Trucking industry wants bigger trucks on the road

The industry contends that an increase of the federal maximum weight from the current 80,000 pounds to 97,000 pounds would promote efficiency and reduce congestion and pollution without compromising safety.

Opponents, however, worry about safety.

Teamsters union and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association are opposed to the increase.

Pulling triple trailers (trips) is the most common way of hauling heavier loads.

At present there are only 13 states that allow pulling triple trailers. They are: Colorado, Idaho, Indiana (turnpike only), Kansas (turnpike only), Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio (turnpike only), Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, and Utah.


Pulling trips is not new. A 1928 photo below shows a Mack AC pulling triple tank trailers for Humble Oil and Refining.


Link here and here.