Truck tag axle

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by otherhalftw, Apr 27, 2012.

  1. otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    I've got a question.

    Today, while approaching a scale in OR, the "scale dude" waved me around as he was axling a Gordon heavy haul truck. I noticed the reading on the scale reader, and it was 43,970....this was the drives and the tag axle (in front of the drives, just behind the cab).

    What is the weight limit for the tag axle?
     
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  3. Frenzy

    Frenzy Medium Load Member

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    Tag adds 8K, looks like Gordon was a little over.
     
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  4. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    I've been inside and seen the same thing and no tag axle. :biggrin_25521:

    I'm sure scalemaster sees it everyday. The world is filled with variety.
     
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  5. Ezrider_48501

    Ezrider_48501 Road Train Member

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    the truck i drive the tag is rated at 10,000 but you don't get 10,000 out of it with bridge law, just like my 40,000lb drives
     
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  6. Pedigreed Bulldog

    Pedigreed Bulldog Road Train Member

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    Bridge law allows 3 axles in 11 feet to run 44,000 on the group. However, 3 axles in 10 feet is only 43,500. Shorter distance between the first & last axle in the group and the allowable weight could be less....so whether he was in trouble or not really depends upon his axle spacing, what the permit says, and the officer's discretion.
     
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  7. okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    ^That's right. However, 10' spread on a 3 axle/drop is 43,500 with a extended weight permit in Oregon. GVW-105,500 on a 8 axle w/ WB of 60' or more. Ha ha I see you posted while I was typing. Not to much discretion of bridges or overweights when I drove extended weight permit trucks. Always tried to get the 3-6 axle bridge for overweight.
     
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  8. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    Our purpose was to take the weight down on the steers. We could not control the axle from the cab. The switch to raise or lower was mounted just behind the cab on the drivers side. Why I'll never know. We also had to list them as drop axles because our tag axles were different. The tag axle was part of the drives except it wasn't a drive axle. The last axle was just an axle with no power to it and could not be lowered or raised. That cut down on more weight. Just don't forget to raise that drop axle when you're empty, you'll go to turn and the truck won't.
     
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  9. okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    Drop axles can be operated from either inside or outside the cab,depends on state. During Winter operations on snowpack we would raise our drop axles to increase traction.plus they suck on snowpack for steering.. Some drops also have a auto raise on them when the tranny goes into reverse. How much uneven tire wear have you seen on drop axle tires? Ever have one fail or vibrate at highway speeds? It can get ugly real fast.
     
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  10. otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    OK...then what is the difference between a "tag axle" and a "drop axle"?
     
  11. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    A tag axle is peranently mounted to the frame usally behind the drive axle and does not go up and down. It just tags behind another axle. A drop axle is designed to go up and down and is lowered when the truck is loaded and raised ,saving tire wear, when empty. That's the way we have to describe it to the state anyway. I know there's all kinds of variants but with our tanker trucks that's the way we have it set up. There's a lot of truck and trailers in L.A. CA that have the tag and you can look under and see it's just a straight axle with no driveshaft or power applied to it. That does save more weight and adds gallons to be loaded.
     
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