Embarrassed - how to slide tandems on the trailer?

Discussion in 'Refrigerated Trucking Forum' started by honyb57, Aug 31, 2012.

  1. honyb57

    honyb57 Bobtail Member

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    Aug 28, 2012
    Hazelton, ID
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    My husband and I drove the better part of 30 years together. When he turned 65, he wanted to get off the road and I was getting weary of it as well. So he got a part time local job and between that and his Social Security and my wages as a food server, we were getting by. Then tragedy struck. He was diagnosed with primary CNS lymphoma on the 27th of June-1 day after his 66th birthday. We were told that although it was terminal, he should have anywhere between 6-18 months.

    Well, I buried him this past Tuesday. Due to the fact that we had no real savings and I am not old enough to make a claim on his social security (I'm 57) I am in real danger of losing all we worked for. So I called our old company and I'm going back to work for them Wednesday. It seems rather silly, actually, that I can not remember how to slide the tandems on the trailer. I know they had the air buttons on them, but I guess I never paid attention to the process when Bob was trying to teach me. If there is anyone who can describe the process for me, I would grateful.
     
    Giggles the Original Thanks this.
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  3. Midnight Mike

    Midnight Mike Light Load Member

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    May 18, 2012
    Drumright,Ok
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    First off im sorry to hear that, that sucks is the only way i can describe what u just had to do.
    As for your question, for tandems set both brakes and get out and alongside the driver side go to the rear and just in front somewhere and up under the trailer should be a knob or lever you can pull out , do that.
    get in cab and set ur trailer brakes and release ur parking brakes (u want the tractor to move not the trailer. Then pull forward if u want the tires/tandems to the rear and vice versa as far as getting the distance to go forward or back that comes with time. Might i suggest go to youtube and search for a video explaining it.... I hope everything works out for the best for you if i could give u a neighborly hug i would.
     
    honyb57 Thanks this.
  4. honyb57

    honyb57 Bobtail Member

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    Aug 28, 2012
    Hazelton, ID
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    Thanks for the reply. I just couldn't wrap my brain around the process.
    And thanks for the hug-I miss him so very, very much.

    I remember how to do those-shoot, they've been around longer than I have been. But thanks for the link. I just couldn't remember how to do the air assist ones.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 1, 2012
  5. bender

    bender Road Train Member

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    Don't Kid Yourself
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    All the luck to you and don't hesitate to ask someone for a little help in sliding those tandems, many will be glad to give you some guidance.
     
    honyb57 Thanks this.
  6. jbee

    jbee Medium Load Member

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    Jun 3, 2011
    NC
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    Sorry to hear about your situation and my condolences. As its been said, if you need help, you shouldn't have any problems getting assistance. We've all been there with a set that sticks and doesn't want to let loose.

    I would suggest in addition to the advice, watch as many videos as you can. There's predominantly 3 different release systems for the axles. Lever, rod and air. If you have a dedicated trailer you'll be pulling, life will be easier. Still, if you're going to be doing drop and hooks, a little practice and you shouldn't have any problems.

    If you click on this sliding tandem axles

    Some of it you will have to weed through unless you want to look at some of the gadgets used to make the job a little easier.
     
  7. Autocar

    Autocar Road Train Member

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    The Hot Rod Shop Oxford, AL
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    Have you checked with Soc Sec about survivor benefits?
     
    otherhalftw Thanks this.
  8. honyb57

    honyb57 Bobtail Member

    20
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    Aug 28, 2012
    Hazelton, ID
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    jbee,

    I remember doing the lever and rod, but for some reason, I couldn't recall the simplest method of all. Go figure. But thanks for the reply. I'm going to be watching other drivers while I'm running back to my new/old employer. I'm sure it will come back to me.

    Yes I did. I have to be a minimum of 60 to file survivor benefits. It would of been different if we had kids or if I was disabled. But with that being said, if I did file at the age of 60 I could only get about 700 a month. And if I wait that long to file, I will lose all we worked so hard for.

    We had no insurance and once my husband quick working, everything went south. Then, when I found out that I would not be eligible for any SS assistance, it soon became readily apparent that my salary of $1000 a month wasn't going to cut it. But my husband taught me a lot of things-among them a trade. I will not roll over and let everything we worked so hard slip through my hands. I guess I may as well tell the rest of the story.

    When I called my elder brother to tell him of the passing of my husband, he said simply that he was on his way. However once he got there, he told me he was going to pay for my husband's cremation. But that I was to list the house and sell all the furniture and turn the Chevy back into the dealership. Biggest problem was the fact that my Husband and I had talked for years about us being interred in our local cemetery and we would lie side by side for eternity. I wanted to borrow enough money to lay my husband to rest. But I guess I was shell shocked over the death of my husband. I let him (my brother) talk me into signing the papers for a cremation. However, I got my head out of the fog and stopped the cremation and went ahead with the burial. My brother called the mortuary and demanded the refund of the monies he paid for Bob's cremation. So now I am liable for the whole amount. I will pay it and gladly. I am not looking for charity or someone else to give me sympathy for what has happened the past 8 weeks. But I guess I tell the story so that maybe someone else can learn from my mistakes.
    My Husband taught me about honor, responsibility and love and I will be ###### if I will let anyone make me abandon these principals. If I can't do it for myself, I will do it in homage to him.
    OK, I'll get off of my soapbox now.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 1, 2012
    jbatmick Thanks this.
  9. dptrucker

    dptrucker Road Train Member

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    May 14, 2012
    adelanto,ca.
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    another advice i,ll give is when you pull the lever to release pins, do a walk around and make sure pins came out of hole( do same thing when you ingage the pins). if pins don,t release..jump in truck,release truck brakes only and move truck back and forth alittle.sometimes that unjamm the pin. also when you look at the pin and the hole..usually theres a little gap on one side or other. if the gap is on rear,you,d pull truck forwar alittle.if gap is in front ...you go in reverse. hope this helps.and sorry for your loss.may god bless you and comfort you in your loss
     
    ghettochild and honyb57 Thank this.
  10. honyb57

    honyb57 Bobtail Member

    20
    8
    Aug 28, 2012
    Hazelton, ID
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    DrivingForceBehindYou [​IMG]Yes, you would. And you don't know all the facts, so seeing as I wasn't looking for sympathy or compensation, all I was doing was stating facts.

    My husband told me countless times how many trailers we took that had pins out of the holes. So I know how important it is to check. Thanks.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 1, 2012
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