5th Wheel position

When you're at 80,000 lbs what do you axle out at? That will tell you if you need to move your 5th wheel. Since you have a stationary 5th wheel and you haul heavy, you can only set it where you axle out.

 

just forward of the center of the drives is where I always had it, never moved it.

Volvo or freightliner pulling dry van 35K-45K, never had a problem and it rode good.

 

What's your wheelbase?

 

I wouldn’t be adjusting anything until you purchase an “air slider”. If you adjust the “fixed” 5th wheel now, and you run into an over weight issue later, it’s going to take more extra labor to slide it back where the prior company had it set perfectly for weight distribution. Just saying……

 

If mines loaded evenly, I count the panels inside of available space. Panels are spaced 2-4 ft apart, usually with logistic posts between them. Last panel at the door is only 1 ft. You might have 5-8 feet of space of empty Trailer. Then slide axle so the mudflap or rear tire is even with the rear of the load. Make sense? The rear tandems are completely “under the load”. From that reference you can slide it forward if it’s a bit light on rear. Slide back if it’s light in the nose. So if I have 1 pallet in the nose, double pallets all the way back, I’ll slide the axle back 2 ft further. Likewise if it’s doubled from the nose and only 1 pallet at the back, slide axle forward 2 ft. Once you get an idea, never need to pay for a scale. Good example is a 45k load of 22 bottled water. 22 pallets side by side all the way. About 45’ of space. Only way they’ll load it. Slide axle all the way forward. Only choice. Works great. Worst case scenario, with my Truck, might have to run light on fuel. Only because it’s hard to get weight onto the steers, due to location of tanks and 285”wb. Your Truck no problem. Load will be legal. No need to scale. Can’t do anything about if it is anyway. Bottom line as already mentioned. Fifth wheel is set at the best location. Only one time have I ever slid mine forward a notch or two is because I was over gross. Trying to get the weight onto steers. Regardless still was over gross. For the most part, no one ever slides their fifth wheel, once it’s set in the best spot. Not hauling general freight anyways.

 

On FL air liner, start with kin pin centered on air bags of front drive axle.

Then kin pin depth plays a factor. Not all trailers are the same.