Why don't more of us run lift axle trailers?

I buy new equipment several times per year and just hadn’t given it a lot of thought past I don’t have time for it to be malfunctioning. If the megas aren’t doing it there probably is a reason.

Maybe technology has gotten better, I don’t know. Would we really pay any less at tolls or is it simply to save on 4 tires and a tiny fraction of fuel?

 

Prime runs automatic front axle lifts on their flatbeds IIRC.

 

Closed tandem dry vans.

It’s tied into the ABS on the trailer, so if there’s an issue or the trailer isn’t getting power from the truck the axle stays on the ground as the default position.

 

I have a lift on my flatbed, front axle. Barely any fuel mileage is being saved when it's up. Saves money on tolls and tires. Purchased the trailer new in 2018, haven't had any mechanical issues with the lift yet...

Making turns when it's up can be a PIA, definitely gotta swing really really wide. I would recommend wiring a switch inside the cab so you can drop/raise it on the go when needed, which I still have never done LOL.

 

My Buddy’s MAC I used few years ago was like that, set up to carry the front axle. It does make a difference on turns for sure….

 

I would love to have a lift axle dry van. I haul light a lot and as an O/O I could definitely save on tires, brakes and tolls. I ordered a new black Dane dry van with disc brakes, lift axle and lots of other goodies right about the time Covid hit. It was priced to me at about $42k. I'm still waiting on the call that it's ready. I've got the money in hand waiting on his call, Lol.

 

HEB Grocery in Texas on the newer equipment their 53 Refers are spec'd with lift axles on the front axle, the new Volvo tractors the front drive axle is also spec'd with a lift axle. For the most part they run to the stores loaded, drop & hook to empty and return to distribution center.

 

The only thing I don’t like is the back end seems to bounce more with the axle up, like coming off bridges for example.

 

It seems to be a thing with the training at the megas. Talked to a bunch of them about why they were running orange juice loads with the wheels all the way back. They didn't realize it shifts the weight to the front.

 

Last week at a Shipper ( empty aluminum pop/ beer cans) saw a company with singled out tires on their 53’. Must be all they do with the trailer. Only 4 tires instead of 8. I thought that was a pretty good idea. Lift axle wouldn’t pay off for me. Almost always loaded heavy, and not much DH.