The Canadian Trucking Alliance is asking the government to allow heavier trucks.

As talk of mandatory speed limiters continues among motor carrier associations, CTA issued a press release on Friday, May 12, touting heavier trucks as a way to gain payload and cut down on fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

“Given the fuel crisis and the environmental imperative, the provincial weights and dimensions rules should be sufficiently flexible as to accommodate those carriers that are attempting to do the right thing,” said David Bradley, CEO of the CTA.

Canada has a National Task Force on Vehicle Weights and Dimensions.

CTA is asking the task force for three things: First, to allow 400 extra pounds of gross vehicle weight for trucks with anti-idling devices. A recent U.S. energy bill signed into law in early 2006 will eventually allow American trucks a 400-pound allowance for APUs.

Secondly, CTA would like to see the government allow extra weight for wide-base tires, and to allow up to 9,000 kilograms – or 19,840 pounds – per axle as the province of Quebec has done.

Lastly, CTA would like to add 300 pounds of gross vehicle weight tolerance for particulate traps on exhaust stacks.

Canada currently allows the following maximum weights:

• Single steering axle: 5,500 kg;
• single axle (dual tires): 9,100 kg;
• tandem axle: 17,000 kg; and
• tridem axle: 21,000 kg to 24,000 kg, depending on spread.

Gross vehicle weightlimits:

• 23,700 kg for three axles;
• 31,600 kg for four axles;
• 39,500 kg for five axles; and
• 46,500 kg for six axles.