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Proper Lift Axle & Dump Axle timing

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by SheepDog, Feb 15, 2016.

  1. Feb 15, 2016 #1
    SheepDog

    SheepDog Road Train Member

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    I have a 48' Step, with spread axle's.... The front axle is a lift, and the rear has a dump. I also have a switch on the trailer itself, that will dump air out of both axle's, which lowers the whole trailer about 3"... Anyway. I am hoping some seasoned veteran's will chive in and give some insight to when the best/worst time to lift the front axle, and best/worst time to dump the rear.

    Just to give an example; when empty, I dump the rear axle every time I make a turn. Also when I am empty, I lift the front axle when going down highways or interstates...

    The main reason I am bringing this up is; I am having problems with when I can use the lift axle when trailer is loaded. I will dump the rear when turning but sometimes, the front axle still drags pretty bad. When is it ok to lift the front axle, how heavy is ok? All Alum trailer...
     
    SheepDog, Feb 15, 2016
    SheepDog, Feb 15, 2016
    #1
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  3. Feb 15, 2016 #2
    cnsper

    cnsper Road Train Member

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    Personally I would never dump or lift when loaded. You are taking 40k and putting it on a 23k axle. Not to mention the stress on the main beam. the correct thing to do is make wider turns. Sometimes it is not possible but that is the drawback of running a spread axle trailer. Tires are cheaper than suspension repair or cracking the main beam.
     
    cnsper, Feb 15, 2016
    cnsper, Feb 15, 2016
    #2
    areelius, damutt and SheepDog Thank this.
  4. Feb 15, 2016 #3
    cnsper

    cnsper Road Train Member

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    I forgot about the switch that dumps both axles. I use that when I am hauling a single heavy piece so when it is lifted off the trailer the airbags do not get stretched. An example is when I recently hauled 2 30k pieced on our 4 axle. Dumped the air in the truck and trailer suspension while I was unchaining.
     
    cnsper, Feb 15, 2016
    cnsper, Feb 15, 2016
    #3
    SheepDog Thanks this.
  5. Feb 15, 2016 #4
    SheepDog

    SheepDog Road Train Member

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    Sand Lake, MI
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    Both good points,,,thanks for replying...
    I do take as wide a turn as I can, at all times.. It kills me to see these messed up curbs at truck stops, only because a driver could not wait...lol Your right though, tires are cheaper than suspension parts.
     
    SheepDog, Feb 15, 2016
    SheepDog, Feb 15, 2016
    #4
  7. Feb 15, 2016 #5
    baha

    baha Road Train Member

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    When running empty you can adj. the rear ride hi. valve to ride a lot hi. so ft. axle tires will not drag on rough bridges at hi. speed and you can flip them back to normal when loaded.
     
    baha, Feb 15, 2016
    baha, Feb 15, 2016
    #5
  8. Feb 16, 2016 #6
    Zeviander

    Zeviander Road Train Member

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    Triaxles are fairly common here in Canada (our equivalent to your spread) and I think the invention of the lift axle made a lot of fleet managers happy and a lot of tire suppliers really angry.
     
    Zeviander, Feb 16, 2016
    Zeviander, Feb 16, 2016
    #6
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