they didn't cover this in trucking school

42', maybe 45'

 

we drove 48' dry - tandums all the way back for three weeks in allentown pa. - excellent course

 

A 53 foot trailer is not illegal, but a 53 foot trailer with the tandems all the way back breaks the bridge law in most places, therefore is illegal.

 

And pretty much impossible to drive around any town without popping curbs.

Swing as wide as you need as long as it's safe to do so. Also I was taught when making a right turn at a light swing it so you can make it and if there are cars in your way make them move for you. Do not adjust yourself to miss stopped cars in the way or you can get yourself in a situation where you may have to back up which is bad. Also big warning bells should go off any time you see a sign or telephone pole on a corner. Not only do your tandems need to clear but often the road is sloped to the curb for drainage and even if your tandems clear the top of your trailer could clip that pole.

How did you pass your cdl road test without being able to properly make a right turn?

 

By making 3 lefts

 

Having a dump on a 48' spread is a life saver. One w/o a dump is a pita. I pulled one where it would only dump when loaded. Empty it was too light to push the air outta the bags. Was one of the reitnouer max lites with the super singles on it. Try nyc with that. Going in with 48k on the deck was the easy part. Heading out empty was fun. I *borrowed* some sidewalk space a time or two.

 

Uh....just curious, not stupid. Would someone care to explain the benefits of dumping air suspension to go around a corner? Five years out here, most of the friends I have are drivers with more than 20 years' experience and I have never heard of this.

 

On a spread you are only dumping the rear axle in order not to scuff the tires so much on hard turns, The added benefit is that it effectively shortens the wheelbase of the trailer.

I don't like or use dump valves...They are hard on the trailer and on the suspension under many circumstances.

 

Not all states have bridge laws, so theoretically they could have been dragging around a 53' with the tandems slid all the way back. Not a wise idea in close quarter driving obviously.