Advice Setting up a 24' Flatbed (Curtainside) with a Moffett

Truck is a 2012 Peterbilt 24' Flatbed Curtain side. Need to put a Moffett on the back.

Moffett kit weighs 800lbs, M55 Moffett weighs in at 6200lbs.

Anyone know the ideal Wheelbase are Rear Axle to Frame End Limits ?

Wheel base is........................... 257"
Center of Tandem to Bed End....143"
Center of Rear Axle to Bed End....117"
Rear of Tire to Bed End............. 96"
Truck GVWR is 57,200 lbs 17,200lb Front 20,000 x 2 = 40,000 Rear

 

So based on that and the measurements here. How far back do the tandems need to be moved ??

Wheel base is........................... 257"
Center of Tandem to Bed End....143"
Center of Rear Axle to Bed End....117"
Rear of Tire to Bed End............. 96"

It did get an Estimate from a local Truck Frame, Suspension shop of around $3000 - $4000 to move the axles back.

 

Also, what about the possibility of reducing weight off the rear and/or adding ballast up front ?

Could trade in the 6200lb Moffett for a 4200lb Donkey forklift. That would reduce 2,000lbs off the backend.

What about adding ballast up front somewhere. Where and how could this be accomplished and how much to add to balance the weight ??

 

One concern I have with moving the tandems the WHOLE way back is shifting to much weight to the front tires/axle.

I was always concerned about this with our current straight truck. It's a 2008 Intersmashable 8600. It was a daycab that had the frame cut/stretched into making it a 24' flatbed/curtainside. Our 6200lb Moffett rides on the rear. GVWR is around 56,000lbs IIRC.

WIth a full load of around 20,000lbs or so (10 - 1 Ton pallets), the front end always appeared overloaded IMHO. The front end would drop down several inches and the front steers always appeared low on air. Air in them was always good at 105psi or so. View attachment 497974

 

We're sending the Intersmashable to Auction after we get the Peterbilt set up.

You mean for the Pete ?? It's got a 17,200 in it know. Wonder how expensive it would be to upgrade it. ??