Advantages of a spread axle trailer?

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by Bobg, Feb 12, 2009.

  1. Les2

    Les2 Road Train Member

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    I've seen broken trailers cause of dump valves. I'm talking frame trailers not vans. Don't know how it affects vans but I'd think your floor is taking alot of stress when you dump and go around turns.

    Anyway most trailers don't have the air system/supply to work a dump valve to actually make it easier on the tires or frame/floor.
     
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  3. Les2

    Les2 Road Train Member

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    I seen an A-train bulk tanker pull on a set of scales one time at 198k!

    If your really want confusion, try figuring out how MI does their weights? Anything under 80k axle weights are normal 12,34,40. Go over 80k and they change, 14,600? 32k, 36 on the spread...82,600 lbs. You also have to have the weight on your registration.

    I may be wrong on the axle weights, its been along time since I've had to worry about it?
     
  4. happypappy25

    happypappy25 Light Load Member

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    With a spread, alot of times I didn't even weight the load. Spreads are so much easier to load and distribute weight on. Wouldn't bu anything else. I had a spread bullwagon, stepdeck and reefer. LOVED 'em.
     
  5. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    I'd say a really heavy backend load is just as bad as underinflated tires, but that's my opinion. That being said, the ideal gas law...

    PV=nRT

    Pressure x Volume = nR (a couple of constants) x Temperature

    Not that this really is "ideal" from an engineering sense, but since tire volume doesn't really change...

    P = (nR/V) x T

    or roughly tire pressure follows temperature. Go from warm to cold and just see what happens to your mileage! That's why it's important to suck it up and be a mench on a cold morning!
     
  6. DD14

    DD14 Light Load Member

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    I'm not sure how you can say because you have a 10' spread you can load 45,000lbs. What if you weigh 37,000 empty?82,000 won't be legal just because you have a spread.Take that to Fla. and see how much it costs you.Speaking of Fla. they will let you put 44,000lbs on a tight tandem.
     
  7. DD14

    DD14 Light Load Member

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    I thought if you went over 80,000lbs. in Mich. you were allowed 38,000lbs on the spread.
     
  8. MedicineMan

    MedicineMan Road Train Member

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    you should add that you have a 48 foot trl. this would not work on a 53 foot spread you'd need singles in the nose
     
  9. MedicineMan

    MedicineMan Road Train Member

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    I spent 7 years pulling MRI scanners with 10 foot spreads and NO dump valves and I'd still ratrher back that in then a tandem.
    I cant stand backing a tandem slid up and I can't seem to find anyone that knows how to load a trailer these days. I pull a good number of pre loaded trailers and they all end up with the tandems slid all the way up to get some weight on them. I've had to have a few reworked. One place even charged me to rework the load after they loaded it wrong (I will never again load at us growers in LA)
    anyways. you get a 53 with the tandems slid all the way up a and you get so much swing on the rear end you cant get it in a tight spot unless you have five miles in fr0nt of it to get straight before you get into the spot
     
    bbechtel16 Thanks this.
  10. Winchester Magnum

    Winchester Magnum Road Train Member

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    I HAVE A 48' TRAILER............(grin)

    Good catch MM

    OTOH, if the spread on a 53 is located in the same place setting as on a 48, I would think 22 skids # 2000 pounds per, would still work just the same, and still be legal. Your way would work too.
     
  11. Winchester Magnum

    Winchester Magnum Road Train Member

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    I heard that. Luckily, I doubt I will ever pull a closed tandem 53 for as long as I live.
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2009
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