Quote:
Originally Posted by Xcis2
Take the weight on the trailer tandems and subtract the weight on the drive tandems. Divide that by 500. The answer tells you how many holes to increase the trailer wheelbase. If the answer is a negative number [the drive tandems are heavier than the trailer tandems] slide the trailer tandems to shorten the trailer wheelbase.
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Since the difference between the trailer and drive tandems is
not what the DOT regulates, what you need to do instead is look at how your three axle weights (assuming a standard 53' trailer rig) match up against the legal axle limits of 12K, 34K, 34K. If either of the two 34K ones are exceeded by more than about 200 pounds or so, then you
must reduce the load on that axle before attempting to cross any DOT scale. Sliding trailer tandems back is the usual way to reduce the weight on the trailer tandems. The amount you get per hole slid tends to be no more than 400 pounds and it depends on the distance between adjacent holes. The number 500 given above is incorrect unless your gross is about 100K, which most drivers don't haul - if you're hauling that much weight, then your first task is to get a permit!