Which way to slide your tandems?
A common task for truck drivers is to slide the tandem axle group along the trailer to adjust the weight on different axle groups. Knowing which way to move the axles can be confusing.
The tandem axle groups on most trailers can be moved forwards and backwards along the length of the trailer. Truck drivers want to be able to put the axles where the weight is best distributed, but there are regulations that vary by state and province on how far back the trailer tandems can be moved. This is called the trailer wheelbase or kingpin to rear axle/tandems distance and refers to the distance between the kingpin on the trailer and the axle group.
What does it matter?
Governments set rules on where to set the tandems to keep the wheelbase of the truck-trailer combination smaller. The longer the trailer wheelbase, the less maneuverable the truck-trailer combination, and the more curbs the truck will run over.
Truck drivers want to be able to set their wheelbases where ever they want. If there is a load that is not distributed evenly in the trailer, the truck axles can be overweight, even though the entire truck is not overweight. In this case, the tandems should be ‘pushed forward’ so more weight would be put on the trailer axles.
Let’s see how this works in practice:
Scenario 1:
Scenario 2:
Also, it is possible that there is too much weight on the trailer axles. In this case, the axles can be moved backwards to move weight from the trailer to the truck.
Caution! – There are rules governing how far back tandems can be placed. Click here to see what the laws are where you will be traveling.
How far should you move the axles?
A good rule of thumb is that one hole on the trailer equals 250 – 300 lbs being moved from the truck to trailer, or vice versa.
Kingpin to Tandems Cheat Sheet PDF
Everything that you need to know about Kingpin to Tandem Axle Measures in 4 pages:
- Printable copy of the Kingpin to Tandem Axles Maximums Table
- Printable copy of the Kingpin to Tandem Axle map
- Instructions on when and how to move your tandems
- Where Kingpin to Tandem Minimum measure restrictions are in place
- 4 Pages
To get legal weight on my tandems I go over the 41′ kingpin law for TN. How can I fix this? My company’s truck fifth wheel doses not slide and is all the way forward.
Unfortunately, the only way to fix this situation is to re-load your load to put more weight on the front of your trailer, or to remove part of your load. There is no other way around it. Hope that it worked out!
Slide toward or away from problem?
If your heavy on the trailer, slide backwards.
If your heavy on the drives, slide forwards.
Slide toward the problem
If drive’s are over how do u compensate
You have to move your tandems forward.
Thank you Guys. This was very helpful
I work in a warehouse. My supervisor tells all the drivers to put their tandems back before they back into the docks. That way their truck bed will be level with the dock.
Thanks that helped me also very good comments
Question: Are there any reasons for bogies to be returned to the 41 foot position after each load?
It is just so you don’t happen to travel through a state with a 41′ restriction and you don’t have your axles set there. Also, it is easier to turn the rig around!
What is the best product to put on the slider rails so the tamdems slide easily?
I am 34 160 on the second axle which way do I slide the tandems and how many hoes do I have to move it to
If you are heavy on your trailer axles, slide your tandems backwards. If you are only over 160 lbs, then 1 or 2 holes should do the trick.
Try dishwashing soap with water in a spray bottle. It will make them a bit easier to move, but then wash away as you go down the road so you don’t collect dirt. Don’t use anything oily that will collect dirt!
One of the best way to set a tandem is to slide over 7 or 8 holes. You good for any state.
All of these confusing comments.
First of all not all trailers are the same. Let me try to simplify this because when you guys say “slide your tandems this way” people get confused thinking drive the truck that way.
The easiest way to think about which way you need to slide the tandems is this:
The more the back of your trailer HANGS further from the tires, the MORE WEIGHT is added to the trailer axles.
Get it? If you slide your trailer wheels all the way to the back (like the guys at the dock tell you) then the back of the trailer is not hanging behind the wheels much. Right? The tires are basically all the way back, so theres not much hanging behind. If you slide your trailer tires as far towards the truck, you will see the trailer hanging way behind the wheels.
The more hanging in the back, the more weight is being put on the back.
I like thinking about the weight hanging off the back, a good way to visualize it! Thanks!
Good stuff, l needed this, makes the job a little easier, especially when picking up beer loads, thxs!
Are there any requirement to slide trailer tandems far back when driving over span bridges, or is moving trailer tandems only about weight distribution?
It is more about weight distribution and how sharp you can turn the trailer. The US Bridge law will restrict the amount of weight that you can carry as you move your axles closer together, and increase that weight as you move your axles apart. This law was made to protect bridges and roadways generally.
has anyone heard or used srastfast to slide tandems? Thinking about buying one and wondered it anyone has tried it
Fifth wheel adjustment? Normally 11900-12100 lbs so I am in 2nd notch from rear on slider. Which way should I slide 5th wheel to allow more room for fuel?
Generally, moving your 5th wheel forward will put more weight on your steering axle, and less on your drives. Moving it backwards will take weight off your steer axle and should give you more room for fuel!
How does sliding tandems affect the weight on your street tires?
It depends on where your 5th wheel is set. If it is set exactly between your tandem drives then it will have no affect on your steering axle, it will only affect your tandem drives. But, if your 5th wheel is set ahead of the center between your drives, then you are putting some weight from the trailer kingpin onto your steering axle. In this case, you will slightly reduce the weight on your steering axle when you move your tandems forward, and slightly add weight when you move your tandems back.