Simplify Your Oversize/Overweight Loads
Max Legal Weight for GVW under 80,000 lbs and Max Permitted Weight for GVW over 80,000 lbs
The maximum legal axle weights on Interstate highways are:
Axle variance of 2,000 pounds for single axles and 3,000 pounds for tandem, tridum and quadrum axles are allowed on non-Interstate highways.
Therefore, the maximum legal weights on non-Interstate highways are:
Exception: Weight limits for vehicles with tandem axles carrying forest products in their natural state shall be 40,000 pounds.
The maximum legal weight on a tire is: 650 pounds per inch width of tire
The sum of the legal axle weights on a vehicle or combination of vehicles is its legal gross weight. However, regardless of the number and type of axles, the maximum legal gross weight of any vehicle or combination of vehicles (except a combination with a tridum or quadrum axle) is: 80,000 pounds
Regardless of the number and type of axles, the maximum legal gross weight of any combination of vehicles which has a tridum or quadrum axle is: 83,400 pounds (Interstate Highways); 88,000 pounds (Non-Interstate Highways).
Vehicles may not exceed their licensed gross weight. Maximum licensed gross weight is equal to the maximum legal gross weight.
The law requires reasonable distribution of axle weight on tandem, tridum, and quadrum axle groups. Those vehicles and loads with permits that exceed the legal axle weight must comply with the axle weight distribution as described on page 19. All other vehicles and loads must comply with the following:
Road and structural design capacities dictate that, generally, the following weights will be the maximum weights for which overweight permits will be issued.
Off-Road Equipment | |
EACH SINGLE AXLE | 30,000 pounds |
EACH TANDEM AXLE | 60,000 pounds; NOTE: Any vehicle with a tandem axles weighing over 48,000 pounds must have removed all counterweights and other easily removable components. All previously approved off- road equipment with tandem axles exceeding 60,000 pounds must be reduced to at or below this maximum by January 1, 2001. In addition, no new approvals will be granted to vehicles exceeding the 60,000 pound tandem axle weight. |
EACH TRIDUM AXLE | 66,000 pounds; NOTE: Any vehicle with a tridum axle weighing over 60,000 pounds must have removed all counterweights and other easily removable components. |
MAXIMUM VEHICLE WEIGHT | In general, the maximum allowable gross weight of any single piece of off-road equipment is 212,000 pounds. Vehicles in excess of this weight may be allowed to move along a pre-approved route. In these cases, an analysis fee will be charged and added to the cost of the permit. |
All Other Vehicles | |
EACH SINGLE AXLE | 24,000 pounds if the gross vehicle weight is 120,000 pounds or less, but 20,000 pounds if the gross vehicle weight exceeds 120,000 pounds. |
EACH TANDEM AXLE GROUP | 48,000 pounds if the gross vehicle weight is 120,000 pounds or less, but 40,000 pounds if the gross vehicle weight exceeds 120,000 pounds—45,000 pounds if the gross vehicle weight exceeds 120,000 pounds and the spread between axle groups is a minimum of 12 feet and the spread between tires in a group is a minimum of 4 feet. |
EACH TRIDUM AXLE GROUP | 60,000 pounds |
EACH TANDEM TRUNION AXLE GROUP (16 tires) | 54,000 pounds |
When the gross vehicle weight exceeds 254,000 pounds: Permit requests for gross vehicle weights exceeding 254,000 pounds require detailed information. Inquiries should be directed to the Truck Permit Office well in advance of the movement (generally one month). Loads exceeding 900,000 pounds may require analysis from an independent engineering firm and additional time should be allowed for this analysis. Since railroads and navigable waterways are adequate for the movement of loads in excess of 254,000 pounds, these facilities must be used instead of highways, except for the hauling necessary to move a load from its origin to the nearest railway or waterway and/or to move a load from the railway or waterway to its destination
The law requires reasonable distribution of axle weight on tandem, tridum and quadrum axle groups. If a tandem, tridum or quadrum axle group is permitted for a weight which is less than or equal to the legal axle weight, then the axle must comply with the legal axle weight distribution. If the axle group is permitted for a weight which exceeds the legal axle weight, then the axle must comply with the following:
Tandem axles on vehicles with permits are properly distributed if neither of the individual axles carries more than 60% or less than 40% of the total tandem weight shown on the permit. |
Tridum axles on vehicles with permits are properly distributed if none of the individual axles carries more than 40% or less than 25% of the total tridum weight shown on the permit. |
Quadrum axles on vehicles with permits are properly distributed if none of the individual axles carries more than 30% or less than 20% of the total quadrum weight shown on the permit. |
Source of information: http://perba.dotd.louisiana.gov/welcome.nsf/RegBook2013.pdf