ok we've heard from a state dot officer [IL] on IL requirements, now lets look at info from experienced dot hauler for operating multistate. one is a MR.tom cobb who is a experienced dot hauler that uses the same size trucks we use. He says ; there are three weights;
your scale weight [GCWR] which is what your truck, gear,fuel, and empty trailer weighs
your rated weight [GCVWR] which is your data plate lists as your ratings, what your axles are rated for, what your tires/wheels are rated for...and dot loves to look at all of this
your "tagged" weight which is what you have declared your ratings to be for tagging.
For DOT you need;
1. to not be over your data plate combined weights
2. not be over your tire rating weights
3. not be over your axle ratings
4. not weigh more than you are tagged for
See his recomendations for new folks on hotshothauling.com under general topics that was posted to help folks get started in the business.
Now, I have hauled commercial in a 12 state area around OK some years back. Our newer trucks have a door plate with the axle ratings and GVWR [GVWR may be uprated in your state so it goes from state to state requirements]. Some states may have a mixed reg requirements for weights on interstate vs intrastate roads even within their own state.
Some states, as my state, use those weight regs for the same trucks for non commercial use.
Check with your state dot office and DPS office for your states requirements. Its a mixed bag now but many commercial hauler are hearing rumblings from their states and dot offices that changes are comming for non commercial users. Its about time.
JIM
