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Big shippers make pitch to allow heavier trucks

Tennessean -- Big shippers want to use much heavier trucks on U.S. highways to speed goods to market, but critics say supersize trucks tilting the scales at nearly 50 tons each would further scar an already crumbling national network of roads and bridges.

“We want a common-sense approach to get some productivity gains,” argues Tommy Hodges, owner of Titan Transfer, which runs a fleet of 350 long-haul trucks from Shelbyville, Tenn. “This is a way we can be a good steward to get goods to people at as low a cost as possible.”

A proposal now playing out in Congress would raise the maximum weight of tractor-trailer rigs to 97,000 pounds from the current 80,000 pounds. To make it more palatable to state and federal highway officials, it also would add a sixth axle to big trucks to spread the extra weight an

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Submitted Feb 23, 2012 By: DellDude2

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SUPPER Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:2,473 Points:1,287,745 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 3:06:29 PM Ignore SUPPER Report Abuse WOW
packards42 Champion Author Washington Posts:6,442 Points:1,127,615 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 10:31:17 AM Ignore packards42 Report Abuse 44 ton is enough, I seen what oversize truck do to public road in The Middle East. Damage and the public pays. Maybe if these truck are required to pay double on the their licensing fees they think twice about extra loads. and axles.
jerej829 Champion Author Memphis Posts:2,851 Points:692,990 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 10:27:58 AM Ignore jerej829 Report Abuse Ok
PetroPedro All-Star Author Florida Posts:771 Points:166,400 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 9:46:55 AM Ignore PetroPedro Report Abuse For all you people who say "Make them pay for the road repairs" Do you seriously believe trucking companies aare going to 'eat' the damage their trucks cause to the roads? They will do as all companies do when the cost of services go up....pass it on. Which eventually falls into the laps of consumer prices going up. Just like gasoline (or diesel) when the price of gas goes up the price of 'milk & bread' goes up. Funny thing, too, prices always go up but rarely return to original prices.
pbug101 Champion Author Georgia Posts:2,454 Points:578,925 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 7:33:27 AM Ignore pbug101 Report Abuse ok
Amendes Champion Author Fresno Posts:2,515 Points:531,765 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 3:09:21 AM Ignore Amendes Report Abuse OK
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,995 Points:2,345,510 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 3:08:08 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Big shippers make pitch to allow heavier trucks and the more the roads and bridges will get beat up from the additional weight. The heavier weight trucks, the more taxes for road and bridge repair they will have to pay. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
N5EXY Champion Author Austin Posts:5,490 Points:1,509,590 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 1:02:16 AM Ignore N5EXY Report Abuse Big truck little Volt what a jolt.
nomad228 Champion Author Columbus Posts:3,117 Points:575,140 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:27:38 AM Ignore nomad228 Report Abuse (1) did n't they just have a 30-40 car and semi truck pile up on the freeway in the news becasue no one could see.this is one reason no bigger truck should be allowed on the roads. (2)isn't that what trains are for and why the gov'ment wanted to build a high speed rail system in the states. : ) (3) bigger trucks cause bigger traffic jambs and accidents(4)bigger vehicles use more diesel.(5)in order to be able to use these giant trucks all intersections would have to be widened and given a more gradual turning curve.(6) do you really want bigger trucks on the roads trashing the roadways making giant chuckholes in the road,casuing more wear and tear on your vehicle.(7)do you really wan t bigger loads spilled on the roads when one of these trucks jack-knifes or rolls over with a inexperienced driver takes a turn to fast.
Raider44 Champion Author Allentown Posts:1,068 Points:1,580,555 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:16:47 AM Ignore Raider44 Report Abuse Heavier trucks + smaller cars = more fatalities Heavier trucks = more road maintenance = more taxes Heavier trucks = more profits to shippers
rawdog1313 Champion Author Lexington Posts:3,299 Points:1,642,805 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:15:50 AM Ignore rawdog1313 Report Abuse Roads are in bad enough shape and lord knows the GOP want go for any infrastructure "jobs" bill....
RBob Champion Author Portland Posts:3,369 Points:2,346,900 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:15:07 AM Ignore RBob Report Abuse Be careful. Oregon is paying lots of dollars for bridge repairs for allowing tripple trailers and thus the heavier loads. Rather see the heavy stuff go by rail.
satrn38mpg Champion Author Raleigh Posts:5,067 Points:1,053,040 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:14:40 AM Ignore satrn38mpg Report Abuse all about the mighty dollar >>
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:10,532 Points:1,857,395 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:14:01 AM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse Can't they see the big picture?
rawdog1313 Champion Author Lexington Posts:3,299 Points:1,642,805 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:13:42 AM Ignore rawdog1313 Report Abuse Terrible idea!!
gocatgo Champion Author South Carolina Posts:15,642 Points:2,528,605 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:12:52 AM Ignore gocatgo Report Abuse Just what the interstate highway system needs a way to make more pot holes. Thanks but no thanks.
JesseJack52 All-Star Author Virginia Beach Posts:628 Points:127,835 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:12:37 AM Ignore JesseJack52 Report Abuse It's definitely needed
golftellowcat Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,442 Points:691,900 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:12:28 AM Ignore golftellowcat Report Abuse Old news
regout Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,950 Points:831,730 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:12:08 AM Ignore regout Report Abuse Not on the road use the railway.
pyndasky Champion Author Maryland Posts:10,000 Points:1,781,805 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:10:58 AM Ignore pyndasky Report Abuse which is better... a few super heavy trucks or many heavy trucks?
judgemobile Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,570 Points:2,445,135 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:10:30 AM Ignore judgemobile Report Abuse so are they ADMITTING that Bummer's Stimulus plan of spending BILLIONS on infrastructure since 2009 DID NOT WORK ??
