Fifth wheel height for pulling tanker?

Discussion in 'Tanker, Bulk and Dump Trucking Forum' started by me myself and I, Oct 5, 2018.

  1. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    If a guy wanted to. Couldn't the levelor be adjusted? Provided there's an adjustment. Or would that be bad for the air bags?
     
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  3. BKLusk64

    BKLusk64 Light Load Member

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    I didn't think there is a "standard" fifth wheel hight. You can spec what ever hight you want to match the trailer you pull.
     
  4. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    Standard Height.

    Where most trucks sit. They don't just come from the factory all over the ruler range. Trailers are the same. No need for varying heights.

    Now if you're talking some type of specialized trailer. (Heavy Haul, etc) Might be a different story.

    My 5th wheel pulls a tank. In it's beginning days it pulled a van. I think it pulled flats second. All 3 types on factory height.
     
  5. me myself and I

    me myself and I Heavy Load Member

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    Why then do i see tankers pulling truck with fifth wheels so high?
     
  6. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    That goes with specialized reasons.

    Tanks can't move the load around. The weight that goes on front. Is also the weight that goes on back. And since the front axles weigh more then the back axles. The front will hit 34k while the back only weights 32k or less. Raise the 5th wheel to tilt the tank. Puts more weight on the back to allow for more gallons in trailer to hit 80k pounds.

    Raising the 5th wheel is the only way to shift the weight of the load.
     
    spindrift Thanks this.
  7. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    With a one compartment trailer it helps get weight off the drives and back on the trailer tandems.....


    Also with a rear discharge tank it helps emptying it out completely.... retained product is a problem a lot of times.....
    I have the 8.62 “legs” on my 5th wheel.. but I’m no where near the truck so I can’t measure it......
     
  8. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I've seen trucks that had a valve plumbed into the air suspension that allowed the driver to bypass the leveling valve. The bags could be extended high enough to really help when unloading a rear dump. Worked especially well on the thick liquids. The valve was energized by a switch in the cab and would only work if the parking brake was set.
     
  9. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Dumping the trailer air helps too.......
     
  10. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Almost all of our trailers are spring ride
     
  11. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Boo......^^^^
     
    kemosabi49 Thanks this.
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