Tandem Setting Formula

Good to know. I've rarely seen how my trailers were loaded. 99% drop and hook. Dealing with Reefer. All the loads are were sealed. I didn't see the inside until I got off OTR and unto Regional running for Walmart.
I suppose everybody has a way that works for them. Personally, I like math and numbers. It's good when you know a formula works because it saves time. I returned to a shipper once four times because I was overweight. After the fourth is when I refused the load and it caused me nothing but problems even though I followed company policy. In the end I got screwed for trying to be legal. Keep in mind it was going to Cali so I really only had 5th wheel adjustments.

 

Never mind that all meat cuts have different weights per case. They [sometimes] try and keep overall pallet weights fairly even, but in meats and many other products, you're going to have widely varying pallet weights throughout the load, and especially in multi-stop loads, where there may be pallets scattered in that have only a few cases on them, pushing heavier pallets further to the rear, or vice versa.

So, with these types of loads, the stated net weight [product + pallets + boxes] rarely means anything in terms of being able to "eyeball" a load, especially on pre-loaded and sealed loads.

 

Leeching into this thread for later use

 

I just pay the $1 re-weigh fee.......

 

Attachment not available? Excel macro?

 

Ok. 250 on the tandem "holes." How about the weight shifts on the fifth wheel slide holes.

 

That’s for a dry van formula. My carrier reefer is 275lbs per hole.

Split axle trailers have a different formula too.

 

I see A LOT of bad information presented as “fact” here. Good luck people. I’ve addressed this issue in the past and in prior related threads so I’m no longer going to repeat myself except to say assuming every load has equal weight distribution front to back is going to get you in trouble with your “xxx Per Hole” weight shift theories, sooner or later.

 

I have been using the "Truckerslidecalc" app.... If I am over on the 12/34/34 balance, I put in what the weights actually are, the position where the lead pin is in, and how far apart the holes are on the trailer I actually have.... it does the math for me and tells me how many holes to slide back.... I use a slightly modified slide stop(I inserted an eye bolt through the hole in the one that looks like a thimble and secured it with nuts on the inside and outside and used thread lock on it to make use easy). If it says to slide by 7, I insert it into 8 and slide; then I reengage the pins and pull forward so I can remove it..... then I reweigh..... have not yet have to do a 3rd weigh.

 

I see a lot of shippers with "250 lbs per hole" on their load axle adjustment signs. Personally, I have an air ride gauge for my tractor, I never move my 5th wheel. If the needle is above 64 psi, I slide my tandems up till it's as low as I can get it, then move them back two holes depending on the weight of the load. For me though, with hauling containers, and running 99% Colorado and Wyoming, where we're allowed 36K on drives and tandems.