TCA Changes on Weight Limit; Backs Higher 88,000-Pound Cap
PHOENIX — The Truckload Carriers Association has changed its long-standing support of the status quo on truck weight limits in announcing a new preference in favor of an 88,000-pound gross vehicle weight, up the from the current 80,000-pound federal limit.
Looking at highways clogged with worsening congestion, a reigniting driver shortage and infrastructure plans that cannot get to the execution stage, TCA’s board of directors decided it was imperative to support greater truck productivity, two of the group’s leaders said here.
“We don’t want to be forced into buying new equipment,” said TCA Chairman John Kaburick. “But there is a driver shortage and we believe we can increase productivity.”
Kaburick and TCA President Chris Burruss said after TCA’s board meeting Saturday that the 88,000-pound figure was chosen carefully by an association study group as a way to increase productivity with current models of tractors and twin-axle trailers. Other proposals in the industry call for a 97,000-pound limit, but with triple-axle trailers.
“This was a unanimous vote by our Highway Policy Committee and the board of directors,” Burruss said.
TCA’s meeting was held here in conjunction with American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition, which finishes Tuesday.
TCA has historically balked at increasing the GVW limit because of worries that smaller carriers will be compelled to make tremendous capital expenditures for new tractors and trailers in the face of slowly increasing or static freight rates.
