Converting a 2019 W900 3 axle to 4 axles

I have a 2019 W900 with 3 axles.
I recently came across an opportunity which will require a 4 axle truck.
Is it feasible to add a lift axle to the rear? And would it be very expensive?
Would there be any major drawbacks to this approach?
Thanks in advance.

 

My first truck was a 97 FLD they added 2 foot of frame to the rear and slid the tandems back to make room
for the lift axel, Hauled paper rolls from Ponderay to SLC

 

The cost side of it varies greatly. Mostly depending on if anything needs to be moved and frame added on etc. If there is already space for a lift axle already and it's pretty clean and open on the frame I would suspect the cosy to be about 1000-2000 just in buying all the parts and hoses. Probably another 1000 in labor. I would call around to some truck shops and get some quotes NOT dealers though they will bend you over the sink.

 

The only thing I would consider is how much weight you're actually pulling. I don't know how your truck is set up, but do you need a double frame for the amount of weight that you're pulling?

I only ask that because I have a friend that was going to do the same to his truck and decided against it because it was a single frame.

 

Yeah, I'll shop. But do you all think the lift in the rear is practical? I mostly see front axle lift.

 

Just me personally I would put the lift in front of my drives. And also what spec axle are you putting? 10-12K? 20K? The reason I would say put the lift in front of the drives is I would be worried about the possibility of overloading that lift. I might be wrong on this just what I think would happen.

 

Well, 20k is the plan. But the placement of the 5th wheel rail will keep things balanced. When maxed, the 5th wheel will want to be over the middle axle.
I think adding the axle forward would create too many complications and cost.

 

Most all that I see are in the front as well, but I have seen a few in the rear. In my mind, the biggest drawback to having one in the rear is if you also have work in which having the lift down is not required. You probably wouldn't be able to slide the fifth wheel forward enough to be able to run with the tag lifted.

What type of trailer would you be pulling?

 

Yes. Definately need to check those numbers.
Looking at a 55 ton with 110 inch clearance.
Hoping I can get a smaller wheel combo that can support 20k.

 

There is another thread going on that might pertain to what you are doing:

Jo Dog / Single Axle Jeep

That one pertains to single axle jeep, but there is some relevant information that you might be able to use.