Preference: Weight On Drives Or Trailer?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Grumppy, Jul 29, 2014.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Jul 29, 2014 #1
    Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    3,234
    11,403
    Dec 11, 2010
    West Monroe, La
    0
    I'm just wondering from you guys...

    When you have the option (under gross) would you prefer to have the weight balanced /about equal on the trailer axles & the drive axles? OR
    Would you prefer a little more of your weight on the drives or the trailer. Does it make a difference in ride or lugging/load/pulling hard on the truck etc?

    Here is what I had today:
    Steers: 11180
    Drives: 33440
    Trailer: 32360
    Gross: 76980

    Do you like a little (or a lot) extra on the drives, OR
    would you have moved that extra weight to the trailer & off the drives, OR
    would you have moved 1/2 that weight (540 Lb) to the trailer & had equal weight?

    Why would YOU do that? Preference? Ride? Lugging truck/pulling more/less? Just like it balanced? Truck/trailer stability?
     
    Grumppy, Jul 29, 2014
    Grumppy, Jul 29, 2014
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Jul 29, 2014 #2
    Mark Kling

    Mark Kling Technology Contributor

    10,935
    4,216
    Sep 23, 2007
    Statesville, NC
    0
    How much fuel you have?
     
    Mark Kling, Jul 29, 2014
    Mark Kling, Jul 29, 2014
    #2
  4. Jul 29, 2014 #3
    STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

    14,963
    29,160
    Oct 3, 2011
    Longview, TX
    0
    I always prefer to have more weight on the drives if the final position of the trailer tandems is not too far back to make turns an issue. I do this for the ride improvement generally speaking, but for the added traction on snow/ice when applicable.
     
    STexan, Jul 29, 2014
    STexan, Jul 29, 2014
    #3
    Battle Born Thanks this.
  5. Jul 29, 2014 #4
    bigkev1115

    bigkev1115 Road Train Member

    2,364
    3,618
    Oct 23, 2009
    Alexandria, AL
    0
    Me personally if I had a full tank, and that was my weight, I would slide my tandems forward to balance out the weight. To me it rides better balanced. You may see some O/O s put all the weight on the trailer so that they re not wearing out their tires if they are leased to a company
     
    bigkev1115, Jul 29, 2014
    bigkev1115, Jul 29, 2014
    #4
    Grumppy Thanks this.
  7. Jul 29, 2014 #5
    freightlinerman

    freightlinerman Road Train Member

    1,287
    536
    Mar 4, 2011
    Florida
    0
    Personally, I prefer the weight up front. I always like to roll with the tandems around the 8th hole, unless the load is too heavy in which case I move it around. Plus, if you're ever over weight, put the weight on the drives. You can burn the fuel off.
     
    freightlinerman, Jul 29, 2014
    freightlinerman, Jul 29, 2014
    #5
    Grumppy Thanks this.
  8. Jul 29, 2014 #6
    gentleroger

    gentleroger Road Train Member

    7,898
    21,621
    Jun 1, 2010
    0
    I prefer to have the drives heavier by no more than 500 pounds. This gives me the smoothest ride and appears to give me better fuel economy.

    I use 500 because I will burn off just over 1/2 of a pound a mile off my drives in fuel. This way my drives will stay heavier during the entire run.
     
    gentleroger, Jul 29, 2014
    gentleroger, Jul 29, 2014
    #6
    Grumppy and rcpilot Thank this.
  9. Jul 29, 2014 #7
    Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    3,234
    11,403
    Dec 11, 2010
    West Monroe, La
    0
    I was full of fuel today when I weighted. Two 120 gal tanks.
     
    Grumppy, Jul 29, 2014
    Grumppy, Jul 29, 2014
    #7
  10. Jul 29, 2014 #8
    Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    3,234
    11,403
    Dec 11, 2010
    West Monroe, La
    0
    Very helpful... thanks.
     
    Grumppy, Jul 29, 2014
    Grumppy, Jul 29, 2014
    #8
  11. Jul 29, 2014 #9
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

    50,050
    238,540
    Sep 19, 2005
    Baltimore, MD
    0
    My personal preference is to err on the side of having more weight where you can control it.
     
    MACK E-6, Jul 29, 2014
    MACK E-6, Jul 29, 2014
    #9
    Battle Born and Grumppy Thank this.
  12. Jul 29, 2014 #10
    Mark Kling

    Mark Kling Technology Contributor

    10,935
    4,216
    Sep 23, 2007
    Statesville, NC
    0
    Personally I would have probably bumped the trailer up another hole. I agree, I liked to keep weight on the drives, it does ride smoother.
     
    Mark Kling, Jul 29, 2014
    Mark Kling, Jul 29, 2014
    #10
    Grumppy Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 4