According to federal law, a truck’s weight cannot exceed 80,000 pounds while fully loaded. Driving an overweight vehicle is not only illegal, but it can put everyone on the road at risk.
Overloaded trucks will travel faster when going downhill. Additionally, the excess weight puts increased stress on the truck’s brakes and tires. This can lead to higher forces of momentum and result in a delay in the time it takes to come to a complete stop. The pressure on the truck’s parts may even cause a mechanical failure.