What is the bridge law in California?

The state of California requires all tractor-trailer combinations to meet the King Pin to Rear Axle (KPRA) law. What does that mean to professional drivers? The center of the rear axle on all trailers must be at the 40-foot mark or shorter and must not weigh over 34,000 pounds on the trailer axles.

How is bridge law measured?

Multiply the number of axles times the distance in feet between the outer axles of any group of two or more consecutive axles. Then subtract one from the number of axles in the group under consideration.

How much is a bridge law ticket in California?

A violation of this law is charged as an infraction and results in a $25 fine.

What is the legal length of a car in California?

California Legal Truck: The 65-foot maximum length limit for vehicle combinations is codified in CVC Section 35401 which is copied here in part: 35401. (a) "... a combination of vehicles coupled together, ..., may not exceed a total length of 65 feet."

How far back can I move my tandems?

When the distance between the first axle of your tandems is 35 feet from the rear axle on your tandems to the last axle of your trailer tandems, you will have to reduce the amount of weight that you load onto your truck.

How to: measure the California bridge law (40ft mark)

Does California require skirts on trailers?

Under the rule, all 53-foot box-type trailers (dry or refrigerated) must be equipped with Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay-approved side skirts or tail fairings that improve fuel economy from 4% to 5%, in addition to low-rolling-resistance tires (either standard or wide-base singles).

Where should your tandems be in California?

Measure 10 feet from the rear of the trailer and make a mark with tape, pen, or something that will not damage the side of the trailer. Do not include the hinge or any other part of the trailer. Slide the tandems to the 40-foot mark.

What hole is the 40 foot mark?

Say you get a load to CA, the maximum kingpin setting isin the 6th hole (40ft from center of rear axle to kingpin). Prime does it by holes instead of feet because it's easier to understand.

What is bridge law?

The bridge formula law was enacted by the U.S. Congress to limit the weight-to-length ratio of heavy trucks, and to protect roads and bridges from the damage caused by the concentrated weight of shorter trucks.

How do you calculate bridge weight?

W = 500(LN/N-1 + 12N + 36)

W = Overall gross weight on any group of 2 or more consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds. L = Distance in feet between the extreme of any group of 2 or more consecutive axles. N = Number of axles in the group under consideration.

What is the lowest bridge height?

The federal government recommends that bridges on public roads have a clearance of at least 14 feet. This ensures that trucks shorter than the maximum truck height — 13 feet, 6 inches in most states — can pass underneath them safely.

What is the legal weight for a 53 foot trailer in California?

(a) The gross weight on any one axle shall not exceed 20,000 pounds, and the gross weight upon any one wheel, or wheels, supporting one end of an axle, shall not exceed 10,500 pounds.

What is max gross weight?

maximum gross weight means the weight of a vehicle laden with the heaviest load which it is constructed or adapted to carry; Sample 1.

Are 53 foot trailers allowed in California?

Exceptions - STAA Vehicles

The semitrailer is not more than 53 feet in length, with two or more rear axles and a maximum 40' KPRA, or with a single axle and a maximum 38-foot KPRA.

What is the maximum length of a vehicle and trailer?

A truck and semitrailer combination may not exceed 65 feet in overall length. A truck and trailer combination may not exceed 65 feet in overall length. 65 feet max. The length of a single vehicle, other than a truck tractor, may not exceed 45 feet.

Is trailer insurance required in California?

Trailers used for commercial purposes and more expensive trailers such as campers and livestock carriers will require you to purchase specialized trailer insurance if you want to have full coverage for them.

What is the maximum length your tandems Cannot exceed?

In addition to Bridge Formula weight limits, Federal law states that single axles are limited to 20,000 pounds, and axles spaced more than 40 inches and not more than 96 inches apart (tandem axles) are limited to 34,000 pounds. Gross vehicle weight is limited to 80,000 pounds (23 U.S.C. 127).

How many holes do you need to slide tandems?

To shift weight off the drive axles and onto the trailer tandems, you slide the trailer tandems forward toward the front of the truck. With 6 inch spacing you're moving 400 pounds per hole so you need to move 4 holes to shift a minimum of 1,400 pounds (400 x 4 = 1,600).

How far back can you load a 53 foot trailer?

You can load anywhere from 26 to 30 standard 40×48-inch pallets on a 53-foot trailer — 26 if you load them straight in (48-inch measurements from front to back), or 30 of you turn half the pallets sideways.

Why do Michigan trucks have so many axles?

The use of heavy trucks under Michigan's axle-weight law enhances highway safety. There are fewer trucks on the road because each 164,000-pound truck can carry the cargo of about two and a quarter 80,000-pound trucks.

What is a tridem axle?

A tridem axle group is comprised of three axles that are. equally spaced and equally share the load; all axles within the. group are attached to a common framework and all are equipped. with identical tire and wheel assemblies.

How much weight can you have on your steer axle?

What is the Weight Limit for Steer Axles? The steer axles — located at the front of a semi-truck — typically hoist 12,000 to 15,000 pounds (or 6,000 to 7,5000 pounds on each tire).