tandem and split axles

Dry vans are typically loaded front to back, usually (though not always), it's a pretty uniform thing. You slide your tandems to adjust, and you're set. Flatbedding, if you're even just a few inches off of center when you load a 46,000 lb. coil, it'll make a big difference.. one you might not be able to account for by sliding tandems. Problem is, you're not going to be able to scale until you've secured the load, tarped, etc. So having spreads gives you some leeway for those instances, as you can gross 40k on a 10 ft. spread, as opposed to 34k on a set of closed tandems. Also, look underneath, and you'll see major differences in how the trailers are built. A van is designed for the weight of the load to be spread out over a distance... for a flatbed, this might not be feasible (case in point, the aforementioned steel coil)... you could have 46,000 lbs. and the only points of contact with the trailer are those coil boards... so flatbeds have to be built a bit sturdier, and you notice they typically have large I beams at the bottom of them. In this configuration, it's not really so feasible to set up sliding tandems (although not impossible.. there are flatbed trailers with sliding tandems, and also some with just a sliding front axle so you can either run it as a closed tandem or as a spread).

 

Some reefers are split axles also.

 

Being able to carry the extra weight on the spreads can save your *** sometimrs. But the difference in the difficulty of backing a spread vs a tandem was suprising to me.

 

It's an adjustment, just like any other. Once you got the hang of it, you've got it. Just like going to a hood from a short wheelbase truck or vice versa. Plus, if worst comes to worst, there's usually a dump valve on these spread axles which will deflate the rear air bags, and move your pivot to the front axle as you're backing up. Shortens your turn radius some, although you have to be wary of the overhang.

 

Yeah, I'm gonna get me a spread reefer. Spreads pull better, handle better and are more stable on the road. I pulled flats for several years and it is a little different backing one but if the trailer has a dump valve on the rear axle it's a lot easier to back than a tandem IMO.

 

So when you scale your split axle they can be 40k. I knew that much. But do they have to be under 20k each. Or as long as the pair is under 40k?

and I've always wondered why I see some reefer trailers with split axles as well. I mean. With them
being loaded front to back. Why bother with the split axle. Yeah you get 40k on the trailer axles. But still. 80k is 80k no matter where the weight is.

The other thing that amused me was that a lot of the time accompanying the split axle reefer trailer is a tractor with a real long extended frame truck between the drives and the cab. Always thought to my self. I want to see them back the extra long truck in some of the places I go to in Chicago.

I have a funny story to go with the topic of split axle reefers. The first time I saw one was right after the guy next to me got loaded. I saw him walk back to release his pins. Then when he went to go back up I only saw one axle move. I was like WTF!! He just broke his tandems. Lol. Took me a minute to realize what it actually was.

 

Don't feel bad. It weirded me out the first time I saw it, too.

 

Yea I eventually figured it out. That dump valve came in handy tonight. Had to blindside into a very tight spot at truck stop. Not sure if could've squeezed in here without it