Flatbed trailer loading

[RBeard]

I have a 24' GN,2-6K axles,Is there a rule of thumb on loading it near gross(pallet spacing) so I don't overgross per axle wt. rating and pin wt. on truck. (palletized freight 2K per pallet) :--)

 

[R C Cola]

Loading

If I may take a shot at this. 2K PER PALLET=4000# IN 4FT LINEAL SPACE

24 FEET LONG= x 6 PALLETS= 24000 TOTAL POSSIBLE LOAD! OOPS !

OVERLOADED. 2 X 6000 # AXLES = 12000 GROSS POSSIBLE ON TRAILER

DIVIDED BY 2000 PER PALLET = SIX PALLETS (3 ROWS X 2 WIDE) = 12 FEET

ASSUMING PALLET SIZE IS 4 FT SQUARE.

With duals more flexability is possible. If SRW loading the middle row centered between the two axles works very well. This leaves the empty tongue weight and loaded fairly close which will not over load your rear axle.

Other option is load the center row of pallets centered over the forward axle as this will give more tongue weight if desired. Keep your rows close together on either and most of the weight will be on the trailer.

Any additional weight would have to ride on the rear axle of the truck (weight on the tongue of the trailer). My trailer has a 1100 pound tongue weight leaving me only about 2200 max weight of freight to sit on the rear axle of the truck. On a 3/4 ton even less weight can sit on the rear axle.

You will want to check your sticker.

Lots of people overload these trucks, but the DOT loves to write big tickets if you are commercial. I highly reccomend you scale out with loads in place to know you are legal. . $8. 00 well spent at a truck stop.

I am sure there are some other drivers that can offer even more info of use.

Good Luck... . R C

 

[aaronisbad]

Try to distribute the weight as low as possible. Load somewhat lighter on your truck axles than on the trailer.



Dont forget to add actual weight of the trailer, trailer weight must be subtracted from gross to find allowable load on trailer. This goes the same for your truck.



Gvwr minus Net Weight = Maximum allowable load



We are short a few variables to complete your equation. How many pallets would be the biggest question? And my little formula only works for truck or trailer alone, not both.



Something else I would be concerned about. I assume this is a wooden deck on your trailer? Your pressure per square inch is very high and it would be very likely your pallets can sink right through a less than sturdy trailer deck. At 2K per pallet make dang sure you line those pallets up with the steel cross braces of your trailer for support. You might even consider using an extra layer of plywood (nailed down) to help evenly distrubute your load.