first time driving spread axle flatbed

I think I've been stuck behind you a few times. The light turned red before you made it through the intersection.

 

I prefer backing the spreads we have. In fact most of our trailers are spreads. When I have to back a tandem axle its like backing up a wiggle wagon. If u have to drag an axle try to be on gravel or snow. If your going to have to drag an axle try to do it when empty.

get a load sedum ent book

 

One little point when backing is to make sure you are getting the turning done before you start getting your trailer between the trucks on each side as much as is possible. You want the trailer going into the hole as straight as possible. The reason is you have a lot more "tail-swing" with a spread. Especially a 53 footer. If you are pivoting on the front inside tire, its a long way from there to the far rear corner of the trailer. Start into a hole at too much of an angle, and you can hit the far truck pretty easy. That's why dump-valves help. Takes the pressure off and helps to move the pivot to the rear axle, as one other post noted. Helps reduce the tail swing.

 

Another thing when your pulling a spread axle trailer with a 10'1' spread your allowed 40,000lbs on the trailer as long as there licensed for it. When I load a trailer even I will always be heavier on the trailer axles than on the drives because your front axle will be taking some of the weight off of the drives.