Trucking historical tid bits

[golfournut]

Prior to 1900, trucks was used more for the advertising space that their utility value. Extremely limited in range because of their electric engines.

1913
4 states impose weight limits to protect the earth and gravel roads from the hard rubber or steel wheels. Speed limit 15 mph. About 17000 trucks on the road. Two manufactures, White and Mack.

1933
As part of FDRs "New Deal", The National Recovery Administration requested each industry to create a "Code of Fair Competition".

The American Highway Freight Association & The Federated Trucking Association of America meet and create the "code" which was approved in 1934.

Both groups merged and formed the American Trucking Association with Ted Rogers as its first president.

Truckers that voluntary complied with the "code" displayed a "Blue Eagle" license plate.

1935
Congress passed the Motor Carrier Act which replaced the Code of Fair
Competition and the ICC (Interstate Commerce Commission) was authorized to regulate.

1938
Based on recommendations by the ICC, congress enact the first Hours or Service regulations.

1941 to 1956
ICC says inconsistent weight limitations imposed by states were a hindrance to effective Interstate Truck Commerce.

Roosevelt sets up a committee to explore the idea for a "National Regional Hwy" system.

1956
Federal Aid Highyway Act of 1956 authorized construction of the Interstate Hwy system.

It also authorized the first max GVW limits set at 73208 pounds.

Modern containerized Inter Modal shipping was pioneered by Malcolm McLean. Take a container from truck to train to ship.

1964
The American Association of State Hwy & Transportation (AASHTO) recommends to congress GVW should be determined by a "Bridge Formula" table.

1970
18 million trucks on the road.

1974
GVWR changed to 80000 pounds.

1976
#1 hit on the billboards was "Convoy".

1980
Partial deregulation with the Motor Carrier Act of 1980. Took 45 years to update from the 1st MCA of 1935.

1982
The Surface Transportation Act of 1982 established a Federal Minimum for truck weight limits and size.

2006
Over 26 million trucks on the road hauling 10 billion short tons or 70% of the freight volume.

2009
The book "Trucking Country: the Road to America's Wal-Mart Economy" by Shane Hamilton explores the History if Trucking & how the developments in the trucking industry helped the so-called big box stores (such as Wal-Mart & Target) dominate the retail sector of the US Economy.

The end

Note: source Wikipedia "History of Trucking"

 

[nightcreacher]

it was 1982 when the 80000 lb weight was made federaL.Before that,just a few states would let you do 80000,most of the states were 73280.It was in 1979 they permited the 48x102 trailers

 

[golfournut]

it was 1982 when the 80000 lb weight was made federaL.Before that,just a few states would let you do 80000,most of the states were 73280.It was in 1979 they permited the 48x102 trailers

That's not the info I find.

The Federal Hwy Amendments if 1974 set the Max at 80000 & a sliding scale of truck weight to length but didn't specify any minimums.
6 states of the Mississippi Valley know as the Barrier states refused to increase to 80k which made it difficult for true interstate commerce.
In 1982 when the Surface Transportation Act established MINIMUMS (relating to axle spread to weight) for truck weights and sizes then those 6 states raised their limit to 80k.

 

[Moot]

I agree with Creacher. I started in trucking in 1977 and the federal gross weight was 73,280. In 1982 it was bumped up to 80,000 with a few states that held on at 73,280. Missouri and Illinois come to mind as hold out states.

 

[golfournut]

On Jan 4, 1975 President Gerald Ford signed into law the Federal Hwy Amendment Act of 1974.

It set the max of 80000 pounds and established the bridge formula also known as formula B. BUT there was no MINIMUMS.

It also set the national speed limit to 55 mph.

As I said, 6 states wouldn't go along with it in the Mississippi Valley because there were no minimums.

In 1982 minimums were added and the 6 hold out states accepted the 80 k limit.

That's all I can find on it. And it is in the law, so I don't know what to tell you.

Maybe because if the hold out of those 6 states something happened that I can't find. But the law was never changed until 1982 when only added minimums.

Perhaps you or Night could find out what happened. I have been through both laws, and several side bars and foot notes and can't find anything about the law not being implemented.

 

[Moot]

It was in 1979 they permited the 48x102 trailers

48 footers were legal nationally in 1979 but at 96" width. 102" wide did not come about until 1982.

I hauled pulp logs in Minnesota prior to 1982. Minnesota granted an exemption to the 73,280 weight limit to carriers with intrastate agriculture authority allowing them to gross 80,000. This was an open ended period determined by the state during the winter months when the ground was frozen and carriers were restricted to specific highways. I'm sure other states had exemptions from the 73,280 gross prior to 1982.

