Opening and Closing a Spread Axle Trailer

That is why I prefer to leave nothing open to interpretation.

 

You can also use wheel chocks to help. There are slideable spreads out there that basically have nothing to assist.

 

I may have missed this but is the trailer loaded when your trying to slide the axles. Generally they don't slide very well with a load on. All ours here only slide when empty. Put a load on them and we would damage something.

Ours also have a "Air Valve" that the drivers pushes in to release the pins and the safety. Other trailers have the old style pull rod to release the pins. Sometimes the trailers slide easier with the air suspension down as well.

Without seeing a picture of your setup it's hard to make an educated guess.

 

I prefer to have a little weight on as it makes it easier to slide on certain surfaces. As in 20,000 lbs or less. A full load on will gouge the tires and empty will have me dragging the one axle around (as the brake is locked for sliding) the parking lot so a little weight is good.

 

Why not use wheel chocks instead of the brakes?

 

Well there ya go. LOL

 

Hey at least you learned something here.

 

My trailer automatically locks the brakes on one axle when doing the slide. You could use wheels chocks or a 4 x 4 to assist but why drag extra stuff around that I dont need?