Tandem Cheat Sheet?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by madmoneymike5, Feb 28, 2012.

  1. madmoneymike5

    madmoneymike5 Medium Load Member

    633
    283
    Jan 30, 2010
    Arlington, TX
    0
    I appreciate your feedback. However, I've been driving a little while now and none of this is new to me. I know where the information is, but it's not a quick read and it describes things in feet, not pins. It can't reasonably list all the information it does in addition to bridge laws for every brand of trailer and model. What I was hoping to find was something that could, based on the manufacturer and perhaps model (if there are such things with trailers), tell me what pin to set for what state.

    The sticker on each trailer can tell you this because it is for that particular model, but if it doesn't have a sticker, you're stuck with either measuring or guessing.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. ac120

    ac120 Road Train Member

    1,072
    550
    Aug 27, 2010
    0
    10-4 on the stickers.

    I've looked at trailer manufacturers' websites for the kind of info you seek and haven't found anything. Often wondered why. I mean, they offer sliding tandems. I've never seen anything in terms of pin settings, though. Like you said, it's feet, not pins. But the states measure in feet and inches, not pins. Oh, well. Interesting topic. Safe trip.
     
  4. ac120

    ac120 Road Train Member

    1,072
    550
    Aug 27, 2010
    0
  5. madmoneymike5

    madmoneymike5 Medium Load Member

    633
    283
    Jan 30, 2010
    Arlington, TX
    0
    Thanks for the link but is still referring to length by feet and inches instead of the needed pins. Looks like the other thread you referenced had a driver with the same request I have. He's come up empty-handed too.
     
  6. ac120

    ac120 Road Train Member

    1,072
    550
    Aug 27, 2010
    0
    I'll poke around some more and see what I can find.
     
    highflight1985 Thanks this.
  7. the flying scotsman

    the flying scotsman Medium Load Member

    542
    222
    Jul 28, 2010
    Portland, OR
    0
    98% of the time my trailers will be set for CA, unless the weight is an issue, then i will give it more of a precise calculation

    keep note of the type of trailers you haul and remember the hole you put it in (no pun intended).
     
  8. corneileous

    corneileous Road Train Member

    1,342
    332
    Nov 19, 2009
    Podunk, OK
    0
    If I'm understanding you correctly, you don't set the tandems based on a certain hole. You go by numerical measurement. Whatever holes the pins fall into for whatever distance you need is where you set the tandems.
     
    Last edited: Feb 29, 2012
  9. chalupa

    chalupa Road Train Member

    3,757
    1,640
    Jul 22, 2010
    Houston,Texas
    0
    Uhm..... if your under 34k and 80k , does it matter? I mean i don't know, I'm asking, I use spreads in Texas and keep 40k on the arse.
     
    dirtyjerz Thanks this.
  10. madmoneymike5

    madmoneymike5 Medium Load Member

    633
    283
    Jan 30, 2010
    Arlington, TX
    0
    I can't answer for spreads...

    But to cornelius, how do you measure 41 feet without a sticker to know which pin to use?
     
  11. DannyB

    DannyB Light Load Member

    295
    459
    Apr 13, 2008
    Jackson Mi
    0
    I pull a pneumatic trailer now, with fixed axles. But in the past, I pulled 53' Wabash vans. I'm sure it differs from one make to another, but for the Wabash trailers, I always set them for even weight within the following guidelines.
    For California, no farther back than 5th hole. For Michigan, no farther forward than 5th hole, no farther back than 14th hole. Everywhere else, no farther back than 14th hole.
    Never had a problem with bridge laws.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.