Sliding Flatbed Split Axle Weights

Hello,

I got a new trailer from my company. It’s a flatbed with a sliding rear axle. My previous flatbed was a fixed split axle.

I’m curious how the sliding axle weight rating works. I know 20,000 each axle when in ten foot spread but is there other ratings I should know for the different spreads it can go into? Like if I put it and it was around an 8ft spread etc…

any information helps. Thanks so much.

Hello Brock - that's a great question!

Most of the flatbed trailers I pull only allow two positions for that rear axle. Basically there is the "closed" position, which is like a regular set of tandem axles, and the "open" position which is 10' apart.

You are correct with the 20,000 pounds per axle or 40,000 pounds in the open or spread axle position. Of course the tandem or closed position would be 17,000 pounds per axle or 34,000 pounds max on the pair.

We do have a few trailers like what you described where there are various distances we could set that rear axle. I don't recommend spreading them at odd lengths like eight feet. They should be at 10' or like a pair of tandems. There is no sliding scale for various weights on those spread axles. You simply use one formula or the other. If your axles are not spread the proper distance it could be problematic when you encounter the rare D.O.T. officer having a bad day.

Hello,

I got a new trailer from my company. It’s a flatbed with a sliding rear axle. My previous flatbed was a fixed split axle.

I’m curious how the sliding axle weight rating works. I know 20,000 each axle when in ten foot spread but is there other ratings I should know for the different spreads it can go into? Like if I put it and it was around an 8ft spread etc…

any information helps. Thanks so much.

Hello Brock - that's a great question!

Most of the flatbed trailers I pull only allow two positions for that rear axle. Basically there is the "closed" position, which is like a regular set of tandem axles, and the "open" position which is 10' apart.

You are correct with the 20,000 pounds per axle or 40,000 pounds in the open or spread axle position. Of course the tandem or closed position would be 17,000 pounds per axle or 34,000 pounds max on the pair.

We do have a few trailers like what you described where there are various distances we could set that rear axle. I don't recommend spreading them at odd lengths like eight feet. They should be at 10' or like a pair of tandems. There is no sliding scale for various weights on those spread axles. You simply use one formula or the other. If your axles are not spread the proper distance it could be problematic when you encounter the rare D.O.T. officer having a bad day.

See, this is awesome!

I'd never have known... at all.

What's UP with that thread we all spoke of, re: TRAILERS?

Old School? G'Town?? PJ ?!? Even PackRat mentioned an interest in contributing; just not willing to be the 'starter.' Dang! G'Town's sliding/walking floors probably COULD be embedded to video; I may even learn how, with encouragement!

Those hoppers of all kinds, the Conestogas that one guy wanted to buy awhile back to use for hauling dry van goods, remember that, O/S? Thus, the reason for hauling onions on flatbed, re: the gasses. AndHe78's Tri Axle tanks with a tag axle...steerable! Wow, eh?? (Does a steerable tag axle then become a dolly? Don't know!) Pups and Pintle hooks... and on and on !

Never KNEW flats were anything BUT fixed, myself...but for the 'big boys' (aka; Heavy Haul.)

Sorry, B Brock! Acutally...thank you, for raising the concept/thread...again!

~ Anne ~

ps: I'm an O'negative blood type, universal donor/diesel, haha! I love learning 'all things trucking!'