How far apart are tandem trailer axles?

Rear axles of tandem axle trailers are spaced close to each other – usually 5 feet. Spread axle trailers, on the contrary, are spaced a lot farther apart, at 10 feet. Even though the difference is simple, it has significant effects. Spread axle trailers have their own pros and cons.

How far apart should tandem axles be?

Under the federal B formula, the axles must be 10 feet apart (though in practice they are placed 10 feet, 1 inch apart just to be safe for the times when a zealous enforcement officer measures that distance with a tape).

How far apart should trailer axles be?

Expert Reply: When installing tandem axles on a trailer you want to have at least 4 inches between the tires. So if you went with the part # A225R6SMQ which has an overall diameter of 28.31 inches you would need to have the axles set at least 32.81 inches apart.

Where do you put axles on a tandem trailer?

Simply mount the axles where the center of the assembly matches the 40 percent mark on the trailer frame. On a three-axle placement, for example, this would mean the center of the middle axle was at a point 40 percent in from the rear of the trailer.

How far back can my tandems be?

When the distance between the first axle of your tandems is 35 feet from the rear axle on your tandems to the last axle of your trailer tandems, you will have to reduce the amount of weight that you load onto your truck.

HOW TO ACCURATELY PLACE AND SQUARE TRAILER AXLES ] Step by Step instructions

What is the tandem rule?

Weight. The gross weight on any tandem axle should not exceed 34,000 pounds as long as the total gross weight of the entire vehicle is not more than 80,000 pounds. In the event the tandem trailer uses idle reduction technology or auxiliary power to reduce emissions and save fuel, an additional 400 pounds is allowed.

How do I know what axle position to use?

How to Determine Axle Position When Building Single Axle Utility Trailer The general rule when building a trailer is there should be a 60/40 percent split in weight when centering the axle. Sixty percent of the trailer weight should be placed forward of the axle for proper tongue weight.

How do you count tandem holes?

Since you are driving for Prime, as memory serves me correctly, it is from the front of the slide rail where the holes are. Even if they are plugged, you count the hole as a legal hole to use to get the count correct.

How much weight is each tandem hole?

You can estimate that you will move 250 pounds per hole for 4 inch spacing, and 400 pounds per hole for 6 inch spacing. This will help you estimate how many holes you'll have to slide the trailer tandems to move the proper amount of weight necessary in order to get the axle weights legal.

What is the California bridge law?

The state of California requires all tractor-trailer combinations to meet the King Pin to Rear Axle (KPRA) law. What does that mean to professional drivers? The center of the rear axle on all trailers must be at the 40-foot mark or shorter and must not weigh over 34,000 pounds on the trailer axles.

How close can trailer tires be to each other?

As a general rule of thumb the minimum safe distance between front and rear tires on the same side of a tandem axle trailer is 4 inches. You would need to measure the distance between your tires currently and subtract 2-1/2 inches.

What is the maximum length your tandems Cannot exceed?

In addition to Bridge Formula weight limits, Federal law states that single axles are limited to 20,000 pounds, and axles spaced more than 40 inches and not more than 96 inches apart (tandem axles) are limited to 34,000 pounds. Gross vehicle weight is limited to 80,000 pounds (23 U.S.C. 127).

How do you check alignment on a tandem axle trailer?

You can check axle alignment by measuring from the center of the coupler back diagonally to the center of one of the wheels. Then take the same measurement to the other wheel center. They should be identical or within 1/8 of an inch, give or take 1/16 of an inch.

How much toe should my trailer have?

He said there are all kinds of specifications differences out there, so the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) has produced a manual of recommended practices on alignment, with a target value of 1/16" toe-in. “Most tire wear is caused by incorrect toe settings,” Martin said.

How much bend should a trailer axle have?

view full answer... Should Trailer Axle Have Slight Upward Bend You did not specify which way your axle was bent, but a trailer axle such as the Dexter Trailer Axle Beam #T3584F-EZ-8974 should have a slight upward bend, as you should be able to see in the accompanying photo of this axle installed.

What is the axle spacing?

Axle Spacing means the measurement between the centers of the axles as measured from center-to-center of wheel hubs.

How is trailer axle spread measured?

You will measure from the center of one axle to the center of the 2nd axle to determine what you axle spread is. This may be difficult as some wheels and covers will make this harder to determine. You can also measure from common points in reference to the axle.

How do you measure the wheelbase on a tandem axle trailer?

Manufacturers advertise wheelbase according to the distance from the center hub of the steer axle, to the center-point between the two rear wheels on a three-axle truck. So, stick a ruler vertically in the ground right in between the two rear tires, and measure from there to the steer axle.

How do tandem axles work?

Tandem Axle Trailers: Like the name implies, a tandem axle trailer has two sets of axles – one right behind the other. The extra tires allow the trailer to carry more weight and to be more stable at high speeds and highway conditions. Bigger payload capacity means more room for whatever you are hauling.

How do you distribute weight on a 53 foot trailer?

You can load anywhere from 26 to 30 standard 40×48-inch pallets on a 53-foot trailer — 26 if you load them straight in (48-inch measurements from front to back), or 30 of you turn half the pallets sideways.

When should I slide your tandems?

By sliding the trailer tandems forward, you will put more weight on the trailer tandems and take weight off the tractor's drive axles. Conversely, by sliding the trailer tandems toward the rear of the trailer, you will take weight off the trailer tandems and put more weight onto the tractor's drive axles.