tandems and backing

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by duckdiver, Jul 31, 2012.

  1. duckdiver

    duckdiver Road Train Member

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    i rarely slid my tandems all the way back unless the reciever/shipper required it, only then would i do it once i was pretty much backed in. i was talking to my buddy the other day who just started driving and he says he slides them all the way back each time he backs in and swears its easier because the trailer doesnt swing out, might have to try this since im always paranoid of the trailer swing hitting and hitting the trailer on my right, anyone else do this?
     
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  3. CAXPT

    CAXPT Road Train Member

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    Yes, but you need to learn to back with the trailer tandems in different positions. Driving/backing isn't a one size fits all answer. Tandems all the way back is really only usable when you have so much room, you can swing the whole truck 90 degrees. A lot of areas you deliver to, you won't have the luxury of that much room.

    It's a good skill to develop, but better to learn to adjust your backing for different tandem settings than the other way around. If you don't, then you may get complacent about the tail and forget the front bumper clearance.

    Good Luck.
     
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  4. Winkjr

    Winkjr Road Train Member

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    Listen to this guy he makes sense.
     
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  5. Gizmo_Man

    Gizmo_Man Road Train Member

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    when i did my time as an OTR driver, i made sure the tandems were in king-pin spec. i would only slide them when the load required me to for weight.

    currently, i deliver to the same place 5 nights a week in "Chinatown" Boston.

    i have my tandems ALL THE WAY FORWARD, and leave them there for all my route. not only am i in king-pin specs, but the weights i haul are less than 15,000 pounds each night, so i have no weight worries.

    i actually find it EASIER to swing my trailer where i want it to go with the tandems all the way forward. but this is MY RUN, MY ROUTE....your individual results may vary.
     
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  6. Winkjr

    Winkjr Road Train Member

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    I been in downtown Boston once at the convention center. But just like I do when I go to NYC I slide them all the way up. Other than that I have a 48 that there closer to the back.
     
  7. HwyPrsnr

    HwyPrsnr Medium Load Member

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    Try this in one of your yards and you will then understand what Im about to explain. Sliding the tandems all the way forward doesnt really help you backing up. It only helps when going in a forward motion. Its only an illusion backing up. Kinda like Jack and his beanstalk beans. It cant MAGICALY shrink your trailer. When your tandems are to the rear, you will alwats kno where the rear of yor trailer is. We all kno that is always a plus. When you have that swing, anything goes. Thats why 75% of all accidents in trucks are caused from backing. Thats a fact. Because everyone wants to THINK it shrinks the trailer. Sorry, thats impossible. Try it over and over in an mt lot with trailers and after doing it both ways about a dozen times and you will see what Im saying. Watch the 48ft a/r spread axles. When they dump the air in the front axle to raise it off ground, not the rear. Why? Think about it. Just try it out. Have a blessed day.
     
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  8. good for nuthin'

    good for nuthin' Light Load Member

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    CAXPT is right on the money.You do need to learn how to back with all different kinds of lengths.Some docks will be too low if you have the tandems all the way back, and some will be too high.Trailers even back differently with split tandems.the two best notions to keep in your head are these....
    1.No matter how good you are, you will eventually hit something(or come close).even the best of us have off days when an easy backing just goes all awry.
    2.Is when your backing,look and steer with the tandem wheels(like a forklift) but be mindful of the swing(and snaking) of the tractor.Your basically pushing the tandems(steering) with the tractor as the pusher.
     
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  9. rockee

    rockee Road Train Member

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    Hwy you are right it does not shrink the trailer or the length of it but it does lessen the distance from king pin to tandems which can help getting into a spot that has no room in front, and city turns.
     
  10. dirtyjerz

    dirtyjerz glowing beard pouty kid

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    Hwy i pulled spread axles for a while and always had the dump for the rear axle. When backing dumped it would let the rear slide on the ground while pivotting the trailer on the front axle.

    Caxpt, right on the money. I like my tandems set at the 41' mark cause it turns more like ar spread but ya get used to them all.
     
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  11. JST

    JST Bobtail Member

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    CAXPT is absolutely correct. I've had to deliver at places that force you to put your tandems all the way back before you drop the trailer and then you find out there isn't enough room to plug the hole. So ultimately I had to move the tandems forward again just to crank it in the hole, then get out and move them back again. Pain in the Butt!

    Backing with the Tandems all the way back is easier, but you need a GIANT Parking Lot to do it!

    Practice is the only way to get really good at backing.

    Take Care and Good Luck.
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