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Need some opinions on Streching a Truck

Discussion in 'Heavy Haul Trucking Forum' started by dogcatcher, Jul 20, 2014.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Jul 20, 2014 #1
    dogcatcher

    dogcatcher Heavy Load Member

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    Apr 30, 2010
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    Ok guys lets have it! I have a good 3 axle truck, I want to add a lift axle to it. The problem Im having is the wheel base will be over 320 inches if I leave the 150 gal tanks on and the APU. I already have a lift axle, cut off and a complete donor truck sitting here all Ill need is a set of inner frame rails (double the frame) and yes I know I have all the other hardware as well.
    Just trying to figure out the configuration of it all, I can save myself the footage if I either loose the APU, or put smaller fuel tanks on and move the APU forward. If I go with just stretching the frame the addition 3.5 feet It can turn into a nut roll as far as dropping the RGN and going back to a step in the winter and the over all footage even pulling the RGN will put me right at the 80' mark with out the Jeep or flip down.
    So Give me some input here guys. Thanks
     
    dogcatcher, Jul 20, 2014
    dogcatcher, Jul 20, 2014
    #1
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  3. Jul 20, 2014 #2
    haulhand

    haulhand Road Train Member

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    Rock Springs, Wyoming/Dickinson, ND
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    I wouldn't want a 320 especially if your going to go multi axle. Have you thought about moving the APU under the passenger door or maybe eleven moving one fuel tank up under the door. What steer axle does the truck have?? Is it rated better than 12k because the heavier you get the heavier your going to be up there.
     
    haulhand, Jul 20, 2014
    haulhand, Jul 20, 2014
    #2
  4. Jul 20, 2014 #3
    dogcatcher

    dogcatcher Heavy Load Member

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    its a 20k steer with the big tires. Ive looked at that configuration with the tank or APU under the door. The other truck is a set back axle and it works great as far as the wheel base but stretching a W9 is a bit harder
     
    dogcatcher, Jul 20, 2014
    dogcatcher, Jul 20, 2014
    #3
  5. Jul 20, 2014 #4
    Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Michigan
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    two things that come to mind,

    can you live without two 150 gallon tanks? Have one 100 gallon and one 150 gallon tank may give you the room you need for the APU.

    how much extra weight do you think you can add to the truck with the lift axle because if I remember right, you have that bridge law formula to deal with which may not give you much of an advantage if the spread between the axles isn't wide enough.
     
    Ridgeline, Jul 20, 2014
    Ridgeline, Jul 20, 2014
    #4
  7. Jul 20, 2014 #5
    dogcatcher

    dogcatcher Heavy Load Member

    808
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    Apr 30, 2010
    tn
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    That's where Im running into the configuration and wheel base issue. To meet the bridge law I need to add 3.5 - 4 feet if I keep the truck the way it is, which would put me way over what I want for a wheel base. It would give a true meaning to give me 40 acres..LOL Ive thought about the reducing the tank size. One concern is having the APU under the bunk, can you get away with routing the exhaust away from the bunk and not tear up or damage the APU
     
    dogcatcher, Jul 20, 2014
    dogcatcher, Jul 20, 2014
    #5
  8. Jul 20, 2014 #6
    daf105paccar

    daf105paccar Road Train Member

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    Won't that cause a lot off noise in your sleeper?
     
    daf105paccar, Jul 20, 2014
    daf105paccar, Jul 20, 2014
    #6
  9. Jul 20, 2014 #7
    haulhand

    haulhand Road Train Member

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    Feb 6, 2008
    Rock Springs, Wyoming/Dickinson, ND
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    If you've got a 20k axle I'd move the tanks up under the door where they should be on a heavy haul truck and then move your APU forward. What's your WB now??
     
    haulhand, Jul 20, 2014
    haulhand, Jul 20, 2014
    #7
    Mudguppy Thanks this.
  10. Jul 20, 2014 #8
    Mudguppy

    Mudguppy Degenerate Immoralist

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    Wooley Swamp
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    When we added the drop axle to my '08 Pete, we had to go with 80 Gal. tanks and slid the battery box up under the back of the cab pass. side, and stacked the air tanks on top of each other driver side to make it work. Also had to add an extra 3' or so of track for adjusting the fifth wheel to work with the flip box as well as some of our tub grinders that have the kingpin mounted waaaaaaaaaay close to the front of the machine. I've slid my fifthwheel more in the last 8 months than my previous 14 + years.... :biggrin_2559:
     
    Mudguppy, Jul 20, 2014
    Mudguppy, Jul 20, 2014
    #8
  11. Jul 20, 2014 #9
    DMH

    DMH Medium Load Member

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    Jan 9, 2012
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    I know some guys in tx and pa that are 310wb or so. Think keens trucks are 295 now. Moving your apu if possible would at least save a little room
     
    DMH, Jul 20, 2014
    DMH, Jul 20, 2014
    #9
  12. Jul 20, 2014 #10
    RGN

    RGN Road Train Member

    1,533
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    Jun 13, 2014
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    I've got a 2000 T800 factory HH 4-axle/lift, 60" flat-top, 243" WB. Everything but the battery box in in front of the stacks (2/100 gal), no APU. Always heavy on the steer, even bobtail. But the lift & setback axle work that way. I have the build sheet with the dims. but I don't know if that would help.
     
    RGN, Jul 20, 2014
    RGN, Jul 20, 2014
    #10
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