Newbie Question: Spread Axles

They are called spread axles. Some are fixed, some one axle (usually the rear on a 53' and front on a 48') slide and on some both slide. The benefit nowadays with air ride is weight distribution. As a general rule a spread of more than 10' can scale 20,000 per axle as opposed to 34,000 for a closed tandem so in other words you can scale 40k on the two axles.

Originally in the days of spring rides most guys got them because they afforded a little better ride however with the proliferation of air ride the ride benefit is negated.

I have pulled many flats/steps with a sliding axle spread and unless I absolutely had to have them spread for weight I ran with them closed, easier to back (IMHO), less wear on tires and drive-line etc.

 

@Chewy352 in 3...2...1...

Chewy is the official rookie newbie educator spokesperson for this forum

 

It's not all just benifits fyi. I like the spread, but sometimes while backing I wish I still had tandem

 

fixed it for ya

 

Catalinaflyer did just fine. One benifit of pulling a spread is your wallet gets significantly lighter the first couple weeks you have one and you get to visit lots of tire shops.

I suggest watching a bunch of flatbedders back into spots and pay attention to how they do it. Kiss 90 degree alley docks good bye. Now that I have it down I love my 48 ft spread. I think I'd have a heck of a time putting a 53 ft into alot of spots I get into with ease.

You can also put a dump valve and/or lift axles on which supposidly makes it easier to back. I didn't get my dump valve set up until 9 months into pulling a spread. Now when I dump it I look like a rookie again. Most of the time I back better without dumping it.

Another tip a guy told me about. When you set your trailer brakes the trailer will push the tractor forward. If you pop both at the same time it's pushing against the brakes and is putting a lot of tension on the kingpin. Simple solution. Set tailed brakes and then wait a minute or two for the air bags to deflate. Then set the tractor brakes.

 

Not all trailers are plumbed that way.

 

When you get the hang of a spread axle with a rear dump valve you can steer the wagon with the dump easier than a closed tandem. But it takes practice.