit), at which point, special arrangements have to be made with a specialized carrier.

80,000 is the legal limit in AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, and VA; however, there may be issues with axle weights if not loaded correctly.

If permits are ordered through an agency, additional administrative costs may be added to the permit cost.

Additional Weight Considerations:

As a general rule, gross weight (tractor/tare weight/cargo weight) for 40′ equipment should be 80,000 lbs., with a cargo weight of 45,000 depending on the tractor.

Additional Weight Considerations (cont.):

As a general rule, gross weight (tractor/tare weight/cargo weight) for 40′ equipment should be 80,000 lbs., with a cargo

40′ reefer cargo weight should be between 39,000-40,000 cargo weight to stay under 80,000 lbs gross weight (tractor/tare weight/cargo weight)

In WA / OR / MT / ID – allow for use of super chassis/triaxle on 40′ equipment at additional cost of $130+ per load. Weights = 12,000; 34,000; 42,000; 88,000

Use of superchassis/triaxle will allow cargo weight in 40′ reefers to go up to 47,000-48,000 lbs and still keep gross weight at 88,000 lbs.

Special arrangements can be made for use of 4 axle chassis which would allow total gross weight to reach 96,000 (12,000; 42,000; 42,000) but equipment rental expense is considerably more than standard or tri axle.

20′ laws in all states are governed by new bridge law weight which took effect in 1998. Distance between wheel base determines actual weight per axle and gross weight. As a general rule, cargo weight should not surpass 39,000 lbs with a total gross weight (tractor/tare weight/cargo weight) of 68,000 lbs.

AXIMUM BRIDGE LAWS (replaced all suggested weight laws):

It is possible to be considered overweight in one or all of the following ways:

1. Gross weight
2. Axle weight
3. Bridge formula

1. Gross Weight: Maximum allowable total gross weight for trucks on U.S. Interstates is 80,000 lbs, including tractor weight, chassis and container weight, cargo weight, etc. Off-interstate limits are typically lower. Please refer to the American Trucking Association’s “Summary of Size and Weight Limits”.

2. Axle Weight: Allowable gross weight on a single or set of axles is regulated by individual states. States typically allow 34,000 lbs per tandem axle and 20,000 lbs per single axle. Please refer to the American Trucking Association’s “Summary of Size and Weight Limits” for more information. Note: Over 50% of all U.S. citations issued are for axle weight violations, usually the result of uneven distribution of the load inside the container.

3. Bridge formula: This law sets maximum weights according to the distance between sets of axles. “Inner Bridge” measurement = distance between axle 2 and axle 5 (steering axle is axle 1, tractor “Outer Bridge” measurement = distance between axle 1 and axle 5 drive axle is axle 2, etc.) To determine Inner Bridge compliance, measure distance from center of wheel of axle 2 to center of wheel of axle 5. Refer to “Summary of Size and Weight Limits” appropriate bridge chart (table A or B) Find appropriate distance, follow row to 4 axles column to find maximum gross weight for 4 axles.

To determine Outer Bridge compliance, measure distance from center of wheel of axle 1 to center of wheel of axle 5. Refer to “Summary of Size and Weight Limits” appropriate bridge chart (table A or B) Find appropriate distance, follow row to 5 axles column to find maximum gross weight for 5 axles.

Example:

a) Outer bridge = 37 ft.

Max. weight, according to chart for 37 ft. on 5 axles = 66,500 lbs, load is OK

b) Inner bridge = 22 ft.

Max. weight, according to chart for 22 ft. on 4 axles = 56,500 lbs, load is OK