Backing 48' fixed spread axle trailer in tight spots

I just started a new job where we drop and hook in a spot where you have to jackknife the trailer into the spot, and park at an angle to get the other trailer out. First time I had to jack-knife the spread axle into the spot I thought "this is so wrong." It went against everything you learned about backing a spread.

 

As long as the company is aware of the damage your causing by knifing a spread. Its their gear

 

I'm no mechanical genius but I'm betting jack knifing a spread puts alot of strain on the axles and hubs as well.

 

Jacking a spread axle hard can and does do a lot of damage.

Besides rolling over the tires, busting up the rim bead and over loading the sidewalks. It is also possible to cut a sidewall on the wheel rim. (Watched it happen once)
Wheel bearings are not designed for a side load that can be put on them when jacking a trailer hard. Same for Axle spindles.

 

I if it don't look right it probably isnt.

 

When I started pulling this spread axle in May the owner put 8 new trailer tires on within a month. The front tires were pretty shot when I took over. We did a walk around of the truck and trailer, looking for things to fix when I take a week off. He was amazed that the trailer tires were still good. He normally goes through a set of front axle tires twice a year.

I explained that I trouble shot the dump valve problem. I replaced the dump valve pigtail end, rewiring it and lengthening the spring so it won't put too much side stress on the socket. Now the dump valve works like a charm, just have to wait a few seconds for the rear air bags to dump completely.

I dump the rear bags in tight turns in city traffic. Makes a huge difference in savings on tires alone.

 

A few years ago me and the old man went after a crusher jaw in Ohio for a cousin of mine. The jaw was guessed at around 40K alone, plus had some short conveyors and odd ball pieces. Loaded with 2 loaders in a pit with no scale. A good old fly by the seat of your pants deal. The jaw had to sit way farther back than I wanted to be able to get the conveyors on. Of course it is Friday and 5:00 by the time we head out the gate. We hit the first cat scale we found. Ended up exactly 40,000 on the spread and 80,000 gross.
Not kidding, I framed the ticket.
Long way from what I would like but good enough for that day.
So we get on down the road. A little before midnight I said the heck with it, lets just get a motel and find a restaurant with a bar. He thought he knew of a place. So I pull on in to this motel that had a couple of oversize loads out back.
Crap. I cant make it around the building. They have the whole show blocked.
Ok. Plan B.
I'll pull up in front of the main entrance and do a Y turn and back out on the side street. End up in the same spot I wanted.
About halfway through my turn backing up I blew a trailer tire right off the bead.
Sounded like a bomb went off.
Right next to the motel.
At midnight.
I think half of the room lights came on and I know the other half was peeking out to see what the **** just happened.
Got er parked, shut down and looked over.
Me and dad went strolling into the motel trying not to laugh while people where coming out to find out what blew up.

 

When I first started pulling a spread No one gave me a heads up and I chewed up 3 to 4 tires before I figured it out. I'm doing alot better now. Can't wait till they hook the dump valve up.

 

Not sure if all trailers are the same, but my dump valve releases the air bags on the rear axle. This makes a huge difference squeezing around tight city corners.

 

I haven't the slightest but I think they said they're setting it up on the front.