How far to slide tandems?

I can't swear to it but I believe each hole on the trailer is about 500lbs.

 

Flats is a whole new ball game. When I pulled vans the trailers I had were 500 per hole. I flat. I never slide my fifth wheel. Get an empty weight full of fuel before you start loading your flat. You tell the shipper where to place the load. I am trying to remember seems like for every foot you move the load you move about a 1000 lbs. It is easiest to center load. Your state pockets are 2 foot apart. If you are getting 6 bundles of bar that is 20 foot. You can count your state pockets from the center 20 forward and 20 rear to set your timbers. Most trailers the center light is in the middle of your trailer.

You need to make sure you are loaded right. You get an overweight in a coop and there is no sliding axles. It is wrecker time to move bundles..$$$$

 

I would accept the 250lbs for 5th wheel notch. Another thing to consider is clearance fot the trailer when you move the 5th wheel. Many will move it forward for weight and for increased aero effect but move it back for docking. I got my headache rach from a guy that forgot to move his 5th wheel back and the container trailer had a short pin placement. Backed her up and bent the rack legs pretty good.

 

Get yourself a set vise-grip pliers, they'll come in handy for locking the release lever, for those pesky trailer's.

 

The averages are about right, 250 a hole for the 5th wheel and 500 a hole for the trailer but this is just an average and can change with the manufacture.

Also get your self a 2lb hammer, pry bar and a short pice of 6x6. May need to use the hammer to knock the pins in on the trailer and the hammer and pry bar to knock the pins in on the 5th wheel. Sometimes need a chock block to keep from dragging the trailer if its loaded heavy. And if your loaded heavy and have to move the 5th wheel it helps to crnak the dolly legs down and take some weight off the tractor.

 

Not to be contrary but with the trucks and trailers I have driven the weights are just the opposite of what has been posted so far.

1 notch on a sliding fifth wheel has always been 500 lbs. These weights have been consistent with driving Freightliner, Volvo, and International trucks with sliding fifth wheels.

While 1 hole on the trailer slide was equivalent to 250 lbs. The trailers I have pulled have all been dry vans of various sizes and makes such as Great Dane, Fruehauf, Strick, Utility, Wabash, etc.

 

Its been my experince 200 - 250 on tractor depending on model and trailer it depends on the manufacture. Reefers can get tricky since the reefers weigh 1500 -2000 lbs depending on their age and who makes them.