Tandems Confuse Me - Please Advise

If you do that when you're loaded all the way to the doors you'll have a problem. I'm also about 10 months in. I take any load more than 35-40K over a CAT scale. Once you've done it enough you can get a feel for approximately which hole to start with until you get to a scale. I'm seldom more than one hole off now.

Remember it's about balance.

 

Is the 40k distributed evenly across the deck? Where does the load end at? Is the 40k a mixed load with heavy product here and lighter product there? Lots of variables and your "method is rarely going to be right on 40k + loads and you will be paying out heavy fines.

There's more then a few threads dealing with weight distribution but could not advise on best key terms to search on. All I will share at this time is begin here and try and grasp what is being discussed. the trailer tandem center point is the fulcrum.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lever

Also, once you get a load that is 34k on the drives and 11k-12k an the steer and more then half fuel. DO NOT EVER move the tractor 5th wheel position from this point (weld it if you can). No need to fool with it ANY more! Too many driver waste far too much time fooling around with the 5th wheel setting again and again and again and again and it's a complete waste of time for the most part if it was in a sensible place to begin with.

BTW, on any load at 42k + and you're all the way forward (trailer tandem) as far as it will go??? I'd venture to say you are too heavy on the trailer 90% of the time.

 

Everyone has their own method that they use to remember how this works...I just think of the trailer as a see-saw or a fulcrum with the tandem being the pivot point....therefore moving the tandem or pivot point back adds weight to the nose and vise versa. Hope this helps

 

Op, do you have a air pressue gauge for your truck suspension or trailer suspension?

 

With slight variation in configurations/hole sizes, I was told to figure 300 pounds a hole....so, if you need to take some off your steers, or a little off your rear I guess

Im moving them all the time to go from dock mode (all the way to the rear of trailer, to california mode (10 feet of overhang)...Never to move 1000 pounds around

I guess you guys running right at the line need to fudge them pounds around every now and then..makes sense

 

where do you start with this
10 months and you dont know?
this isn't rocket science

 

If it's loaded evenly put the trailer tandems under the last pallet and roll. I pull 45-46k regularly, can legally scale 47 w/ 3/4 fuel and I haven't hit a cat scale in months.

 

Ever state has bridge length regulations...So moving the tandems to being legal in each state is a factor in adjustment of the weight. Each axle on the tandems are also regulated by the state in which you travel. As for each there are plenty of resources and guide books.
Commercial Truck Maps also have DOT FMCSA Data for operation of a CMV regarding the max allowed weight on any given single axle or tandems with dual tires.

Scales are not alway a convience, when in doubt ( load over 35,000) always go to the scale before passing through an inspection area ( DOT). It may mean driving out of route. That is the cost of doing business. Do it right or get fined for being overweight. It really depends on how much is loaded.

I can carry 46000 in the box but it has to be scaled or else....And then there is the loader who puts all the weight on the Drives and there is no way to get it off even if you push the tandems all the forward.....

So don't let them tell you its ok....Go scale and go back if it aint right! But you hav to have a scale receipt showing the problem...

Lastly different trailers use different hole lengths some are spaced farther than others which affects how many holes to move the slider. Average hole is between 250 to 300 lbs but may be as much as 500 if there is a lot of weight on the tail. What ever you do (moving the Tandems forward or backwards)....go back and re-weigh and document how much weight was transferred, then readjust the if needed.

 

This is trucker science anybody could drive a rocket.