Tandem Axle Vs Triple Tongue Wt?

[Husker Fan]

It appears that 20% is the generally accepted

[Maverick]

You ask an easy question. It all depends how you load the trailer as to how much pin weight you have. If you drive a 7K skid steer on and drive it all the way to the gooseneck, you'll have lots of pin weight. If you park it just ahead of the last axle on the trailer. Less pin weight. I watch the back of the truck when loading. i can get a feel of how much weight is there. Comes with years of experience. Nothing is more accurate than a scale though if you really worry about it.

Same rule applies with a triple axle.

Adding an axle is a good way to add capacity. Most gooseneck flatbed trailers under 24 ft are made out of 14 lb 12" I beam. Most GN flatbeds 25 ft and over are made out of 19 lb 12" I beam. Doesn't sound like a big deal since you only have (2) 5K under yours. Adding a third would be 15K GVW (comparing it to a 14K trailer with 14# I beam). If you had (2)7's and wanted to add a third 7, that would be a different story. Making a 14K trailer (14# I beam) into a 21K (requiring 19# I beam) wouldn't be a good idea unless it was 19# "I" beam already.

[ 07-16-2003, 09:40 AM: Message edited by: Maverick ]

[DalDMax]

Husker Fan,
Depends on how they add the third axle.
If your center axle is fully floating you can usually run with less percentage of the weight on the tongue.

Don't know if you've ever pulled a triple axle before so a couple of things to keep in mind...When turning a triple axle trailer with a load on it, there is an enormous amount of sideways stress on the tires, wheels, axles and the mounting hardware. The tandam axle mountings might not be strong enough. I think we've ripped two or three tires off of the wheels sideways.

The type of load plays a large part as to where the weight has to be placed on the trailer....load several pallets of shingles or concrete over the axles and you'll be ok. But put something lighter with a large amount of wind resistance and you'll notice some sway.

And last but no least brakes on the middle axle.
If you add a third axle and have the middle axle fully floating between the front and rear axles, make double or triple sure that there is no way that the middle tire can't get anywhere near either of the other tires. Trust me on this one :eek:

[gardnerteam]

In 1970, we took a tandem 24' trailer and added a 3rd axle to haul two racing Jeeps and equipment to Baja from Oregon. We adjusted the axle positions a couple of times, but never got it perfect for balance, etc. Since then we have just bought new triple axle trailers and have had a much better balanced and stable situation. I know of a couple of guys who added a 3rd axle, but they repositioned the other two axles as well and got their specs for positioning from Pace as to where the axles should go for the length of trailer. As to tongue load, I know this is a dumb answer, but I watch the rear end of the truck and my "feel" for the load, which comes with 45 years of towing experience. I also tongue load heavier than most, as it tows straighter at higher speeds, which I seem to find. I also custom build my own bumpers and receiver hitch to take the added stress of more hitch weight. In well over 1,000,000 miles of towing trailers up to 45', never had a problem nor incident.