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Difficulty: HardWeight Definitions and Limits (GVWR, GCWR, Axle Weights)

An enforcement inspection at a highway weigh station records the following actual axle weights and vehicle plate ratings for a single-axle tractor coupled to a single-axle semi-trailer:

- Tractor Steer Axle: 10,500 lbs10,500\text{ lbs} (Steer GAWR: 12,500 lbs12,500\text{ lbs})
- Tractor Drive Axle: 20,500 lbs20,500\text{ lbs} (Drive GAWR: 22,000 lbs22,000\text{ lbs})
- Trailer Axle: 19,500 lbs19,500\text{ lbs} (Trailer GAWR: 20,000 lbs20,000\text{ lbs})
- Tractor Manufacturer GVWR: 32,000 lbs32,000\text{ lbs}
- Trailer Manufacturer GVWR: 26,000 lbs26,000\text{ lbs}
- Manufacturer Specified GCWR: 56,000 lbs56,000\text{ lbs}

Based on federal commercial vehicle weight regulations and equipment ratings, which finding correctly identifies the legal and operational status of this vehicle combination?

  1. A
    The vehicle is fully legal and compliant because each individual axle load is below its respective manufacturer Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and the total combination weight is under the Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR).
  2. The vehicle is operating illegally because the drive axle exceeds the federal statutory single-axle limit of 20,000 lbs20,000\text{ lbs}, despite remaining below the manufacturer Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).Answer
  3. C
    The vehicle is overloaded because the total actual combination weight exceeds the combined sum of the individual tractor and trailer Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR).
  4. D
    The vehicle is operating legally because the total gross combination weight of 50,500 lbs50,500\text{ lbs} is well below the federal statutory gross limit of 80,000 lbs80,000\text{ lbs} for interstate highways.

Answer

The vehicle is operating illegally because the drive axle exceeds the federal statutory single-axle limit of 20,000 lbs20,000\text{ lbs}, despite remaining below the manufacturer Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
Commercial motor vehicle operators must strictly observe both manufacturer structural ratings (GAWR, GVWR, GCWR) and statutory highway limits. When a statutory limit is lower than a manufacturer rating, the statutory limit legally governs. Under federal law for interstate highways, the maximum allowable load on a single axle is 20,000 lbs20,000\text{ lbs}. Because the drive axle is carrying 20,500 lbs20,500\text{ lbs}, it is overloaded by 500 lbs500\text{ lbs} under statutory law, making the operation illegal even though the drive axle's mechanical rating is 22,000 lbs22,000\text{ lbs}.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Calculate the total actual gross combination weight (GCW) and compare against manufacturer GCWR and federal gross limits.
Actual Gross Combination Weight is 10,500 lbs+20,500 lbs+19,500 lbs=50,500 lbs10,500\text{ lbs} + 20,500\text{ lbs} + 19,500\text{ lbs} = 50,500\text{ lbs}, which is within the 56,000 lbs56,000\text{ lbs} GCWR and below the 80,000 lbs80,000\text{ lbs} federal gross ceiling.
Ensures the entire combination does not exceed overall gross vehicle weight ratings or federal maximum gross limits.
2
Evaluate each axle load against its manufacturer Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
Steer axle: 10,500 lbs≤12,500 lbs10,500\text{ lbs} \le 12,500\text{ lbs}; Drive axle: 20,500 lbs≤22,000 lbs20,500\text{ lbs} \le 22,000\text{ lbs}; Trailer axle: 19,500 lbs≤20,000 lbs19,500\text{ lbs} \le 20,000\text{ lbs}. No manufacturer GAWR is exceeded.
Identifies whether any axle is structurally overloaded according to the manufacturer's mechanical specifications.
3
Evaluate each axle load against federal statutory highway limits (single axle limit = 20,000 lbs20,000\text{ lbs}).
The tractor drive axle carries 20,500 lbs20,500\text{ lbs}, which exceeds the federal statutory single-axle limit of 20,000 lbs20,000\text{ lbs} by 500 lbs500\text{ lbs}.
Commercial vehicles must comply with both manufacturer structural ratings and statutory highway limits; the more restrictive limit always governs.

Key Concept

Distinction between Manufacturer Ratings (GVWR/GCWR/GAWR) and Statutory Highway Limits
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Topics

Weight Definitions and Limits (GVWR, GCWR, Axle Weights)

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