Bridge Weight Ratings?

[Gary.Jones]

Well, it finally happened. DW and I both misread a road sign and turned south on south AZ 83 rather than stay straight ahead on AZ 83 (north). The signage was TERRIBLE (!!) and 1 of our 2 GPSs was saying to make the turn. It seemed dumb to me but we did it. That led us on a 5 mile ride through AZ wine country on a road that was a little small. I became seriously concerned at our routing. Asked some locals and they said just make a left at intersection and we would go back to our intended route. BUT, I noticed that at that intersection there was a bridge over a creek maybe 150' long which said "10 ton maximum" rating. After much thought, I disconnected the toad, turned the Anthem around, re-hitched the Honda and retraced back to the bad turn. Before I finished, I saw a ~ 30 or 35' RV crossed the bridge.

I am not a civil or structural engineer and I need some knowledge. How critical are those ratings? Did I do the right thing, or was I too conservative? Cost me 45 minutes on a long day so I was not a happy camper! Are those ratings "serious" or seriously conservative? What is the collective wisdom?

Gary


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[twinboat]

My thought is that it will hold at least 2, 10 ton rigs, if it's a 2 way bridge.

150 feet long has the potential of 4, 10 ton rigs.

I would have driven down the center to block incoming traffic.

[dustyone]

You did not give them much information. But that's okay. Those signs are there for safety . I will tell you having run the super slab 40 plus years you did the right thing. It is always best I think you're the way through. Taking a chance to drive across depending on your weight might not have been a good idea. Length of bridge is also included. Will your front end be over before you're back end comes off easily convert a long bridge hard to tell. And let me tell you if you get caught by the police it can get extremely expensive. That would have been a lot more than just a 45-minute delay. It really wouldn't hurt the wallet. Always better safe . Safe travels and enjoy your year... Dusty

[Ann n Gene]

I agree with Dusty. The weights are extremely conservative and I am sure you would have no problem. The weight police, however take a very dim and expensive view f violating weight restrictions. My vote, you did the right thing.


2016 44 B Topaz Cornerstone
2014 MKT towed

[jbhobbs54]

I think you did the right thing. The 30 - 35 footer could have weighted less than 10 ton, my gasser was just under at 20K. Why risk sitting at the bottom of a creek, river, or whatever with your shorts full of @#%^ (hopefully not injured), and saying I should have obeyed the sign.

[ddgilmore]

My opinion, you made the right decision..most bridges and especially those on rural roads haven't been inspected for years.. The infrastructure throughout our nation is in need of repair and is currently underway in many states. The comment regarding law enforcement taking a dim view of weight restrictions, is spot on... The signage is for safety... TAKE NOTICE!! Safe travels.

[Mr_D]

As a retired highway design engineer I'd have to say you did the right thing! Yes, those ratings are on the conservative side, but I wouldn't want to push it. A while ago there were some photos circulating of an 18 wheeler that the driver (a new woman driver) didn't know her rig weights. The bridge collapsed under the trucks weight.

[336muffin]

Rating is per axle.

[hawgguy]

Is this it?

[brobox]

Originally Posted by hawgguy

Is this it?

No more closing my eyes and going for it.

[Twomed]

Bob beat me to the pic. I use that in safety presentations. The bridge stood from 1880 until last Christmas Day. Big oops for a young lady trucker who told LE she wasn't sure how many pounds were in a ton.


You did right by turning around.

[t55watson]

Those signs are there for a purpose.
I worked for a county road commission in engineering and construction inspection for 16 years then transferred to road maintenance for 14 years.
We had a heating oil delivery truck go through the deck on a rural bridge, ignored the weight sign, and the oil company was billed for the repairs. I don't know how it was settled because lawyers always end up doing that.
So if you damage the bridge you fix your rig and the bridge.

[lincoln20]

Originally Posted by Twomed

Bob beat me to the pic. I use that in safety presentations. The bridge stood from 1880 until last Christmas Day. Big oops for a young lady trucker who told LE she wasn't sure how many pounds were in a ton.


You did right by turning around.

One more vote for the metric system. That yardage marker the Brits invented is seriously screwing everyone up.

[Gary.Jones]

OK, I appreciate the perspective and the insights. Frankly, I didn't know about any potential problem with the "law" about going over the bridge ( fines) but I have lived enough life to bet that if my back 2 axles crushed through the bridge that my insurance policy would use my over-weight as a basis for refusing to repair my coach and it would come out of my pocket, and the state/county/city government would assume that since I broke it, I would be responsible to pay for fixing it which would also come out of my pocket. That was the reason that I decided to unhook, turn around, rehook and do it right.

Chuck..... I love your strategy Good luck with that in the future!!

Appreciate your knowledge and advice. Thanks everyone.

Gary