Next phase of Ontario VWD reforms kick off in New Year

TORONTO — Ontario truckers are gearing up for major changes to the province’s vehicle weight and dimension rules, effective Jan. 1, 2006.

The Ontario Trucking Association is reminding members of several changes as a result of the phased-in vehicle weight and dimension reforms.

Phase 3 of the reforms affects all non-dump tri-axle semi-trailers with a rigid lift axle. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation in the late 1990s began discussions with OTA regarding their concerns for vehicle configurations that cause disproportionate damage to the infrastructure because of axle spacing or the operation of lift-axles. At this time all non-dump tri-axle semi-trailers with a rigid lift axle were provided a five-year grandfathering provision. On January 1, 2006 this grandfathering provision is removed.

Therefore, reports OTA, tri-axle semi-trailers with rigid lift axles will incur a weight penalty of 3,000 kgs (6,614 lbs) to the GVW. The effect on a typical tri-axle configuration will be to reduce the maximum GVW from about 52,600 kgs (115,700 lbs) to 49, 600kgs (109,350 lbs).

The trailer can be converted into an acceptable tri-axle configuration and conform to the SPIF standards, which basically means replacing the rigid lift axle with a self steer axle, and the vehicle can operate at gross vehicle weights very close to the existing weights.

This conversion can be done at any time; or another axle can be added to the trailer to convert in into a quad axle trailer and this could operate at increased weights until 2015, says OTA.

Four, 5, and 6 axle configurations and& trains changes affect vehicles built after January 1, 2006 as well as some existing noncompliant vehicles.

Some Ontario truckers may be able to experiment
with single wide tires come January

The new regulation discourages lift axles for trailers with 4, 5, and 6 axles and spells out a number of new vehicle combinations that are considered infrastructure friendly that will allow carriers to maintain their current operating weights.

A grandfathering provision will be afforded to all equipment built prior to January 1, 2006, OTA says.

Double trailer combinations where either trailer is built after 2005 face a reduction of 4,500 kg or 9,000 kg if not SPIF.

The issue of 53 ft self steer quad axle trailers dates back to mid 1990s when Ontario and Quebec began the weight and dimensions harmonization discussions. 2005 permits for 53-ft self steer quad axle trailers are now no longer required, says OTA.

It has recently been discovered, reports OTA, that trailers with a track width of less than 98″ (2.5m) wide would be affected by the new regulations and the vehicle combination including these trailers will be subject to a 3000 kg weight penalty, effective January1, 2006. This penalty would only apply to 48-foot trailers or shorter – 53′ trailers are already required to be between 98″ (2.5m) and 102″ (2.6m) wide.

After discussions with OTA, the ministry has decided to amend the regulation to exempt trailers that are less than 48-foot and built before 2006 from the requirement that the minimum track width allowed is 2.5m. Until the amendment is in effect, existing combinations will be exempt by an enforcement policy directive, OTA says.

The minimum track width applies to all existing 53-foot trailers and any trailer built in or after 2006.
As Today’s Trucking reported in October, in the New Year, it will also be easier to spec super-single tires on 53-ft tandem trailers for U.S.-bound loads.

Most provinces limit any single tire to 3,000 kg (6,000 for two tires on an axle) — making the spec anything but profitable. That’s a restriction the four western provinces and four Atlantic provinces apply, and which Ontario enforced on 53-foot trailers.

But starting in January 2006, Ontario will harmonize with Quebec and move up to 8,000 kg for tandem axles on SPIF (53-foot) trailers. That weight limit is ideal for dedicated U.S. equipment since weights there are capped at a maximum load of 17,000 lb or 7,700 kg per axle.

Meanwhile, phase four of the reforms will address straight trucks. In addition, SPIF 4-axle tractor alternatives will be further explored.

Policy development will commence in 2006. Research, testing and stakeholder consultations are expected to take at least two years.

OTA members with questions may call 416/249-7401 and speak with either Barrie Montague (ext. 234) or Geoff Wood (ext. 248) in the New Year.

Other carriers wanting more information can contact the MTO’s Freight Policy Office at 416-235-3636.


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