3. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
• Inspect your cargo
• Recognize overloads & poor balance
• Know it is secured
• Know it does not block emergency equipment
4. INSPECT CARGO
• Pre-trip
• After starting – within first 50 miles
• Re-check as often as necessary and:
• After driving for 3 hours or 150 miles and
• After every break you take during driving
5. WEIGHT AND BALANCE
• Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) – total of a single vehicle and load
• Gross Combination Weight (GCW) – total of a powered unit + trailer +
cargo
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) – maximum GVW by
manufacturer for single vehicle plus load
• Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) – maximum GCW by
manufacturer for a specific combination of vehicles plus load
6. WEIGHT AND BALANCE
• Axle Weight – weight transmitted to ground by one axle or a set of
axles
• Tire Load – maximum safe weight a tire can carry at a specified
pressure
• Suspension Systems – manufacturer’s weight capacity rating
• Coupling Device Capacity – maximum weight they can pull and/or
carry
7. LEGAL WEIGHT LIMITS
• State maximums
• Bridge formula may be applicable
• Effects of overloading
• Weather or terrain may limit safe weight
9. BALANCE THE WEIGHT
• Poor weight balance affects vehicle handling
• Too much weight on steering axle
• Under-loaded front axles
• Too much weight on driving axles
• Under-loaded drive axles
10. SECURING CARGO
• Blocking
• Bracing
• Cargo tie downs
• Federal regulations
• 1 tie down for each 10 feet of cargo
• All loads must have at least 2 tie downs
• Header board
• Covering cargo
• Sealed/containerized loads
