Another Question for a Flatbedder...

Lots of flat bedders run split axle trailers. I do not know if they are adjustable.

 

Called a spread axle.

 

Yep, my bad on the name of it..

 

No problem. If you ever see a flatbedder trying to back (most seldom have to) and they can't get it in the hole at the truckstop. They will blame it on the spread axle!

 

it is a ten fot spread usually but somtimes less (from axle center to axle center.) If the axles are together like a mormal tandem you can put 34k ounds on them. if you spread them 10 foot apart you can put 40k pounds on the same axles just because they are spread apart I think 6 fot spread gets you 38k pounds

still cant go over 80k gross though

 

The spread axles are set at a certain spacing based on the way they are ordered from the factory (weight ratings, etc.)

Having gone from a 53' dry box to a 48' flatbed, they are harder to back. It takes twice the steering input to get that trailer to pivot.

 

Actually, there are flatbed trailers where the rear axle only can slide, which allows the trailer to be run as an open spread axle, or an a closed tandem axle trailer. In the open position, there is the standard 10'1" between the center of the axles and it is a spread axle trailer and meets the weight laws applicable for that. In the clossed position, the rear axle is slid forward to the standard closed tandem position, with a 3'"6" distance from center to center on the axles. These are a fairly new design, over the last few years and not all that common, but gaining in popularity pretty rapidly. You could space them at any point along the way if the locating holes are there, though there are no weight advantages to doing so.

 

you sure there isn't any weight advantage other than 10 foot? We have some PET scanner trailers that arrived with 6 foot spreads and they say it's because they only have 38K on them so they didn't ned the ten foot. I always considered a six foot spread a "canadian spread" not even sure if that's right but I know they don't honor the ten foot spread. Our MRI scanners all have ten foot spreads

 

There may be a formula for other spacings, but 10 is a standard one. I'm not sure if they have the holes for alternate spacing or not. Some manufacturers try to make things as idiot proof as possible.