Load weight distribution

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"Load center"

Above on the right.
Good reading. Someone has posted a formula for this.

Something like.
Measure from kingpin to center of trailer axles. Half that distance is the load center.
Good luck

 

I like to take a step back and visualize the center of the trailer from the kingpin to the center of the trailer axles.

You could load a bit back from that just to be safe if you have a spread axle trailer. but not too much. Heavy on the spread/trailer axles makes it harder to pull, like you are fighting wind all day. All that leaning that happens will travel along the long trailer and push on your 5th wheel like a long pry bar, throwing you around.

Sure, you can whip out some math, but there are too many variables for it to be consistent. how heavy is the truck, how big are the fuel tanks, is the load weight even?

I find that loading at the center (the center between the kingpin and the middle of the trailer axles) is usually good, or even a foot forward past center is good. At least for a straight flatbed.

You will get a feel for it in time, no easy way out but through experience.

 

1 - Find your empty weights for your axle groups:

For simplicity sake we'll say 11,000 - 13,000 - 9,000

2 - What are legal maximums?

12,000 - 34,000 - 34,000

3 - What is the difference?

1,000 - 21,000 - 25,000

*Personally, I usually load the tractor as a single group, so 22,000 lbs of available room

4 - How much does your product weigh?

45,000 lbs of steel bar, 32 feet in length across 5 bundles. So you have 5x 9,000 lb bundles, weighing 281.25 lbs per foot.

5 - Where on the trailer does it go?

4,000 lbs of extra room in back, 800 lbs of room per bundle, 281.25 lbs per foot equals 2.84 feet back from centre.

I know you don't want the mathematician's answer, but this is the easiest way to figure out just where it needs to go.

 

Got a formula for that? just teasing. Sometimes you just got to do the best you can. Axled out ok like that. Thought l shoukd have moved the big coil back a foot and the last one back afoot too. Next time.

 

Michigan trailers don't count, lol.

 

I did not know this was a Michigan post?
Pure Michigan. Lol.

 

Missing an axle to be a Michigan post lol out exploring Ontario? Too old and not brave enough to be running around Michigan with a 5 axle nowadays lol too many weigh in motion scales in the roads anymore.

 

Only a few in da upper peninsula, doe.

 

Fun fact.
Michigan has the least amount of troopers per capita.