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Backing 48' fixed spread axle trailer in tight spots

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by bp88, Dec 5, 2015.

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  1. Dec 5, 2015 #1
    bp88

    bp88 Light Load Member

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    Apr 20, 2013
    Orange County, CA
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    Okay, just turned 27 and got my previous two years experience hauling steel locally with a Cascadia day cab and a 48' tandem-axle Utility trailer with some 53' tandem-axle dry van experience afterwards. Not new but not quite pro yet so I'm here asking for advice.

    This new company has me hauling stone slabs and tile locally with a 48' 10'-1 spread-axle with no dump valve that I'm aware of. I drove with my trainer today for my second day on the job and did fine but he said to be careful how you back in because when heavy you can really drag the front axle across the asphalt and trash the tires and rock the trailer. I can see what he means and how it'd pivot differently depending on where the weight is so he suggested I "rainbow" the trailer into driveways and such; however, there are certain streets that are narrow with cars parked on the both sides and you can't always "rainbow" it in. I just pulled up further at a slight angle to set up and slowly jackknife it in for the back like I would've with the tandem-axle and it seemed to work fine, but when heavy who knows?

    What other way to set up in these situations is there? It's a lot of large stone slabs on A-frames and pre-fab slabs in crates so it's somewhat fragile compared to the steel I once hauled.
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2015
    bp88, Dec 5, 2015
    bp88, Dec 5, 2015
    #1
    farmboy73 and Dominick253 Thank this.
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  3. Dec 5, 2015 #2
    bp88

    bp88 Light Load Member

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    Apr 20, 2013
    Orange County, CA
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    and I did ask my trainer what he suggests I do and he just told me "you just gotta figure it out". I don't think he means to be vague and English isn't his first language so sometimes it may be difficult for him to explain things.
     
    bp88, Dec 5, 2015
    bp88, Dec 5, 2015
    #2
  4. Dec 5, 2015 #3
    damutt

    damutt Road Train Member

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    May 6, 2013
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    when your heavy with a spread you will have to take several attempts at setting up, biggest thing with a spread axle is make it as wide as you can,if you spin it like a tandem you risk ripping tires off the rim, or ripping the axle off the trailer. slow and steady
     
    damutt, Dec 5, 2015
    damutt, Dec 5, 2015
    #3
    Lepton1, Rock 'n Roll Relocater and bp88 Thank this.
  5. Dec 5, 2015 #4
    bp88

    bp88 Light Load Member

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    Apr 20, 2013
    Orange County, CA
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    Thanks for the reply damutt. I know every situation is different, but is there a general method for tight situations?
     
    bp88, Dec 5, 2015
    bp88, Dec 5, 2015
    #4
  7. Dec 5, 2015 #5
    damutt

    damutt Road Train Member

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    May 6, 2013
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    not really, just hve to be carefull, you CAN get it tight, just do do a 90 degree, tightest would prob be a 60 MAX without causing too much damage
     
    damutt, Dec 5, 2015
    damutt, Dec 5, 2015
    #5
    bp88 Thanks this.
  8. Dec 5, 2015 #6
    Rock 'n Roll Relocater

    Rock 'n Roll Relocater Medium Load Member

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    Nov 16, 2015
    Near Music City
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    Damutt is right. Backing a spread axle is a one off every time. There are two many variables involved to have a simple answer. I only ever pulled one that didn't have a dump valve and it was a pain in the ###....
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 5, 2015
    Reason for edit: Please don't skirt the fillter, anyone aware knows what you would like to say, we get it
    Rock 'n Roll Relocater, Dec 5, 2015
    Rock 'n Roll Relocater, Dec 5, 2015
    #6
  9. Dec 5, 2015 #7
    skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

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    The Village, Portmeirion
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    It seems like they start to get stickey at 36k or so. If you can keep the weight off, it will help alot.
     
    skellr, Dec 5, 2015
    skellr, Dec 5, 2015
    #7
  10. Dec 5, 2015 #8
    Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Aug 24, 2011
    Tampa, Fl
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    Agree with everything.

    The spread wants to stay in a straight line. You are forcing 2 non steerable axles that are spread apart into a turn.

    Depending on where the weight falls will determine where and how it pivots. For me personally,... even distribution would be ideal as it makes the swing more predictable in tight spaces that you mention.

    You will have to learn to use your best judgement and intuition each time you back up. I try my best not to drag my trailer at more than a 45 deg angle. How ever... anyone here can tell you.. this is not a perfect world and thats not always going to happen.

    Bare in mind that as you are jack knifing the trailer.. the closer you are to a 90 deg angle.. the 5th wheel will be more prone to tilting and allowing the trailer and the load on it to rock and potentially become unstable.

    Common sense is the best advise here.

    Hurst
     
    Hurst, Dec 5, 2015
    Hurst, Dec 5, 2015
    #8
    Rock 'n Roll Relocater Thanks this.
  11. Dec 5, 2015 #9
    CasanovaCruiser

    CasanovaCruiser Road Train Member

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    Jun 2, 2015
    Indiana
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    I only pulled a spread for a little while but this brought back the pain in the rear that it was.
    Seemed like anytime I was backing if I could see the marker lights in my West Coasts that trailer was about to start bucking lol
     
    CasanovaCruiser, Dec 5, 2015
    CasanovaCruiser, Dec 5, 2015
    #9
    Hurst Thanks this.
  12. Dec 5, 2015 #10
    Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

    6,618
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    Aug 24, 2011
    Tampa, Fl
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    I just caught my 45 degree angle goof. What is the opposite of 45 degree? -45 degree? 90 degree is squared.. 360 degree.. so 120 degree angle?

    I am truly sorry... but I suck at math and geometry.

    Hurst
     
    Hurst, Dec 5, 2015
    Hurst, Dec 5, 2015
    #10
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