Lift axle trailers.

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by meechyaboy, Aug 8, 2020.

  1. meechyaboy

    meechyaboy Heavy Load Member

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    As a rookie in fuel hauling this is my first year driving 6 axle trailers. For the most part when loaded all axles down with one switch. Turning with all axles down is a big no no, but I know we can individually put down the 1,2 and 6 axle. Others say they’ll leave their 2nd axle down to help with turns. It makes the trailer handle a little differently. I guess my question is how would leaving other axles down change the handling if anyone knows?
     
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  3. abyliks

    abyliks Road Train Member

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    Is it a lift axle or a tag axle? Tags you lift on turns, lift axle you leave on the ground, more tires the more grab and the more off tracking, i used to ran fixed Tri and quads up in ny a bit as they didn’t recognize tags/lifts
     
  4. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Having the back axles down effectively lengthens the wheelbase of the trailer.....so by lifting 6th axle and leaving down 2nd axle the trailer wheelbase is shorter .it will not off track as much. This effect is even greater when empty ..
     
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  5. Shawn2130

    Shawn2130 Heavy Load Member

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    Some of those axle spacing can be a real pain in the &$$.

    We have a end dump with a 72 inch spacing spread tri axle.

    While it works great, it’s difficult to turn it 90 degrees at some places as the axles fight each other.

    This trailer used to have a lift axle but it was expired by regulations and the axle was moved back 2 feet to become a 72 inch spacing.

    I thought of making that front axle a manual switched lift again to make it easier to work around the customers place.
     
  6. bad-luck

    bad-luck Road Train Member

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    What are we talking about, a triaxle trailer?
     
  7. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Michigan special..... I would say...

    D181A11C-8CDC-4FE5-BBEF-E6F8F49FDB8E.jpeg
     
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  8. kylefitzy

    kylefitzy Road Train Member

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    It’s my understanding a tag axle goes behind the fixed axles and a pusher goes in front. Both are types of lift axles.
     
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  9. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    Flying J has 7 axle trailers. 5 axle trucks.

    Some trucks are 3 drive 1 drop. Others are 2 drive 2 drops.
    The trailers are 3 axles plus 2 drops back AND front.
     
  10. abyliks

    abyliks Road Train Member

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    Probably just a regional thing, they just get interchanged here, tag/pusher is usually air up/down, but a lift diverts the air from the bags to a different set of to push the axle up, you can leave that one down when making turns (as can with a steerable if it’s not to tight)
     
  11. LTL Bull

    LTL Bull Road Train Member

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    I pulled a seven axle set up in Michigan for a number of years, pulling the axles up when turning isn't about handling it's about wear and tear on the tires and whatever pavement you're on. When turning I'd pull all of them I could up which was three on one trailer and two on the other one the company owned. I also would pick them up when empty of course. It was also nice in snowy weather to pull them up going down the road, put more weight down to help with traction but have to be careful you're not seriously overloading the down axles and make sure there's no creeper cops around
     
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