That extra 2000 lb we have to play with, can be used to add more diesel to the fuel tanks, that sit close to the drives.Īt 7 lb per gallon (diesel weight), 2000 lbs gives us room for roughly 285 more gallons of fuel more than most trucks can even carry. That leaves our drive axles at 32,000 lbs, with 2000 lbs left to spare. We now have the trailer axles at 34,000 lbs and the steering axle at 12,000 lbs.
Hop out and ensure the fifth wheel pins have fully retracted and the fifth wheel is locked in place.If so, hop in the truck and set the fifth wheel pins to lock and gently move the truck slightly back an forth to set the pins. Back up the desired distance to move the fifth wheel ahead 5 cogs, set the brakes and hop out to ensure the fifth wheel is where it needs to be, 5 cogs ahead of its former position. With trailer brakes still set, release the fifth wheel, visually check to ensure both pins, one on each side, popped out and then slowly back the tractor unit up so that it moves closer to the trailer.Lower the trailer landing gear until it begins to take the weight off the fifth wheel.To load that steering axle, we need to slide the fifth wheel ahead 5 cogs. Let’s say when you initially scaled that the steering axle weighted 11,500 lbs. Most fifth wheel slider rails move roughly 100 lbs. The next thing I do is to legalize the weight on the steering axle to as close to 12000 lbs as I can get it, without going over.The trailer axle is now where it needs to be. Set the pins so they will pop out when they hit the desired hole and gently move the box forward or back as needed until the pins pop out and lock in the desired hole.
Then, set the tractor brake and hop out to inspect where the recessed pins are in relation to the hole. Hop in the tractor, release the tractor brakes and slowly pull the box ahead the same distance.Mark the hole on the slider rail that you need to hit and look at the distance you need to pull the box ahead. To reduce the weight on those axles, pull the trailer box ahead, moving the trailer axles further toward the rear of the box. We round up from 1.5 to 2 holes, and therefore, slide the axle over 2 holes. Since I need to move 600 lbs, that would mean 1.5 holes. Release the locking pins on the slider for the trailer axles.Set the trailer brakes and dump the air suspension.I start with making my trailer axles legal weight, and as close to the 34,000 lb maximum, as possible without exceeding or going over that weight. After scaling, let’s say that while the gross weight is ok at 78,000 lbs, the trailer axles are scaling at 34,600 lbs, which is 600 lbs. Scale the truck on a CAT scale to find out where the weight is presently distributed and on which axle group.The maximum gross weight of this truck in most states is 80,000 lbs. In the U.S., this 5 axle truck cannot exceed 34,000 lbs on a tandem axle group or 12,000 lb on the steering axle. This example is for a tight tandem trailer axle, rather than a spread axle trailer. We’ll look at a 5 axle truck grossing 78,000 lbs.
This method has worked well for me over the past 40 years of my driving career. I’ll cover the way I do it as well as why I do it this particular way. Step by step instruction to set up axle weights on a semi truck.