How to Avoid Being Overweight at the Scales

Weigh your empty combo — Take your tractor and trailer (the specific trailer, not just any trailer) to a CAT Scale and weigh them empty with a full fuel tank and your personal items. Record steer, drive, and trailer axle weights separately.

Calculate your payload capacity — Subtract your empty weight from 80,000 lbs. Example: if your empty combo weighs 33,500 lbs, your max payload is 46,500 lbs. Keep this number memorized or posted in your cab.

Account for trailer differences — Different trailers have different empty weights. A standard dry van weighs 13,000-16,000 lbs empty. A reefer weighs 15,000-19,000 lbs due to the refrigeration unit. Know the weight of each trailer you pull.

Ask for load weight upfront — Before backing into the dock, ask the shipper for the total weight of the freight being loaded. Compare it to your available payload. If the freight weight plus your empty weight exceeds 80,000 lbs, tell the shipper immediately.

Check the bill of lading — The BOL should list the weight of the freight. Verify this number matches what the shipper told you. If there is a discrepancy, ask for clarification before leaving.

Request proper load distribution — Ask the shipper to spread the weight evenly across the trailer floor. Concentrated weight (all heavy pallets on one end) creates axle weight problems even when the gross is under 80,000 lbs.

Refuse overweight loads — You have the legal right to refuse a load that will put you over weight. Do not let a shipper pressure you into hauling an overweight load. The fine, CSA points, and safety risk are yours, not theirs.

Find the nearest CAT Scale — Use the free Weigh My Truck app to find CAT Scale locations near the shipper. Plan your post-loading route to include a scale stop.

Check all three axle groups — The scale will give you steer, drive, and trailer weights. Even if your gross is under 80,000, check each axle group against its limit (steer: 12,000-14,000, drives: 34,000, trailer: 34,000).

Reweigh guarantee — CAT Scale's reweigh guarantee means if you weigh legal on their scale but get ticketed at a state scale, CAT Scale pays the fine. No other scale company offers this protection.

Beverages and canned goods — Water, soda, beer, and canned foods are extremely dense. A full trailer of bottled water can easily exceed 80,000 lbs. Always verify the pallet count and individual pallet weight before loading begins.

Building materials — Lumber, concrete, drywall, and steel are all high-density commodities. Flatbed loads of steel coils and building materials are among the most common overweight violations.

Paper products — Rolls of paper, printing paper, and paper packaging are surprisingly heavy. A full load of paper rolls can gross out a truck quickly.

Agricultural products — Grain, produce, and animal feed are dense commodities. Liquid loads (milk, juice) are especially tricky because the weight shifts during transport.

Bridge formula states — Some states enforce the federal bridge formula more strictly than others. Your axle spacing determines additional weight limits beyond the basic 34,000 lb tandem limit.

Tolerance states — Some states allow a small tolerance (500-1,000 lbs) over the limit before issuing a citation. Others have zero tolerance. Never rely on tolerance — aim to be under the limit.

Higher-weight states — Michigan allows up to 164,000 lbs on certain state routes with enough axles. Other states may allow higher weights on non-interstate roads with permits.