Tandem Cheat Sheet?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by madmoneymike5, Feb 28, 2012.

  1. Semi Crazy

    Semi Crazy Road Train Member

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    Why didn't you snap a photo of the cheat sheet sticker when you had the chance?


    You know meth head drivers like peeling stickers off of things when they are bored.



    I just looked here because I wanted to know what a cheat sheet was in trucking. Never heard of one before.
     
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  3. Sly Fox

    Sly Fox Road Train Member

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    His point is that every trailer is different. Some trailers have 6" between holes, some are 4". Some have 40' set to be the 7th hole, some the 5th. Some trailers I've seen it was the 9th hole.

    My trailer 40' is the second hole after the welded on stop bar.

    I drive the northeast. I generally keep my tandems at 41' and rarely move them. Usually weighs out most loads up to 44k before I think I may have to slide them.
     
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  4. Thehank

    Thehank Bobtail Member

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    Some states also don't measure from the kingpin to the center of the rear axle, they measure from the kingpin to the center of the last group of axles, which means you measure to the center of the tandems, not the axle, so you can get an extra foot or two in on some states to keep the weight and length legal.
     
  5. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    You can do simple math. The king pin sits 3 feet from the nose. So you know from king pin to the back of the trailer is 50 feet. Except for the back panel, panel widths are 24 inches on center. Bottom frame is 12 inches on center. You can easily reference length that way. Most trailers are dirty. I usually lick my finger and drag a reference mark on the side of the trailer.

    Try to keep your freight in the 44-48 area and you'll never have problems. It's them heavy loads loaded back to the doors you'll have to watch.
     
  6. madmoneymike5

    madmoneymike5 Medium Load Member

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    Since I originally posted this thread, I've come across a cheat sheet of sorts. It's the one Swift put into their quick reference guide. They used to hand one out to every driver along with a hard copy of the driver manual. Now, they only give the driver manual in electronic form and I'm not sure if that disc contains the quick reference tablet or not. Either way, when get back home from where I am now, I will post it here for everyone to download and print. It contains the tandem information published in the atlas in a much more tidy format and lots of other useful information.

    I'll be back on the road soon. See ya.

    Mike

    P.S. It still doesn't help with measuring for each trailer, but helpful all the same.
     
  7. madmoneymike5

    madmoneymike5 Medium Load Member

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    I'm sort of a point and show kind of learner. What you describe about bottom frame and panel widths, I'm having to guess what you're referring to.

    Panel width....are you describing the lengths of the sheet metal that the sides of the trailer were constructed of?

    Bottom frame...are you describing the driver-to-passenger side steel frame cross members that give the floor its strength?

    On center...you're describing from the centers of these steel cross members I just spoke of above, so you would measure from center to center?

    Please correct or confirm my understanding.

    Thanks.
     
  8. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    Yes your understanding is correct. I learned that stuff from my construction days. It makes it easier than trying to drag a tape.

    Many companies will put a single piece or two of red tape vertically on the side of a trailer. No wording. Those are reference marks also.
     
  9. madmoneymike5

    madmoneymike5 Medium Load Member

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    I don't recall any of Swift's trailers having this tape, but I'll keep an eye out for it now. And thanks for the tip on measuring. I can't believe this hadn't occurred to me. I'd say short of a sticker saying what is 41 feet, this would be the easiest way to measure.
     
  10. Bob The Dinosaur

    Bob The Dinosaur Light Load Member

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    Be careful of the truck also kenworth is notorious for messing up your knowledge of trailor setting.....
     
  11. Jfaulk99

    Jfaulk99 Road Train Member

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    Easiest way to slide a set of tandems is........
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1338174876.524185.jpg

    Slide them apart 10' and never mess with them again.....ever.
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1338174924.932161.jpg
     
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