LegoVasavouchi Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:1,659 Points:114,390 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:10:28 AM Ignore LegoVasavouchi Report Abuse Fascinating.
bdlewis Champion Author Colorado Posts:1,384 Points:382,905 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:09:09 AM Ignore bdlewis Report Abuse train it.
Blue_Cruzer Champion Author Lexington Posts:7,515 Points:1,668,610 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:08:31 AM Ignore Blue_Cruzer Report Abuse Who would pay for the damage to the roads by these heavier loads?
panda317 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,244 Points:685,450 Joined:Aug 2002	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:08:04 AM Ignore panda317 Report Abuse ok
NatureBoyKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:3,360 Points:1,294,975 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:07:41 AM Ignore NatureBoyKY Report Abuse Just say Train, not Truck. This is a bad idea.
jem069 Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,538 Points:687,080 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:06:57 AM Ignore jem069 Report Abuse ok
grandamgt1 Champion Author Illinois Posts:2,341 Points:1,239,350 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:05:09 AM Ignore grandamgt1 Report Abuse Logistical nightmare in the making.
amgine27 Champion Author New York Posts:1,268 Points:305,715 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:05:05 AM Ignore amgine27 Report Abuse ok
TheSicilian Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:5,374 Points:1,469,525 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:03:46 AM Ignore TheSicilian Report Abuse put them on trains
LoneGuy Champion Author Lansing Posts:8,475 Points:2,317,020 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:02:59 AM Ignore LoneGuy Report Abuse The extra set of wheels will make a difference.
speedys Champion Author Utah Posts:7,015 Points:2,558,845 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:01:35 AM Ignore speedys Report Abuse I hope they check out all the pros and cons.
Pumpz Sophomore Author Boston Posts:197 Points:887,125 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:00:24 AM Ignore Pumpz Report Abuse why the posts that say 'ok?'
SparkieMi Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:3,258 Points:588,325 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 11:59:50 PM Ignore SparkieMi Report Abuse Good post GoGoGoodear...
bif65 Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,023 Points:195,355 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 11:55:29 PM Ignore bif65 Report Abuse ok
SilverBullet11 Rookie Author Arkansas Posts:40 Points:494,600 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 11:52:36 PM Ignore SilverBullet11 Report Abuse I agree with GoGoGoodyear.
suzmar Champion Author Texas Posts:2,212 Points:871,990 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 11:50:49 PM Ignore suzmar Report Abuse They want heavier trucks and the EPA is forcing auto makers to make lighter cars to meat CAFE standards. Sounds like more fatalities to me.
leemun Champion Author Utah Posts:5,528 Points:1,039,150 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 11:50:10 PM Ignore leemun Report Abuse I agree with the posters who advocate for rail. Use of fuel is exponentially less. No impact on the public infrastructure. Proper management and de-unionization of railroads could make it real. Dagny Taggert provides the role model.
SparkieMi Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:3,258 Points:588,325 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 11:47:55 PM Ignore SparkieMi Report Abuse I agree with DEG...
gass12 Champion Author Omaha Posts:8,389 Points:2,303,715 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 11:47:34 PM Ignore gass12 Report Abuse We don!t need anymore weight on the highway.
gd83goldwinger Champion Author South Bend Posts:1,428 Points:504,230 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 11:46:37 PM Ignore gd83goldwinger Report Abuse If they pay more for road repair it sounds good and more axles.
rxman1 Champion Author Toledo Posts:9,545 Points:1,861,895 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 11:45:05 PM Ignore rxman1 Report Abuse Use trains.
GoGoGoodyear Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,049 Points:507,105 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 11:44:12 PM Ignore GoGoGoodyear Report Abuse Increasing the weight limit will only benefit the freight trucking companies. What they save by hauling larger loads they won't pass along to the consumer. What they will pay in higher taxes and fees thew WILL pass along to the consumer. Congress already dips into the transportation fund so there is not enough money to make needed road repairs. If the freight companies pay higher taxes and fees do you think it will be used for the intended purpose of road repairs or will Congress just take it for other uses?? One last thing, the truckers are not greedy. They barely make a living. I worked in a freight company office and saw examples of that every day. However the freight companies that they work for is another matter entirely.
DEG Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:17,620 Points:3,494,705 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 11:42:59 PM Ignore DEG Report Abuse If larger trucks are allowed there should be a larger fee associated with being allowed to drive these trucks (enough to cover the difference in damage).
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,305 Points:1,637,945 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 11:35:42 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse $3.79/GAL HERE IN EAST PEORIA IL.....GIVE ME A BREAK!!
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,066 Points:1,731,235 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 11:35:11 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse no thanks I pay for enough road repairs already
sylver7 Rookie Author San Antonio Posts:45 Points:1,530 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 11:34:40 PM Ignore sylver7 Report Abuse I see more 18 wheelers on I35 to and from Laredo on my rural stretch of highway than cars some days. I hadn't thought about how many tons are rolling along side me. Yikes!
HEBster Champion Author Kentucky Posts:8,783 Points:2,373,050 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 11:34:09 PM Ignore HEBster Report Abuse Doesn't sound like a good idea!
amearly Champion Author Michigan Posts:12,114 Points:2,466,635 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 11:33:58 PM Ignore amearly Report Abuse Than should pay a higher tax.
Toppers Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,007 Points:2,469,720 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2012 11:31:41 PM Ignore Toppers Report Abuse Get the roads in order...