Moving Tandem fro weight

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Tuckster, Nov 5, 2008.

  1. Tuckster

    Tuckster Light Load Member

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    May 12, 2008
    Hanover, Va
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    Moving your trailer tandem (53') forward will take weight from the rear of the trailer and move it to the 5th wheel .... moving it rearward will add it to the trailer and reduce the amount on the 5th wheel ...correct ???
    How do you lighten your steers ... move your 5th wheel back and move your trailer tandem forward ??

    :biggrin_2554:
     
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  3. honor roll

    honor roll Road Train Member

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    Mar 7, 2008
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    here is how it works you move the weight towards you problem
     
  4. The Hardcard

    The Hardcard Bobtail Member

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    Aug 3, 2008
    Los Angeles, CA
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    Actually, you have it backwards. Moving the trailer tandem forward puts more weight on the rear. As you move a support closer to the center it will take on more weight and reduce the weight of the other support(s).

    I recently had too much weight on my trailer tandem. I had to move them back 4 feet to get the excess weight off of them and onto the tractor tandem.

    Interestingly, and I would have never guessed it, as the weight increased on the tractor tandem, not only did the trailer tandem weight drop, the weight on the steers also went down.

    It makes sense, mashing down on the rear of the tractor lifted the front up. So, that's one way.
     
    statikuz Thanks this.
  5. Lurchgs

    Lurchgs Road Train Member

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    Feb 13, 2008
    Denver, CO
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    Hardcard - that bit with the steers only works if the 5th wheel is near or behind the center point of th' drive axles. If the 5th wheel is ahead of the drive axles, some of that added weight will find its way to the steers
     
    statikuz and super10 Thank this.
  6. Otter

    Otter Light Load Member

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    Mar 16, 2008
    Milton, VT.
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    When sliding the fifth wheel, crank down the support legs and drop the air bags on the tractor to remove the weight from the fifth wheel. I've seen guys drop drive shafts trying to slide the fifth wheel by horsing it.
     
    super10 Thanks this.
  7. super10

    super10 Light Load Member

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    Aug 19, 2008
    Riverside, CA
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    Look at it as a balanced teeter totter; if you move the centerpoint to the rear, the teeter totter will go up in the rear (less weight) and will go down in the front (more weight).

    In a nutshell, move the trailer tandems forward to put/shift weight to them, or slide them to the rear to put weight on the drive axles.
     
    Windless1 Thanks this.
  8. zyg_b

    zyg_b Bobtail Member

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    Apr 2, 2010
    Ontario
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    I found it a little funny reading the first post... Sorry :) but here is the question that I can't find the answer to:

    What is allowable legal limit to move tandems forward or backwards ? I know it will be different in some of the states but I''d like to get the numbers based on DOT or MOT regulations. Can anyone answear this, please ?
     
  9. hammer head mn

    hammer head mn Light Load Member

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    May 29, 2010
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    Look in the front of your road atlas.Your ?,s will be answered.
     
  10. melpromud

    melpromud Medium Load Member

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    Jan 29, 2010
    camden ny
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    Yes the front pages of your atlas will answer juat about any regulation questions you might have. Its to bad schools and even the trucking companies dont teach new drivers how to use their atlas. Its not just a map. Haz Mat regs. Weight restriction. Low bridges. Fuel tax. and so much more. The first 50 pager are nothing but info for drivers. Sad but most dont even know its their.:biggrin_25513:
     
    glider7 Thanks this.
  11. Prairie Boy

    Prairie Boy Road Train Member

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    Nov 18, 2010
    Edmonton, AB
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    Totally backwards my friend.
     
    123456 Thanks this.
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