What is the average cost of adding a lift axle?

AFC · Sep 30, 2025

Razororange said: ↑

Good on you for securing it properly.

I may have come across as a bit harsh in earlier posts only because I hate seeing people hurt the market unintentionally even if they mean well. I understand wanting to move up and improve your situation and I wish you the best in doing that.

The fact that you thought to ask questions on this forum and to the guy where you loaded already shows you have more potential for success that the large majority of drivers on the road. You have taken the advice given and listened to some of it.

You said you were over on your drives. Did you try moving the machine? Do you have scales on your tractor and trailer? Even if they are just pressure guages you can start keeping track of what they read compared to scale weights and make yourself a bit of a cheatsheet going forward.

Consider keeping a notebook or a notes file on your phone with measurements and weights for each load you do. Especially for heavy equipment that you will probably haul the same model again. Once you figure out the correct placement for weight with something like that excavator measure from one end of the track to the end of the trailer well. That way next time you load that model you can just put a piece of tape or something on the deck where the end of the track should go and then you dont have to spend time moving it around after loading .
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In regards to my gauges: My trucks drive suspension goes 50-60-70-and then 120. Right at 60 I’m 34k right at even a little past it I’m 38k. After the 70 I have no idea because it’s a wide open space until 120.
My trailers suspension gauges I am working on. All the numbers that equate to pounds have been weathered out. Plan on using web resources/AI and worst case calling the manufacturer. It’s been pretty heck tick for me.

AFC · Sep 30, 2025

nikmirbre said: ↑

The picture of the excavator.... you can load it all the way to the rear and swing the arm around the front......
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The loader said not enough deck space in the front. I didn’t question or try to figure that out. Didn’t want to mess with the counter weight nor damage anything in a truck stop.

nikmirbre · Sep 30, 2025

AFC said: ↑

The loader said not enough deck space in the front. I didn’t question or try to figure that out. Didn’t want to mess with the counter weight nor damage anything in a truck stop.
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No there may not have been when you had the excavator in the middle of the trailer but, move it all the way to the rear and you'll have enough room to put the boom in the front since your trailer doesnt have a boom well......

AFC · Sep 30, 2025

nikmirbre said: ↑

No there may not have been when you had the excavator in the middle of the trailer but, move it all the way to the rear and you'll have enough room to put the boom in the front since your trailer doesnt have a boom well......
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I’ve dropped it off today. I also watched some YouTube videos on the loading and unloading of it. Only thing down the road is to learn how to load and unload it from the side of the trailer!

Oxbow · Sep 30, 2025

AFC said: ↑

I’ve dropped it off today. I also watched some YouTube videos on the loading and unloading of it. Only thing down the road is to learn how to load and unload it from the side of the trailer!
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Side load/unload should only be used as a last resort. It is very hard on a trailer.

Razororange · Sep 30, 2025

AFC said: ↑

In regards to my gauges: My trucks drive suspension goes 50-60-70-and then 120. Right at 60 I’m 34k right at even a little past it I’m 38k. After the 70 I have no idea because it’s a wide open space until 120.
My trailers suspension gauges I am working on. All the numbers that equate to pounds have been weathered out. Plan on using web resources/AI and worst case calling the manufacturer. It’s been pretty heck tick for me.
Click to expand...

For your trailer this chart should be pretty close. You can probably crawl under the trailer and look for the ID number on the airbags and compare it to the 2 in the top right of the chart.

Sons Hero · Sep 30, 2025

AFC said: ↑

I’ve dropped it off today. I also watched some YouTube videos on the loading and unloading of it. Only thing down the road is to learn how to load and unload it from the side of the trailer!
Click to expand...

AFC · Oct 1, 2025

Razororange said: ↑

For your trailer this chart should be pretty close. You can probably crawl under the trailer and look for the ID number on the airbags and compare it to the 2 in the top right of the chart.

View attachment 570448
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Wow. Thank you!

ElmerFudpucker · Oct 1, 2025

Oxbow said: ↑

Side load/unload should only be used as a last resort. It is very hard on a trailer.
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Sons Hero said: ↑

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You guys need to stop scaring him. Side loading is the best way to do it.

Sons Hero · Oct 1, 2025

ElmerFudpucker said: ↑

You guys need to stop scaring him. Side loading is the best way to do it.
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Only when the deck is icy. Then, you have no other options

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