Coalition against big trucks or somthing like that?

[USA#1]

I caught the end of a paid for ad on WIBC today. Something about legislation being pushed to allow 120k lb trucks on our roads and a coalition buying radio time to stop it. Anyone know what this is all about?

 

[Cameramonkey]

Yes. currently trucks over 100 tons require a permit. They are trying to allow trucks up to 120 tons to run without a permit.

Per the DOT and those behind it, stats show they are just as safe as any other truck, and the accident rate is actually lower than average mile.

 

[churchmouse]

But the roads.

 

[Cameramonkey]

But the roads.

The antis dont even mention that. Its all about the safety. think of the childrens!!!!

And the law only allows the increased loads on interstates as I recall. And maybe state roads. Nothing else.

But I dont disagree.

But as somebody pointed out, the current permitting system isnt adequate to repair any potential road damage anyway. I think they said the average permit was between 20 and 50 bucks per run. And that run could be hundreds of miles. He even admitted the current permit charges arent going to do anything to fix what those trucks are tearing up anyway because the current charges are too low. (it came up as a side conversation during the interview)

 

[USA#1]

I can't imagine there are that many trucks of this size.

 

[4651feeder]

Yes. currently trucks over 100 tons require a permit. They are trying to allow trucks up to 120 tons to run without a permit.

Per the DOT and those behind it, stats show they are just as safe as any other truck, and the accident rate is actually lower than average mile.

Umm, I may be wrong but I think we're talking an increase to 120,000 lb, not 120 tons. Gosh can't imagine a semi pulling 240,000 lb (120 ton) up the Peru hill on US 31

 

[IndyDave1776]

First, the number under consideration is 120,000 pounds.

Second, it is safer. I attribute this to experienced drivers like myself being the participants rather than some knucklehead who just finished 3 weeks of school and got turned loose with a truck or worse yet an eastern European or middle easterner who hasn't figured out that this isn't a demolition derby like the old country.

Third, the state is not likely to give up the permit money. I have no doubt that they are coming out ahead on permits comparable in cash outlay to using a toll road.

 

[Ingomike]

I can't imagine there are that many trucks of this size.

They will come. Waiting on BT to weigh in. LOL

 

[IndyDave1776]

They will come. Waiting on BT to weigh in. LOL

BT isn't the only one. Over the last year my average has been around 115K.

This is happening all day every day. Combined, we (with 15 trucks) haul between 70 and 80 loads a week approaching 120K.

 

[Ingomike]

BT isn't the only one. Over the last year my average has been around 115K.

This is happening all day every day. Combined, we (with 15 trucks) haul between 70 and 80 loads a week approaching 120K.

Cool! Is was also a pun...

 

[IndyDave1776]

Cool! Is was also a pun...

I see it now. Tired and distracted.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Yeah, I was only paying half attention while working. I just remember 100 up to 120. Mea Culpa.

And how common is it? Its the trucks being escorted by police I think. So not too common.

 

[IndyDave1776]

Cool! Is was also a pun...

I see it now. Tired and distracted.

Oh, and given the subject-matter, I should probably specify that I am tired and distracted while operating a chair on a concrete floor.

 

[IndyDave1776]

Yeah, I was only paying half attention while working. I just remember 100 up to 120. Mea Culpa.

And how common is it? Its the trucks being escorted by police I think. So not too common.

Up to 120K does not require police escort. Just watch for 3 or more trailer axles on the pavement.

 

[Jaybird1980]

BT isn't the only one. Over the last year my average has been around 115K.

This is happening all day every day. Combined, we (with 15 trucks) haul between 70 and 80 loads a week approaching 120K.

Are you oversized at that weight, or is it something like BT's setup

 

[Bigtanker]

I can't imagine there are that many trucks of this size.

I drive one in Northern Indiana just about every day. 129,000 pounds fully loaded. Yes we have a 24 hour overweight permit to do so.



As far as the roads go, there is LESS weight on each of my axles than on a standard 5 axle 18 wheeler that maxes out at 80,000 pounds. Each of those axles have brakes. I can stop in a shorter distance than a standard 18 wheeler, everything else being equal.

Think about it this way, more freight per truck means less trucks to do the same amount of work. What I can carry in two loads, 26000 gallons (13,000 each load), it takes a standard 80,000 pound truck not quite 3 1/2 loads (8,000 gallons each load)

Michigan has a weight limit of 170,000 without a permit, as long as you have the axles on the ground. And driving these roads daily, I do not see a big difference in road surface conditions.

US 20 from NWI to SR 39 in Laporte or to US 31 N in South Bend is the heavy haul lane for Indiana. The steel haulers have used this path for decades. There are other states like Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin that I know of for sure that allow trucks over 80,000 pounds (with extra axles).

 

[IndyDave1776]

Are you oversized at that weight, or is it something like BT's setup

Usually 2 or 3 steel coils on a perfectly normal-looking trailer except for an extra axle. Steel is compact enough that there is no visible size overage, so I don't look like I am driving a barn down the highway.

 

[patience0830]

Yes. currently trucks over 80'000 lbs require a permit. They are trying to allow trucks up to 120,000 lbs to run without a permit.

Per the DOT and those behind it, stats show they are just as safe as any other truck, and the accident rate is actually lower than average per mile.

FTFY
Trucks over 40 tons. 80,000# require additional permissions of one sort or another.. Turnpike rules are different to allow long doubles on the pike. 53' trailers are the max allowed length except for some zones near the border in TX where they run a few 57 footers for light stuff like appliances.

 

[Bigtanker]

First, the number under consideration is 120,000 pounds.

Second, it is safer. I attribute this to experienced drivers like myself being the participants rather than some knucklehead who just finished 3 weeks of school and got turned loose with a truck or worse yet an eastern European or middle easterner who hasn't figured out that this isn't a demolition derby like the old country.

Third, the state is not likely to give up the permit money. I have no doubt that they are coming out ahead on permits comparable in cash outlay to using a toll road.

I don't see them giving up the permit money. Our 24 hours permit is $42.50. So between our terminal and another terminal that uses the permits, I think we spent something along the lines of $5,000-$6,000 a MONTH for about 6 trucks. If I use a permit 3 days a week for 52 weeks, that's over $6,000 year.

 

[IndyDave1776]

Michigan has a weight limit of 170,000 without a permit, as long as you have the axles on the ground. And driving these roads daily, I do not see a big difference in road surface conditions.

The biggest difference is that in Michigan the cracks will often run parallel with the direction of travel, induced by weight, where in Indiana the cracks more often run crosswise from the combination of weather and inadequate drainage. On the whole they tend to last about equally well.