OAR 734-076-0145: Maximum Weights

(1) Maximum weight for towing vehicles is as follows: (a) Class A and Class D tow vehicles must conform to ORS 818.010; (b) All towing vehicles must conform to ORS 818.010 when towing a disabled unit by draw bar or tow chain method; and (c) When any portion of the weight of the disabled unit rests upon a Class B, Class C, or rotator tow vehicle and operating under a continuous trip permit: (A) A single drive axle may not exceed 600 pounds per inch of tire width not to exceed 23,000 pounds on a single axle; (B) A tandem drive axle may not exceed 600 pounds per inch of tire width not to exceed 23,000 pounds on each axle or 46,000 pounds on the tandem axle; (C) Any group of three or more axles may not exceed 600 pounds per inch of tire width not to exceed the weight allowed by Weight Table 4, revised January 2023. Weight Table 4 is by reference made part of Division 76 rules, and is available from the Commerce and Compliance Division, Over-Dimension Permit Unit. (D) A rotator tow vehicle must have no more than 5 axles; (E) A combination that includes a rotator tow vehicle must not cross any posted weight-restricted bridges for SHVs, regardless of the level of load posting or number of axles on the tow vehicle; (F) The gross weight for the tow vehicle and disabled vehicle(s) must not exceed 98,000 pounds; and (G) The steering axle of the towing vehicle must carry sufficient weight required to maintain a safe operation and at no time will weigh less than 3,000 pounds for Class B tow vehicles or 3,500 pounds for Class C and rotator tow vehicles. (d) When unladen, and operating under a continuous trip permit, a rotator tow vehicle must not: (A) Exceed the tire, axle, and group axle weights allowed by Weight Table 3, revised January 2023. Weight Table 3 is by reference made part of Division 76 rules, and is available from the Commerce and Compliance Division, Over-Dimension Permit Unit; (B) Exceed a gross weight of 86,000 pounds; and (C) Cross any posted weight-restricted bridges in excess of the weight limits allowed for SHVs. (2) Maximum weights for disabled units are as follows: (a) When being towed by Class A or any Class D tow vehicle, all weights must conform to ORS 818.010; (b) When being towed by a Class B or Class C tow vehicle using a draw bar or tow chain method, the weight of the disabled unit must conform to ORS 818.010 or to the permit issued to the disabled unit; (c) When a Class B or Class C tow vehicle carries a portion of the weight of the disabled unit, the first load bearing axle(s) of the disabled unit may weigh 600 pounds per inch of tire width, not to exceed 21,500 pounds on any single axle or 43,000 pounds on a tandem axle, unless otherwise provided by a permit issued to the disabled unit; and (d) When being towed by a log truck or full log truck “towing vehicle,” the weight of the disabled unit must conform to ORS 818.010 or to the permit issued to the disabled unit. (3) When operating under a continuous trip permit, the combination maximum weight for the tow vehicle and disabled vehicle must not exceed the weight allowed in section (1) and (2) of this rule. (4) When operating under a single-trip permit: (a) The drive axle(s) of the tow vehicle must not exceed: (A) 600 pounds per inch of tire width, (B) 23,000 pounds on each axle; (C) 46,000 pounds on a tandem axle group; or (D) Other axle and group axle weights allowed by Weight Table 4 , revised January 2023, for any group of 3 or more axles. (b) Except as provided in Section (2) and Section (4a) of this rule, the maximum weight allowed on all other axles and groups of axles must not exceed the weights allowed by Weight Table 4, revised January 2023. (5) A load recovery vehicle consisting of a truck-tractor semitrailer may transport a divisible or non-divisible load. Except when operating under a single-trip permit, the weight must not exceed: (a) 600 pounds per inch of tire width; (b) 21,500 pounds on a single axle or 43,000 pounds on a tandem axle; (c) 98,000 pounds; and (d) Other axle group weights allowed on Weight Table 3, revised January 2023. (6) A solo recovery vehicle may transport a non-divisible load. The weight must not exceed: (a) 600 pounds per inch of tire width; (b) 21,500 pounds on a single axle,; (c) 43,000 pounds on a tandem axle ; and (d) Other axle group weights allowed on Weight Table 3, revised January 2023. (7) Lift axles must be deployed when axle weights exceed that allowed under ORS 818.010.