Axle weight is the amount of weight resting on a single axle or group of axles. Weigh stations check this to ensure trucks do not damage highway bridge structures. Even if a truck's total gross weight is under the 80,000-pound limit, it can still receive a citation if too much weight is concentrated on one specific axle group. Cargo must be loaded evenly to distribute the weight.
Drivers manage axle weights by moving their cargo or adjusting their truck setup. They can slide the trailer tandems or the tractor's fifth wheel to shift weight from one axle set to another. For example, sliding the trailer axles forward shifts weight off the tractor drive axles and onto the trailer axles. The driver checks these weights at truck stop scales before hitting the highway.