Truck Load Plan and Axle Weight Verification

It verifies that the tractor and trailer match the dispatch record, the 53-foot trailer is the correct equipment for the load plan, and the tandem slide is set to the approved position. It also captures gross vehicle weight, steer axle weight, drive axle group weight, and trailer tandem axle group weight. The final section records any deficiency and whether the load is approved for dispatch.

Use it after loading is complete and before the truck leaves the yard or dock. It is especially useful when the shipment is near legal weight limits, when the load plan changes during loading, or when the route has axle or bridge restrictions. If the trailer is reworked, reweighed, or the tandem position changes, the verification should be repeated.

A dispatcher, load planner, yard supervisor, or trained shipping lead can complete it, as long as they can compare the actual trailer setup to the approved load plan and weight record. If your operation uses a scale house or certified weigh station, that person can provide the weight ticket while the dispatcher confirms the release decision. The reviewer should understand axle limits, tandem positioning, and route-specific restrictions.

No. It supports compliance by documenting the pre-dispatch check, but it does not replace your carrier, state, or route-specific requirements. You still need to follow applicable transportation rules, bridge formulas, permit conditions, and any customer or terminal limits. Use the template as the controlled record that shows the load was checked before departure.

Common issues include using the wrong trailer number, leaving the tandem in the wrong slide position, and relying on a planned weight without confirming the actual scale ticket. It also catches axle imbalance, cargo shifted too far forward or rearward, and missing documentation for an overweight exception or rework. Those are the kinds of problems that can trigger a roadside stop or a return to the dock.

Yes. You can add route-specific gross or axle limits, permit numbers, customer requirements, or trailer types such as reefers, flatbeds, or dry vans. Many teams also add fields for seal numbers, scale location, or a second reviewer when the load is near a threshold. The core structure should stay the same so every dispatch uses the same verification sequence.

An ad-hoc check often leaves gaps: the trailer ID may not be tied to the weight record, the tandem position may not be documented, and the final release decision can be hard to audit later. This template creates a repeatable record that links the load plan, scale data, and dispatch approval in one place. That makes it easier to spot non-conformance before the truck departs and easier to review after the fact.

Document the deficiency, hold the truck from dispatch, and correct the load before release. Typical actions include repositioning freight, adjusting the tandem slide, removing pallets, or obtaining a new weight ticket after the change. If the load cannot be brought into compliance, escalate to the dispatcher or safety lead and follow your permit or route exception process.