What do we mean by "bigger trucks"?

What is an LCV?

LCV stands for Longer Combination Vehicle. Today's combination trucks consist primarily of the tractor-semitrailer, the Western Double and three kinds of LCVs. Congress enacted a freeze on LCV operations in 1991. LCVs that were already allowed pursuant to state law (primarily in Western States) were permitted to continue operating. LCV operations could not expand into additional states or onto additional highways.

What is a triple?

A triple or triple-trailer truck is a tractor trailer pulling three 28 foot trailers.

What is a Rocky Mountain Double?

A Rocky Mountain Double or RMD is a tractor pulling a 48 foot or longer trailer and a 28 foot trailer. They are named as such because they are primarily used in the Rocky Mountain area.

What is a Turnpike Double?

A Turnpike Double or Long Double is a tractor pulling two 48 foot or longer trailers. They are referred to as Turnpike Doubles because they primarily operate on long stretches of turnpikes across the country.

What is a Western Double?

A Western Double or "Pup" Double is one tractor pulling two 28 foot trailers. Western Doubles are NOT considered to be LCVs if their gross vehicle weight (GVW) is not greater than 80,000 pounds.

If you make trucks bigger, won't it mean there are fewer trucks on the road?

Every time there has been a truck size and weight increase, bigger truck proponents have promised that it will mean fewer trucks, but the facts show that it simply is not true. After increases in truck size and weight, truck traffic grows disproportionately faster than car traffic. Additionally, bigger and heavier trucks create a reliance on trucks as a mode of moving freight and increase highway dependence. When more freight is moved by trucks, it is diverted from other modes, thereby reducing the amount of money that is earmarked to develop and maintain the infrastructure of other modes. Once freight is diverted from other modes of freight they may never be an option again.

Shouldn't states be able to decide their own truck size and weight limits?

On state financed and maintained roads - yes. However, it is appropriate that an issue concerning the federally funded interstate system be addressed by the federal government.