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Your Opinion: Double Drive Axles Only One Is Powered

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Ker, Jan 1, 2022.

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  1. Jan 1, 2022 #1
    Ker

    Ker Bobtail Member

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    Hi, I recently purchased the tractor that has double drive axles but just one differential on the front drive axle. When I need to backup and I'm empty it skids, especially when I'm backing it up-slope (or uphill? sorry for my Englesky ) , even now on dry pavement. I can only imagine my future adventures in snowy Midwest.
    I noticed that it loses a lot of traction when backing up-slope since most of weight is on the rear drive axle due to being on higher level than the front drive axle.

    And now: do you think it's a good idea to make the switch and mechanism that will lower the suspension only on the rear drive axle, (so the front drive axle airbags will stay inflated, and it will deflate only the rear airbags, which is going to alow most of weight to distribute to front drive axle resulting in more traction.

    Also if you have any idea on how to do this, I would appreciate it.

    If you have any experience driving the truck like this, any advice would be helpful.

    Thank you colleagues .
     
    Ker, Jan 1, 2022
    Ker, Jan 1, 2022
    #1
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  3. Jan 1, 2022 #2
    dchawk81

    dchawk81 Light Load Member

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    They're called tag axles. Rotate your rear axle tires to the front and your fronts to the back. You'll get your traction back until they wear down again.
     
    dchawk81, Jan 1, 2022
    dchawk81, Jan 1, 2022
    #2
    Ker and BennysPennys Thank this.
  4. Jan 1, 2022 #3
    Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

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    Year, make and model of truck?

    Is the truck currently equipped with a suspension dump?
     
    Goodysnap, Jan 1, 2022
    Goodysnap, Jan 1, 2022
    #3
  5. Jan 1, 2022 #4
    Ker

    Ker Bobtail Member

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    Freightliner Cascadia 2015.
    Yes, it has the "lower-upper suspension" switch in the cab.
     
    Ker, Jan 1, 2022
    Ker, Jan 1, 2022
    #4
  7. Jan 1, 2022 #5
    Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

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    The best way would be to add a second suspension level/dump valve and split the bags front/rear. 1 controls front and 1 controls rear. That way both could be dumped from the cab or just the rear if you need more traction.
     
    Goodysnap, Jan 1, 2022
    Goodysnap, Jan 1, 2022
    #5
    Hammer166 and Ker Thank this.
  8. Jan 1, 2022 #6
    Ker

    Ker Bobtail Member

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    Yes, that's a good and simple idea.

    Thanks.

    Do you, or anyone else thank that driving like this might damage the suspension or some components on the truck (airbag explosion etc)? I'm not going to use it for a long time though, just when backing up.
     
    Ker, Jan 1, 2022
    Ker, Jan 1, 2022
    #6
    Goodysnap Thanks this.
  9. Jan 1, 2022 #7
    dchawk81

    dchawk81 Light Load Member

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    They're meant to be at a certain height for the driveline to be in alignment. You'll tear it up if you mess with it.

    Just rotate your tires.
     
    dchawk81, Jan 1, 2022
    dchawk81, Jan 1, 2022
    #7
    Ker Thanks this.
  10. Jan 1, 2022 #8
    dchawk81

    dchawk81 Light Load Member

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    You could get away with it for short distances, the same way you can dump your air bags to pull out from under a trailer. I missed that part of your post.
     
    dchawk81, Jan 1, 2022
    dchawk81, Jan 1, 2022
    #8
    Ker Thanks this.
  11. Jan 1, 2022 #9
    Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

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    Just be smart about it and don’t overload it and you will be fine. Remember if you dump the tag bags you transfer all the weight to the front drive. Should be a non issue for slow speed, low traction situations.
     
    Goodysnap, Jan 1, 2022
    Goodysnap, Jan 1, 2022
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    Oxbow and Ker Thank this.
  12. Jan 1, 2022 #10
    truckguy391

    truckguy391 Light Load Member

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    Those are called tag axles. They're a major pain in the ### in snowy weather. When I was OTR which Schneider about 6 years ago I was assigned one with an automatic transmission. It would get stuck in the simplest places and was horrible in the snow. I heard they stopped ordering tag axles shortly after I left in 2017 because of all the issues with drivers getting stuck. If I owned my own truck, I'd NEVER buy one. I'm sure they have a purpose but definitely not something I'd want on a truck.
     
    truckguy391, Jan 1, 2022
    truckguy391, Jan 1, 2022
    #10
    D.Tibbitt, dchawk81 and Ker Thank this.
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