Drop deck trailer load

You had a blown air bag and they let you go...blown air bag and no air leak?

 

Ron, sorry I had to run but you did get your answer?

There is a learning curve when pulling a step.

Sound like you have other issues. First off, do you have a low riding tractor of low fifth wheel? If so that could be the issue with being over on the lead axle.

Second, I would've probably loaded this load against the neck. As others have said and I learned, the weight don't transfer thru the neck of a step like you think it would. Steps just don't transfer weight evenly like a flat.

How much weight do you have on the back axle and does it even have any air in it? Sounds like you have an air ride issue.

 

I'd be willing to bet your front bags are squashed and the back bag look extended out all the way. Air ride should still equal out but an old weak trailer is hard to compensate for.

 

Sounds to me like you need to find out what the proper ride height is for you trailer and adjust you leveling valves accordingly. You may also have a faulty level valve or bent rod.

 

Also, why are you not scaling these loads at the CAT scale???

 

We run 24.5 drive tires and 22.5 LP on the trailer. For this reason we prefer to load heavier on the drives, which as noted is difficult on step decks. We instruct drivers to center the load 6-12" in front of the center of the trailer. It is hard to get drivers to understand that just because it is legal to put 40K back there doesn't mean it is a good idea. We have seen our tire prices go up $100 per tire this year.

 

When in doubt go to the CAT scale. When you ck. your tires put your hand on the tire and you will be able to tell the temp. difference between an axle that has 28K on it and an axle that has 10K on it. This works for wheel bearings too. Where you put your lumber under the load effects how it scales out. If you do not weight it you will never learn where to put stuff. Buying a 17 year old trailer is iffy at best. Get the trailer serial number and call EAST. My bet is first they tell you to ck. ride height and suspension. Second have East or Mac put some camber back in it. After 2 fairly major problems(blown tires,scale house giving you a big time break) i think it is time to start weighting the load.

 

I was thinking the same thing in relation to his reply. It didn't make sence.