Spring Suspension Tandem Dump Truck Ride

Does anyone on here know about axle weight? I mentioned earlier about adding a drop axle. I’m considering adding a 3rd axle to my dump truck. I have room to do a full axle with dually tires.

Here in Colorado we can gross 54,000 on a tandem dump truck. I’m guessing it’s 14,000 on steers, and 20,000 per tandem axle. If I added a full dually axle rated at 20,000, would that mean my truck could gross 74,000? I know there is the bridge formula to consider too.

it gets a little confusing because I see most rear axle are rated at 17k but somehow we run 20k.

Or what’s a good way to find this out?

I’ve been looking at quad dump trucks and realize my truck is about the same length as many quads and I have an 18 foot bed. I just don’t have room to add 2 axles unless I move my fuel tank. 1 axle at 20k would be a good set up if I could gross 74k

 

Side view of my truck

 

You are 100% right. 53,000... I said 54K (which is wrong).

Thats a good idea to run the wider heavy rated tires. So you think I could pick up 20,000 by adding a steerable lift axle and heavy rated steer tires? That would put me at 73,000. My truck is double framed with a steel box. Currently weighs about 26,800 empty. 73,000 - 30,000 (Projected weight with new axle) means I could haul almost 21.5 tons. That would be a game changer for me.

Although I'm seeing some others that haul aggregate advertising their new model quads can haul 26 tons. But I don't see myself spening 200K+ on a new truck.

 

Thank you for your help! I've been looking for another truck but the used truck market is still super expensive. Thinking about putting my money into the truck I have but still not excited about another year in a spring ride truck.