Heavier loads

Apr 25, 2026 at 03:19 PM CST + 2 - 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Just saw a YouTube short talking about heavier bulk loads. I've been hauling 164000# loads in Michigan for 48 years. Let's talk about it.

Replied on Mon, Apr 27, 2026 at 08:11 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. And Michigan highways demonstrate why the heavy weight is a poor idea.

Replied on Mon, Apr 27, 2026 at 01:53 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Not enough money being paid for the extra axles, wear and tear!

Replied on Tue, Apr 28, 2026 at 07:48 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "Not enough money being paid for the extra axles, wear and tear!" My powder tanks are on a dedicated 580 mile turn. We haul by the ton but by the mile it pays $2.85 with my fuel pegged at $2.50. 122000# gross, just a tick over 80000# net. 5 axles down on the empty side, 7 down on the loaded side. 5.79mpg lifetime average with a Wesrern Star 4900, 16L Detroit, 18spd manual, 3.90 rar. The 11 axle gravel trains realize much better revenue.

Replied on Tue, Apr 28, 2026 at 07:48 AM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "Not enough money being paid for the extra axles, wear and tear!"

My powder tanks are on a dedicated 580 mile turn. We haul by the ton but by the mile it pays $2.85 with my fuel pegged at $2.50. 122000# gross, just a tick over 80000# net. 5 axles down on the empty side, 7 down on the loaded side. 5.79mpg lifetime average with a Wesrern Star 4900, 16L Detroit, 18spd manual, 3.90 rar. The 11 axle gravel trains realize much better revenue.

Replied on Wed, Apr 29, 2026 at 08:39 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. That’s a solid setup and impressive efficiency for that weight. Out of curiosity, when you’re dealing with the HVUT side of things at those gross weights, are you usually filing the 2290s yourself or having someone handle it for the fleet? I’ve seen a lot of guys move to fully e-filing now just to keep Schedule 1s ready for plates/renewals without delays.

Replied on Wed, Apr 29, 2026 at 08:39 AM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

That’s a solid setup and impressive efficiency for that weight.

Out of curiosity, when you’re dealing with the HVUT side of things at those gross weights, are you usually filing the 2290s yourself or having someone handle it for the fleet?

I’ve seen a lot of guys move to fully e-filing now just to keep Schedule 1s ready for plates/renewals without delays.

Replied on Thu, Apr 30, 2026 at 08:07 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. We file our federal tax ourselves

Replied on Fri, May 01, 2026 at 08:24 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Honest questions from someone trying to learn how heavy haul actually works in the real world What usually limits a heavy haul first — gross weight, axle configuration, or route? How far in advance do you typically need permits finalized before pickup? Which states or regions create the most challenges for heavy loads? What information do you need up front to quote a heavy haul accurately? Do you price heavy hauls more on mileage, total time, or complexity? How often do permits, escorts, or routing cause schedule changes? At what point does a load stop being worth it, even at a high rate? What do brokers most often misunderstand about heavy haul moves? What makes a broker good to work with on overweight freight?

Replied on Fri, May 01, 2026 at 08:24 AM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Honest questions from someone trying to learn how heavy haul actually works in the real world
What usually limits a heavy haul first — gross weight, axle configuration, or route?
How far in advance do you typically need permits finalized before pickup?
Which states or regions create the most challenges for heavy loads?
What information do you need up front to quote a heavy haul accurately?
Do you price heavy hauls more on mileage, total time, or complexity?
How often do permits, escorts, or routing cause schedule changes?
At what point does a load stop being worth it, even at a high rate?
What do brokers most often misunderstand about heavy haul moves?
What makes a broker good to work with on overweight freight?

Replied on Fri, May 01, 2026 at 01:58 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. I can't help you with permit loads. All our hauling is bulk commodities,intrastate, Michigan only.

Replied on Sun, May 03, 2026 at 11:33 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "And Michigan highways demonstrate why the heavy weight is a poor idea." I don't think that's true. Freeze, thaw, drainage, initial road bed construction etc. Years of trial and error and neglect. I haven't been over there for a couple of years but just prior to that, say five or so years ago they made some huge improvements on some major roads. I/196. I/69. Even I/94, which was really bad for alot of years.

Replied on Sun, May 03, 2026 at 11:33 AM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "And Michigan highways demonstrate why the heavy weight is a poor idea."

I don't think that's true. Freeze, thaw, drainage, initial road bed construction etc. Years of trial and error and neglect. I haven't been over there for a couple of years but just prior to that, say five or so years ago they made some huge improvements on some major roads. I/196. I/69. Even I/94, which was really bad for alot of years.

Replied on Mon, May 04, 2026 at 08:29 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. I don't haul in other states, so I probably don't notice road condition while in my pick-up. I do, however, believe that Michigans roads would be worse with twice the amount of heavy vehicle traffic. Our weight laws here allow greater quantities of freight with less miles traveled. The axle weights are less than the Federal Bridge Law allows. To me, it appears more efficient.

Replied on Mon, May 04, 2026 at 08:29 AM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

I don't haul in other states, so I probably don't notice road condition while in my pick-up. I do, however, believe that Michigans roads would be worse with twice the amount of heavy vehicle traffic. Our weight laws here allow greater quantities of freight with less miles traveled. The axle weights are less than the Federal Bridge Law allows. To me, it appears more efficient.

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