Does overly biased tandem weight add drag?

The only two possible differences I can see are:

Weight on the tandems is on trailer tires, not the drive tires. Typically, trailer tires are lower rolling resistance than drive tires. Advantage: tandem heavy.

A drive heavy trailer will have the tandems closer to the tractor, and the farther back the tandems, the more wind resistance. Advantage: drive heavy.

You guys figure out what wins?

 

No you are over thinking it.

The drive line has a certain amount of flexibility in it. Once it is exceeded the power fails to be distributed.

I once ran clean off a divided highway in thick rain which I consider a formal accident in so far that is concerned. Headed for a house and enbankment. Whipsawed the wheel sunk a foot into that mud slammed the detriot to max power just above torque. She was losing RPM very fast but fortunately responded like a kicked colt and bounced back onto pavement just before hitting the embankment to be rolled onto my roof.

Im glad it worked out that time. I would not be here if it didnt.

 

Anecdotally I would agree that running unbalanced impacts fuel ecomony. Thats based more on my observations than rigorous scientific study.

I find when Im trailer heavy in the hills I have to downshift more, and I get pushed a little more going down. I would also posit that the bouncing will increase friction which requires more energy to overcome

 

My guess is the physics say no.....

But I can’t prove it...:-/

 

Most trailers today have skirts. Keeping the tandems tucked in closer to the skirt (heavier trailer weight) might help keep drag minimized.

I see know discernible difference to mpg as far as how the weight is distributed but it is mandatory in winter to keep drives from being significantly lighter than other trailer weights especially when having to climb steep grades on slick roads

 

The whole issue is based on rolling resistance. The reason a train can move so much weight with few horsepower.
As far as stability, you want the drives to be heavier than the trailers tandems. Just as if your pulling a set of doubles you want the lead trailer to be heavier than the rear.

 

That is the one thing I tend to do for winter mountains, load up the drives and 34000 be ###### provided there isnt any scale around to burn me at the stake.

 

Just add chrome and every truck will go faster and make more money. It's the secret to trucking. Shhh

 

That's partially true but there is also the requisite minimum of 38 additional chicken lights on the tractor/trailer combination before that rule can be realized to the fullest extent. (Over and above DOT minimum requirements)

 

38 per side
Come on guys get with the program