Heavy Trailer Axles: Should You Double-Up or Spread-Em?

Seasoned tractor-trailer drivers know intimately how weight distribution effects drivability, and axle spacing – namely spread axles versus double axles - plays a primary role in this. For those new to the arena of heavy trailer axles, however, confusion and assumptions abound. Which axle style is superior? The seasoned pros at Ainsworth Trailer Repair take a closer look…

Small Difference, Significant Effects
 
Though the axle spacing between the different axle configurations is obvious, the ramifications of this subtle shift are not: 

Tandem Axles
 Rear axles spaced close together, usually about 5-feet apart.

  

  
Spread Axles

Axles spaced farther apart, about 10-feet.

 


Trailer Axle Spacing Effects Weight Distribution
Though the gross legal limit of either setup is 80,000-pounds, allowable weight distribution above each axle configuration is quite different.
  
Tandem Axles
12K+34K+34K=80K gross weight.


 

Spread Axles
12K+34K+20K+20K=86K (though gross max caps at 80K).

 




Trailer Axle Style: Which is Best?
As with many things, each axle style has its pros and cons…

• Tandem Axles: Terrific in Tight Spaces

The axles on tandem axle trailers can be slid forward or backward to adjust the amount of weight resting atop the axle. However, this can be quite the juggling act with heavier loads, making it difficult to get cargo weight correctly balanced – and right at the limit of 80,000-pounds. What tandem axles lack in maneuverability of cargo, however, they make up for in maneuverability on the road. They are much easier to handle on city streets, in tight spaces, and in reverse, as well as easier on tires.

• Spread Axles: The Long-Haulers Friend

Offering 20,000=pounds above each axle, spread axles offer more flexibility in placing heavier cargo. Though capped at an 80,000-pound gross limit, the 86,000-pound legal limit offers a much more forgiving margin of error for heavy hauls and easier balancing on the scales. However, this flexibility comes at a price: Though spread axle trailers offer a smoother ride and better tracking in most situations due to their longer wheelbase, they are hard to maneuver on tight roads and crowded docks, presenting a greater degree of difficulty in turning and backing up. They are also tougher on tires, ‘scrubbing’ in turns (though this may be offset using the dump of the rear axle). Golden State hauler? California requires trailers longer than 48-feet have a kingpin in the center of the rear axle of 41-feet, meaning the rear axle would need to be scooted forward to be legal.

Trailer axle issues? No matter what trailer axle configuration you’re toting, you can count on the knowledgeable staff at Ainsworth Trailer Repair to do the necessary math to keep your rig running in tip-top shape. Guard against excess tire wear and ensure safety and fuel economy. Contact us and schedule a trailer axle inspection and alignment today.  

This content was previously published http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/heavy-trailer-axles-double-spread-em/

Trailer Roof Leak? Skip a Quick Fix for a Lasting One & Save

Your tractor trailer roof experiences a lot of wear and tear, from wind and weather to flying road debris and the effects of freeze/thaw cycles. As with other components on your trailer, these issues take a toll over time, wearing down seals and resulting in cracks, gaps and holes that put your trailer and cargo at-risk. It might seem easy to quickly tape, patch, or caulk a leaky trailer roof – the first time. After that, neither quick nor easy come into play as dirty tape or peeling patches and caulk complicate matters: Achieving a good seal becomes more difficult and time-consuming with each repair attempt, and over time repair costs add up. At some point, you’ll have to stop the insanity – or risk snowballing trailer damage.

What Can You Save by Skipping the Quick Fix for a Lasting Roof Repair?

Instead of turning to temporary solutions and constantly re-patching your trailer roof, making an appointment for a lasting, professional roof repair could save you quite a bit in…

• Trailer Value 

Except for when you’re in a pinch, letting a leaky roof go long-term ultimate decreases its value as water damage compounds over time.

• Equipment & Cargo

It doesn’t take long for equipment and cargo left beneath a leaky trailer roof to suffer extensive damage from moisture, mold, and mildew.

• Trailer Structural Damage

Eventually, compounding water damage leads to mold and structural rot – and the need for more extensive and costly repairs.

Leak from Roof? Nearly Any Trailer Roof Damage is Repairable

Ainsworth trailer repair professionals have the skills and equipment to address many levels of roof damage, from the minor to the severe:

• Punctures, holes, and cracks.

• Gouges and tears.

• Progressing damage from deterioration to seals, joints, and welds.

• Bent/broken carlins and roof bows.

• Rail damage.

• Extensive accident damage.

Ainsworth can even replace your worn roof panels with new, translucent panels, bringing in additional light and boosting visibility.

Looking for the Duct Tape Again?

No trailer roof lasts forever. Instead of slapping a ‘band-aid’ on your trailer roof leak, skip the quick fix for an OEM-quality trailer repair from the pros at Ainsworth. Lasting trailer roof repair requires removing damaged roof panels rivet-by-rivet, and restoring your trailer to factory standards with just the right material, stretched with specialty machinery and an expert eye to ensure a perfect fit, and secured in place with the proper OEM-quality fastenings and industrial joint adhesives to ensure your trailer roof won’t look (or sound) like a kite sailing down the highway with loose panels or repair materials flapping in the breeze.

Drip-dropping dilemma? Spend less (time and money) on a quality repair. Discover why our reputation for trustworthy estimates, lasting repairs, and unparalleled customer service precedes us. Contact Ainsworth Trailer Repair for a free quote today.




This was published previously at: http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/trailer-roof-leak-skip-quick-fix-lasting-one-save/