Is it possible to have fixed spread axles moved?

Antares trailer/direct trailer. Buy one new and spec it out for what you'll be doing with it. You'll look much more professional shoeing up with the right equipment to a job.

This video shows the axle setup on a flatbed. They do steps too.

 

Short answer is no you can't modify the rear axle to slide. The suspension is most likely a torsion bar set up. You would have to cut the old off and build a sliding subframe position all the hose to make it ride inline with the front axle. You can't weld to the frame it will as it will weaken the integrity of it. You can however add a dump to the rear or lift to the front. You will also be able to use your trailer for hauling other stuff besides your own equipment if the need ever arises. You will also have a higher resale value if time comes to ever sale or upgrade. If you really need a closed tandem buy one. Or buy a trailer with sliding subframes, they make them.

 

You can slide your 5th wheel forward if need be, that will shorten your overall length if you got the rail space. Or, like mentioned above, 45 footer.

@Hurst i delivered to a job site 2 weeks ago. With a step. I've now got one messed up mudflap. I need to buy a new mounting bracket and the plate with the dot decals on it for $50. And reuse the mudflap. I had to shorten all the way to avoid running over not yet installed fire hydrants and ground valves. And what not.

 

That is a much better then the Utility trailers set up for the rear axle slider. Manual pull pin and an push/pull valve that releases the spring brakes on the front axle. That leaves the rear spring brakes to hold the rear axle in place. Its almost impossible to open your axles once loaded and even a crap shoot if your empty. A much better system would be a valve that applies the service brakes on the rear axle like the video above.

 

Not sure I understand what loosing a mudflap has to do with a step?

Given the same scenario if you back into some with a regular tandem you could loose a mudflap too right?

Maybe I'm not comprehending what you mean?

I still have all of my mudflaps... I dont put my truck where I think I might get stuck or hit something. I've been in situations where if they wanted the load.. they had to come load me off the street.

Hurst

 

@Hurst

When you shorten the wheelbase to get around a job site full of objects sticking out of the ground. Pulling a stepdeck. The TRUCK mudflap gets jammed into the stepdeck landing gear. All our top decks are 10 feet.

You don't have that problem with a flat becuase the landing gear is mounted farther back.

My 5th wheel is positioned 5th hole from the front. Puts my steer weight at 12,700 with full tanks. Any closer and the mudflaps hit a stepdeck.

 

Your step might be like that... I have a 10ft deck with 18" king pin set back. I also keep my 5th slid back at farthest back setting. I never move the 5th. At most.. I have closed my tandems to shorten the turning radius. Now that I have discovered that I have a dump valve on my rear axle.. I've been using that like a kid on Christmas with a new toy.

My mudflaps on my tractor are impossible to ever come.in contact with my landing gear. I have like 5 - 6ft space. I routinely walk under between my tractor and deck.

I would not want a trailer like you are describing... or at the very least... not set my 5th wheel so my mudflaps would come in contact with my landing gear. I have not been in a situation where it was needed.

Like I said... if I cant get to them with out tearing my truck up or damaging property.. they need to come to me. I've come across a few places where my truck was not going to get in or out with out some battle scars. I walked in. Found the contractor.. they brought the Lull out to the street and unloaded me there. Most contractor are pretty easy going and will work with you. Just explain the problem to them. Often the respond that other trucks have been inside. To which I repond... how long was the trailer? Day cab with a 48ft trailer will do things an otr truck with 250" wb and 53' trailer cant.


Hurst

 

I've seen LOTS of otr drivers claim they can't get in somewhere that we go everyday. I always loved putting a crane together somewhere just to have the guy delivering whatever we were going to unload say they can't get in there.

 

The people saying they're hard to maneuver don't have a dump on their rear axle.

 

My truck has a longer WB then the last truck. The boss wanted so we wouldn't have to buy permits. But we're still buying permits. And considering the places and state we mostly go. STUPIDEST thing he did. Not only is he still buying permits. He's now added the cost of tires. If we can get the load on the way we want, which is rare as the shipper won't do it most times. We're only saving the cost of that one trip AZ permit. But we don't haul much 60 feet.

I won't run with my 5th wheel back. Too many times the rear is heavy and you have to slide the 5th wheel forward.
I have it set for 12,700 on the drives and that's where it stays. I don't have to worry about moving the 5th wheel. There's no more room for forward movement. (weightwise) Only back, And back only happens when i'm hauling 55 feet PLUS.

You've also got the fuel economy factor. There's a reason why van trucks are shorter WB and vans sucked up to the cab. The farther back you go, the more the wind factor kicks in and lowers the fuel economy.