 

[Moot]

Golfornut I found the following attachment in an old U.S.A. Truckers Guide I had on my bookshelf. It supports your position of the 80,000 pound gross prior to The Surface Transportation Act of 1982 and makes me question my memory. But I still insist I ran MN, ND, SD, WI, IL, MI, KS, MO, IN and IA at 73,280 from 1977 to 1982.

 

[Moot]

Well that didn't work. Let me try this attachment thing again. That didn't work either.

 

[golfournut]

Golfornut I found the following attachment in an old U.S.A. Truckers Guide I had on my bookshelf. It supports your position of the 80,000 pound gross prior to The Surface Transportation Act of 1982 and makes me question my memory. But I still insist I ran MN, ND, SD, WI, IL, MI, KS, MO, IN and IA at 73,280 from 1977 to 1982.

Yea it's getting hard to remember what I had for breakfast! It's he** getting old. lol Considering the alternative, i'll just let my tummy let me know when it's time to eat.

All I can find out about the 6 "barrier" states is they are in the Mississippi valley. I don't know if it's north or south or what combination.

 

[golfournut]

Well that didn't work. Let me try this attachment thing again. That didn't work either.

Yea I don't know how to do that stuff either. lol So I can't help you there.

 

[nightcreacher]

Golf,your right about the 73280.Most of the states up to the truck strike of 82 were 73280.I went to hauling produce in 1981,with a 45ft reefer,but the company I quit was pulling 48ft 102 trailers,starting in 1980.After the independent truck strike in 1982 the feds said 80000 and 48 102's were good everywhere.Ga has specific roads your were permitted on,mainly just interstates,some of the other states still have restrictions.The last surface act went to unlimited length,and still 80000#,wit a change in the HOS.Now they are trying to put the weigjht to 90000,hope thet never happens.
When we went to 80000,loadspay stayed as if we were just pulling 73280.The increased the speed limits to 65mph,so now you run 600 miles for what pay that use to be 500 miles,expediting being the exception

 

[golfournut]

Golf,your right about the 73280.Most of the states up to the truck strike of 82 were 73280.I went to hauling produce in 1981,with a 45ft reefer,but the company I quit was pulling 48ft 102 trailers,starting in 1980.After the independent truck strike in 1982 the feds said 80000 and 48 102's were good everywhere.Ga has specific roads your were permitted on,mainly just interstates,some of the other states still have restrictions.The last surface act went to unlimited length,and still 80000#,wit a change in the HOS.Now they are trying to put the weigjht to 90000,hope thet never happens.
When we went to 80000,loadspay stayed as if we were just pulling 73280.The increased the speed limits to 65mph,so now you run 600 miles for what pay that use to be 500 miles,expediting being the exception

If it goes to 90 k, bet the rates won't change! Sad. Shippers win again at our expense. Oh well... such is life.

 

[moose]

2006
Over 26 million trucks on the road "

Yh'a...right

 

[golfournut]

Yh'a...right

Double checked it, that's what it said. Seems awfully high doesn't it?

 

[Turtle]

 

[moose]

Double checked it, that's what it said. Seems awfully high doesn't it?

That's about 0ne of 5 peoples in the work force - drive a truck.
or to be current on political correctness :
"That's about one of each 5 Americans in the work force willing to work..."

 

[golfournut]

I found this: "US Trucking Industries Reaches Major Milestone" Reuters 1-21-2008 Retrieved 10-11-2009 American Trucking Trends reported 26 million trucks of all classes played a part in reaching the tonnage milestone. Of this number 2.9 million were typical class 8 trucks operated by more than 750,000 carriers.

 

[golfournut]

Turtle, I haven't been able to get this to where I can read it. I will try it tomorrow on the puter.
Thanks

 

[Moot]

Thank you Turtle for posting that for me. It is some what difficult to read and the weights still conflict with what I remember from then. I am more confused now than I was 24 hours ago. I am also older now than I was 24 hours ago. Good thing a drive a van. Ban the van. Eat high fiber foods. Bandage and sterilize all manatee propeller wounds.

 

[Moot]

Turtle, I haven't been able to get this to where I can read it. I will try it tomorrow on the puter.
Thanks

Golfournut, I asked for Turtle's help in posting that. If you would like a more legible copy send me a p.m. with your e-mail address and I will reply with a PDF that is easier to read.