On 30-Jan-12 17:37, Robert Bonomi wrote:
*HOWEVER*, tanks are *heavy* -- substantially surpassing the legal load
limits on most highways. An "M1A1", alone, NOT INCLUDING the weight of
the transporter vehicle, is close to double the legal weight limit on most
highways.

Load limits are specified per axle or tandem, and tank transporters have
_lots_ of axles to spread the tank's weight out.

Also, the load limits are based on civilian traffic at high speed for
decades. It is well known that such limits can be exceeded at lower
speeds for short periods--such as a military convoy.

(The current tank transporters are only rated for 45mph, ironically
slower than modern tanks can move on their own.)

They are also _big_. TWELVE ft wide. (needless to say, that doesn't fit 'in'
a standard traffic lane, with any safety margin

.... and the standard traffic lane is exactly twelve feet wide. However,
the transporter is _not_ that wide; a tank hangs off both sides,
possibly over one shoulder or the other if the transporter is not
perfectly centered in the lane.

There are standard shoulder widths, too: ten feet on the left and twelve
feet on the right. However, they're not required to support the same
weight as the main lanes--which is fine since neither tanks nor
transporters should be driving on them.

Eight ft tall -- not including any antennas -- _before_ considering the
height of the transporter. (a flat- bed type trailer will have a bed
level that is approximately 5' above ground.)

Isn't the standard minimum bridge height 14ft6in? Hint: that's just
slightly taller than a tank or APC on a transporter.

S

--
Stephen Sprunk "God does not play dice." --Albert Einstein
CCIE #3723 "God is an inveterate gambler, and He throws the
K5SSS dice at every possible opportunity." --Stephen Hawking