Truck tag axle

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

  1. otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    Then my example in the opening post...would be a "drop axle" since it can be raised.

    Another question....

    Would the position of the "non-drive" axle be determined by the carrier for specific needs, or are they set by the manufacturer?

    I've seen some oddly placed axles and wondered about that.
     
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  3. Crash935

    Crash935 Medium Load Member

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    Its usually based on what the customer intends to do with the truck and any additional equipment that will be installed on the truck along with bridge laws. Customer usually spends some time with a truck equipment engineer who will specify the palcement of axle.
     
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  4. mikestime

    mikestime Light Load Member

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    I run Into Wa & Or with a drop axle and keep it not over 42500 on the drives and 43500 on tri trl.
     
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  5. haulhand

    haulhand Road Train Member

    You can have tags that are drop axles also. A drop that is in front of the drivers is a "pusher" axle since it gets pushed along and is mostly used to get weight off the steer that is why on really long wheelbase trucks you see an odd spacing as it is in the middle of the frame. A drop or any axle placed behind the drives is called a "tag" axle as it essentially tags along behind they are mainly used to supplement the drivers and add to the bridge. I used to have a 359 Pete that I made into a tridrive with a pusher and a tag on it so I had 5 axles on the back I could get an ungodly amount of weight on that unit but I had to have a special trailer built with an extremely deep neck. I'll have to see if I can dig up those pictures.


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  6. Eaton18

    Eaton18 Road Train Member

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    I have a lift axle on my trailer. That's what everyone at our company calls it. I know, I know, same as Drop axle. Just another term used for them..
     
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  7. Rodeo_Joe

    Rodeo_Joe Light Load Member

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    differance between them is lift/pusher/drop axles are more the type you either lift while goin round a corner or is self steer and is seperate from axle groupings(normally) and a tag axle can be dropped when loaded/pined onto the truck or trailer and is down and pushed for the entire time under load. usually added as part of your axle group rating so u never get full GAWR then you would with a lift axle
     
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  8. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    Like I said before it all depends on what kind of truck is being used. With tankers we all called it the same. There are trucks coming down from UT that had different types of set ups and they still called the axles like we did. I've never seen a drop axle go up while going around a turn. That woluld be too dangerous with us since we are loaded to the max with permits. I'm sure the drop or tag axle on transit mixers (concrete trucks) are called something different. Basically what you need to know is how much weight is transfered with the axle and the laws that pertain with the raising and lowering the axle.

    On our drop axles do not steer, they follow behind the steers and that's why they need to go up when going into reverse. On a couple of our trucks we had a drop and a tag on the same power unit. We only deal with trucks that have a tank mounted on the frame. We have no tractors. You can see a lot of tanker trucks that run and ran out of Las Vegas NV on Mark Wayman Photos Western Tanker Collection page. It's hard to see a truck and trailer because east coast drivers that do not get out west never see a truck and trailer and only think the trucks are doubles because of 2 tanks when they do see them. If you ever get a chance to drive one I believe that you will like it because I have found they are much easier to get around with.
     
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  9. otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    I drove for Williams Tank Lines out of Stockton for a short while....one of the "beginner outfits" for gas/diesel...I think they have a truck or two in Vegas. I didn't stay with them mainly because the hours were killing the family...night shift, with no end in sight...it just didn't fit what I wanted so back to OTR.

    Truck-trailer was fun to learn how to back...whole different ball game from tractor-trailer for sure!
     
  10. otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    Interesting thing about this industry....different regions, different names....for the same things.....LOL
     
  11. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    Yup, I knew a couple of drivers from Williams. I believe they have more than just a couple of trucks there since the majors are pulling out.
     
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