Preference: Weight On Drives Or Trailer?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Grumppy, Jul 29, 2014.

  1. Cody1984

    Cody1984 Medium Load Member

    419
    249
    Jan 24, 2014
    PA
    0
    If the load is under 40k and I don't have to scale it the tandems get slid all the way forward every single time. It makes it easier to maneuver which is of more importance to me since I'm a local intermodal driver. Going to the rail yard in Harrisburg PA when it's busy, the yard jockeys placing chassis all over the place, and other drivers dropping containers any which way they can makes backing and just driving around the rail yard interesting at times. Having the tandems slid all the way forward makes life easier in that regard. Not to mention it's better to have them slid forward for city driving and delivering/picking up at customers whose facility our not set up for tractor trailers as well. If the load is heavy then I'm going to scale to where it is legal and that is where I'm going to keep it set that way. As far as the ride goes it seems slightly better to me if the tandems are slid all the way forward.
     
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  3. ‘Olhand

    ‘Olhand Cantankerous Crusty

    6,750
    16,653
    Jan 18, 2011
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    K ....ill post mine jus fer giggles.....

    this load scale ticket

    11670-steers

    34680-drives

    34150-trailer

    79500-gross

    Don't pay attention to holes....but mudflaps just behind door latches....

    So what would yall do--I mean I'm within tolerence w/apu?
    jus wonderin...then I'll say What I did ......oh and BTW that's about how I like wt 500-1k heavier on drives........
     
  4. double yellow

    double yellow Road Train Member

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    Aug 28, 2011
    State of Jefferson
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    Tandems forward for better mpg
     
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  5. FatDaddy

    FatDaddy Road Train Member

    4,314
    10,375
    Dec 23, 2008
    Katy, TX or Swedesboro, NJ
    0
    Spread evenly if possible with slightly more weight on drives. I get optimum fuel efficiency and power on the hills
     
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  6. Voyager1968

    Voyager1968 Road Train Member

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    Sep 11, 2008
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    That load adds up to 80,500 which is over gross. Not saying your ticket didn't read that way, but something was "off".
     
  7. PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

    14,765
    22,569
    Jul 15, 2006
    El Chuco, Tejas
    0
    I like to set the tandems to the Tennessee setting. Best compromise between turning and backing maneuverability
     
  8. Voyager1968

    Voyager1968 Road Train Member

    2,378
    2,907
    Sep 11, 2008
    0
    I do/did the same thing with the PA rule. I ran them there loaded or empty unless weight dictated otherwise.
     
  9. ‘Olhand

    ‘Olhand Cantankerous Crusty

    6,750
    16,653
    Jan 18, 2011
    0
    why is something off? I'm sure ticket right...not sayin its not overgross...jus that apu buys me a lil in most states
    questiion is what would u do?
     
  10. gpsman

    gpsman Road Train Member

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    1,211
    Dec 10, 2013
    45212/59759
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    Looks ~perfect, to me, assuming a 40' bridge.

    I like the drives a little heavier than the tandems, but only because I imagine it provides more control of the trailer/less control of the tractor by the trailer, take your pick.
     
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  11. TLeaHeart

    TLeaHeart Road Train Member

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    2,614
    Apr 1, 2008
    casper, wy
    0
    more on the drives, whenever possible... better control, better traction, smoother ride.

    Unless I am tracking across WYoming in 50mph cross winds... then it is stretch the trailer tandems as far back as possible, to stop the fulcrum forces from the tail of the trailer.
     
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