Tandems forward or back when backing into tight spots ??

My brother learned the hard way on sliding tandems back at the gatehouse. Ripped door off trailer. Lol.

 

I find it easier to back a trailer with the tandems slid toward the back. Its easier to aim IMO. I like to run with the tandems set with the 41 foot mark at the center of the rear tandems. Seems to give the best balance for backing and manuevering. Most loads.scale out at that setting and its legal in most states.

 

^ that is how I, and most drivers at my co. run the tandems, very few loads require that they be slid. Agree about handling as well.

 

41' is legal in all states. California is the most restricted state with a 41' maximum bridge law.

 

CA is 40 foot to the rear most axle...

Mikeeee

 

Tandems back takes away the swing. But tandems forward requires you to be aligned to the hole before you are in between the trucks on each side.

Both situations require a bit of skill.

Tandems to the back when docked usually reduces the amount of bounce when the forklift drives in and out. Which creates a more ideal situation for sleeping or writing, reading, watching movies, etc...

Mikeeee

 

i totally agree with you , having hauled flats and possum bellys hauling wood chips and backing onto a chip dump lift. 5 times a nite with two to three inches on each side to play with... I always found backing trailers with axels in rear so much easier. No having to judge where the ### end off the trailer is gonna be in relation to the spot the wheels are.... Nice thing with sliders you can move em anywhere you wanna set em..... And then put em back again....and its not rocket science. I just make sure i double verify my dogs after i charge my trailer again and do a couple fwd and rev tugs to make sure dogs are not hung up and reset properly..... Then get out and eyeball em to be sure.

 

I too like the feel of the trailer at 41' and I really wish California would at least allow it on staa routes...

 

Yeah Cali is 40 ft but Michigan comes in second place with their 40 ft 6 inch restriction... Not many know that and they usually make a lot of money because of it

 

That's right. I stand corrected!