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LENGTH OF THE CARGO–CARRYING UNITS: 102 feet
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT: 143,000 pounds
OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS:
WEIGHT: The following information pertains to tandem trailer combinations with either trailer more than 28.5 feet long but not more than 48 feet long. A nine–axle combination vehicle may not exceed a total maximum gross weight of 143,000 pounds. An eight–axle combination vehicle may not exceed a total maximum gross weight of 138,400 pounds. The maximum gross weight that may be carried upon any combination of units is limited by the maximum gross weight that can be carried upon the axles as follows. For a nine–axle combination: drive axles — 36,000 pounds, axles four/five — 36,000 pounds, axles six/seven — 27,000 pounds, and axles eight/nine — 36,000 pounds. A minimum 12–foot axle spacing between the fifth and sixth axles is also required on the nine–axle LCV. For an eight–axle combination: drive axles — 36,000 pounds, axles four/five — 36,000 pounds, sixth axle — 22,400 pounds, and axles seven/eight — 36,000 pounds. The eight–axle LCV has no minimum axle–spacing requirements. For gross weights in excess of 138,400 pounds the combination must include a tandem–axle dolly to meet the nine–axle requirements. Maximum permissible gross weight for B–train combination is 127,000 pounds.
When the gross weight of the two trailers in a tandem combination vary more than 20 percent, the heaviest of the two must be placed in the lead position.
For tandem trailer combinations in which neither trailing unit exceeds 28.5 feet in length the following maximum allowable weights apply: for a single axle — 28,000 pounds (except that steering axles may not exceed 22,400 pounds), for a tandem axle — 42,500 pounds, for a tri–axle — 52,500 pounds. The gross weight may not exceed 100,000 pounds or the manufacturers gross weight rating, whichever is lower.
DRIVER: For operation on highways under the jurisdiction of the New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA), except for the full length of I–84 and that portion of I–287 from Thruway exit 8 to I–95, the driver must have a commercial driver’s license with the appropriate endorsement, and hold a Tandem Trailer Driver’s Permit issued by the NYSTA. In order to obtain an NYSTA driver’s permit, an applicant must (1) hold a valid commercial driver’s license with multiple–trailer endorsement; (2) be over 26 years old, in good health, and have at least 5 years of provable experience driving tractor–trailer combinations; and (3) meet all other application requirements with regard to driving history established by the NYSTA. Qualified drivers receive a Tandem Trailer Driver’s Permit for Tandem Vehicle Operation which is valid only for the operation of the certified equipment owned by the company to which the permit is issued.
For operation on highways under the jurisdiction of the New York State DOT, cities not wholly included in one county, the full length of I–84 and that portion of I–287 from Thruway exit 8 to I–95, the driver must have a commercial driver’s license with the appropriate endorsement.
VEHICLE: All vehicles must meet the requirements of applicable Federal and State statutes, rules, and regulations. Vehicles operating on highways under the jurisdiction of the NYSTA, except for the full length of I–84 and that portion of I–287 from Thruway exit 8 to I–95, must also meet the following additional requirements. The tractor manufacturer and the permittee shall certify to the NYSTA prior to the approval of the tractor that it is capable of hauling the maximum permissible gross load at a speed of not less than 20 miles per hour on all portions of the thruway system.
The brakes on any vehicle, dolly converter, or combination of vehicles shall comply with 49 CFR 393 and, in addition, any vehicle or dolly converter shall meet the provisions of the New York State Traffic Law.
Tandem trailer operations shall be equipped, at a minimum, with emergency equipment as required by 49 CFR 393, subpart H, as amended, tire chains from October 15 to May 1 of each year, a fire extinguisher with an aggregate rating of 20BC, and each trailer with specific lamps and reflectors.
All tractors certified by the NYSTA for use with tandem trailers will be assigned an identification number by the NYSTA which must be placed on the vehicle. The number must be at least 3 inches in height and visible to a person standing at ground level opposite the driver’s position in the cab.
