Opening and Closing a Spread Axle Trailer

there should be a button on the trailer to lock the back axle so you can slide it. at least there is on the trailers at my company. maybe block the back tires and see if that maybe is less wear on the tires?

 

Several PITA ways to avoid dragging the tires.

Cage the brakes on the fwd axle.

or

Use a ratchet binder and a chain from the axle to the bumper if you are worried about your boss's tire wear.

Me? I'd just drag 'em.

 

If it's a company trailer, ask them how they want it done. If they dont care about the tire wear, then that is their call IMO.
Easiest way though, if it has neither of the above, is to dump all the air, then pinch off the airbag lines to the front axle with small vice grips etc, then slide it. Years ago, I installed an inline fitting with a quarter turn valve built into it. This allowed me to dump the air, turn the 2 knobs a quarter of a turn, and air the other axles back up.
Lot quicker than caging brake chambers or chaining an axle up.

Martin

 

If you don't mind crushing your air lines...



blind driver might be dedicated enough to spend money on valves for his boss's trailer before he even gets paycheck no. 1, ya never know.

 

My trailer you set the tractor brakes but mot the trailer, then you just turn a valve that sets the brakes on the rear axle, and airs up the bags all the way (raises trailer) and you pull a knob that releases the pins (air pins) then u just pull forward.

 

What brand trailer is it? On the older Transcrafts we have, you supply air to the trailer and there is a lever on the rear axle to lock the breaks on that rear axle. On the newer ones there is a valve on the outside frame well just behind the center pout of the trailer.

 

Not ideal for the 1/4" airlines granted, but they will spring back as a rule, where tread on tires wont!
As I said, it's his bosses call IMHO.

Martin

 

It's a 2012 Fontaine Infinity AX. I'll snap a pic of it tomorrow since I have to open it up for the 45k I'm loading.