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June 2, 1999 2:06 PM, EDT

Automobile haulers are hoping to have better luck next time getting an increase in weight allowances for their equipment on the highways.

The haulers had sought a change in the federal regulation because trends in the automotive industry have led to declines in their productivity.

“You can’t get as many sports utility vehicles on a rig as you can Plymouth Neons,” said Robert P. Farrell, president of the National Automobile Transporters Association.

“We have probably lost an average of one unit per trip within the past year and a half to two years,” he said, noting that sports utility vehicles, minivans and pickup trucks are now outselling cars.

NATA, along with other groups, tried to get a provision included in the 1998 highway bill that would have increased the weight tolerance for auto carriers, which must abide by a 80,000-pound federal weight limit or 34,000-pound restriction on tandem axle units. However, the effort was unsuccessful.

“So, that’s still No. 1 on our agenda,” Farrell said.

Legislation was introduced May 4 that would allow states to increase the maximum truck weight to 97,000 pounds. The proposal by Reps. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Merrill Cook (R-Utah) would require truckers to use equipment that adds a sixth axle.

For the full story, see the May 31 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.