Axle Type. Tractors to be used for hauling 110,000 pounds or more shall be equipped with tandem rear axles, both with driving power. Tractors to be used for hauling 110,000 pounds or less may have a single drive axle. Tandem combinations using single wheel tires commonly referred to as ”Super Singles” are required to use triple–axle tractors, dual–axle trailers, and dual–axle dollies.
Dollies. Every converter dolly certified on and after June 1, 1968, used to convert a semitrailer to a full trailer may have either single or tandem axles at the option of the permittee. Single–axle dollies may not utilize low profile tires. Combination vehicles with a gross weight in excess of 138,400 pounds must have a tandem–axle dolly to meet the nine–axle requirement. If the distance between two semitrailers is 10 feet or more, the dolly shall be equipped with a device or the trailers connected along the sides with suitable material to indicate they are in effect one unit. The devices or connection shall be approved by the NYSTA prior to use on a tandem trailer combination. The NYSTA tandem–trailer provisions require that converter dollies shall be coupled with one or more safety chains or cables to the frame or an extension of the frame of the motor vehicle by which it is towed. Each dolly converter must also be equipped with mud flaps. Tandem combinations using a sliding fifth wheel attached to the lead trailer, known as a “B–Train” combination, will require a separate Thruway Engineer Service approval prior to the initial tandem run. Special provisions regarding B–Trains will be reviewed at the time of the application or request for use on the Thruway.
PERMIT: For operation on highways under the jurisdiction of the New York State DOT, cities not wholly included in one county, or the following highway sections under NYSTA jurisdiction; the full length of I–84 and that portion of I–287 from Thruway exit 8 to I–95, a permit to exceed the weight limits set forth in §385(15) of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law must be obtained from the State DOT, city involved, or the NYSTA. A fee is charged for the permit.
For operation on highways under the jurisdiction of the NYSTA, except for the full length of I–84 and that portion of I–287 from Thruway exit 8 to I–95, companies must file an application for a Tandem Trailer Permit with the NYSTA. Permits are issued to such companies upon meeting qualifications, including insurance, for tandem combinations over 65 feet in length. No permit fee is charged; however, Thruway tolls are charged for each use of the Thruway, and the equipment must be certified by the NYSTA annually. The annual re–certification of equipment is handled by:
Transportation of hazardous materials is subject to special restrictions plus 49 CFR 397 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
ACCESS: For tandem trailer combinations with either trailer more than 28.5 feet long but not more than 48 feet long, the following access is available to authorized operating routes.
I–87 (New York Thruway) Access provided at Thruway Exit 21B to or from a point 1,500 feet north of the Thruway on US 9W.
I–90 (NYSTA–Berkshire Section) access provided at:
I–90 (New York Thruway) access provided at:
I–190 (NYSTA – Niagara Section) access provided at:
Tandem trailer combinations in which neither trailing unit exceeds 28.5 feet in length are restricted to the Designated Qualifying and Access Highway System.
ROUTES: For tandem trailer combinations with either trailer more than 28.5 feet long, but not more than 48 feet long, the following routes are available:
From | To | |
---|---|---|
I–87 (New York Thruway) | Bronx/Westchester County Line | Thruway Exit 24 |
I–90 (New York Thruway) | Pennsylvania | Thruway Exit 24 |
I–90 (New York Thruway Berkshire Section) | Thruway Exit B–1 | Massachusetts |
I–190 (New York Thruway Niagara Section) | Thruway Exit 53 | Int’l Border with Canada |
NY 912M (Berkshire Connection of the New York Thruway) | Thruway Exit 21A B–1 | Thruway Exit |
Tandem trailer combinations in which neither trailing unit exceeds 28.5 feet in length may operate on all NN Highways.
LEGAL CITATIONS:
Public Authorities Law – Title 9, sec. 350, et. seq. (section 361 is most relevant)
New York State Thruway Authority Rules & Regulations, sections 100.6, 100.8, and 103.13
New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law, sections 385 and 1630