Spread Axle Trailer

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Cunundrum, Nov 4, 2020.

  1. Nov 4, 2020 #1
    Cunundrum

    Cunundrum Bobtail Member

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    Gents.. good to chat with ya and appreciate any help. Long time military man and I got to a unit and they let me get my CDL. We have a featherlight spread axle trailer 8'7" wide and 57' long and weighs a tad over 62k pounds. I know.. we military don't have to stop at weigh stations. My problem is due to that weight on 17.5 16 ply Michelins we are blowing tires monthly. Tire blowouts are from the tread blowing off.. no side wall issues. My guess is that with the spread axle we have to make jack knife turns to get in/out of my unit and its peeling those tires across so bad its causing the plys to separate.. just my old man guess. Anyone have any other ideas?
     
    Cunundrum, Nov 4, 2020
    Cunundrum, Nov 4, 2020
    #1
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  3. Nov 4, 2020 #2
    Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

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    Put in a dump valve to dump the suspension bags in turns. Whichever axle is better for you. Should just slide then and not tear up the tires so bad.
     
    Goodysnap, Nov 4, 2020
    Goodysnap, Nov 4, 2020
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  4. Nov 4, 2020 #3
    Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    I’d check the trailer alignment too....

    what kind of speeds are you running...?
     
    Cat sdp, Nov 4, 2020
    Cat sdp, Nov 4, 2020
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  5. Nov 4, 2020 #4
    wis bang

    wis bang Road Train Member

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    First place I worked we had one spread axle and had to keep a few 'full cap' recaps made to withstand the sideways force on the lead axle when turning. Dump valve will help if you have air suspension
     
    wis bang, Nov 4, 2020
    wis bang, Nov 4, 2020
    #4
  7. Nov 4, 2020 #5
    Cunundrum

    Cunundrum Bobtail Member

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    We keep it at 75 due to deploying for Hurricanes. I know its a little over the speed rating for that tire.. the other negative is the tire is a 17.5 inch.
     
    Cunundrum, Nov 4, 2020
    Cunundrum, Nov 4, 2020
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  8. Nov 4, 2020 #6
    Cunundrum

    Cunundrum Bobtail Member

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    appreciate the responses, Axles are straight.. tested that out already. Definitely gonna start unloading the air in the front axle.
     
    Cunundrum, Nov 4, 2020
    Cunundrum, Nov 4, 2020
    #6
  9. Nov 4, 2020 #7
    Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    What does feather light say........?

    There’s a ton of those trailers on just about every race series..... Someone must of dealt with this ......
     
    Cat sdp, Nov 4, 2020
    Cat sdp, Nov 4, 2020
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  10. Nov 4, 2020 #8
    I glide 47

    I glide 47 Road Train Member

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    Don't spare the air pressure. That tires probably calls for 125. Psi.
     
    I glide 47, Nov 4, 2020
    I glide 47, Nov 4, 2020
    #8
  11. Nov 4, 2020 #9
    kwswan

    kwswan Road Train Member

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    You need to dump the air on the rear axle,not the front.
     
    kwswan, Nov 4, 2020
    kwswan, Nov 4, 2020
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  12. Nov 5, 2020 #10
    lester

    lester Midwest's #1 Feed Hauler

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    I think the problem is your speed on the little 17.5 tires. I've heard a few guys with 17s say if they keep their speed down the tires last a lot longer. They are turning super fast and build to much heat. I used to run a spread axle belly dump loaded heavy and made lots of tight heavy turns and never pealed a tire off, even with recaps
     
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2020
    lester, Nov 5, 2020
    lester, Nov 5, 2020
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