Does anyone know the exact law regarding switches for lift axles? I was told by a Georgia dot officer that since the switch was in the cab, the axle doesnt count. the federal motor carrier web site says that if the lift axle is one of the tandems, the switch must be outside, my axle is a 3rd axle so does not fall into this category. I have emailed fmcsa and ask the law, but neither one will bother to answer me.

 

Don't know what Georgia DOT was talking about-Of course it counts
I'm assuming you meant tag axle on the Trailer?

 

yes, trailer has 3 axles... a fixed tandem axle and a lift axle, according to the dot man, lift axle doesnt count because switch is in the cab. he said the truck only counted as a tandem, I think the owner just paid the ticket, If it was my truck, we would be in court.

 

The DOT man is correct. The State of Georgia does NOT recognize the tag axle is the controls are on the inside. When you picked up our new new T-800 a couple of months ago in TN, we asked about the switch and that's what they told us. It was confirmed a few miles down the road at the first set of scales in GA.



BTW, here's the pic of the new wrecker with the decals on it!

 

yes the switch must be on the outside we had one truck that the switch was on the inside and it had to be rerouted to the outside

 

MD is the same way i don't know if the switch to take it up and down has to be on the outside but i know the switch to adjust the air pressure for the axle has to be on the out side.

 

In Maryland the regulator for the down force on the lifting axle has to be on the outside but the switch can be on the inside.

 

How are you suposed to turn corners with your lift axle down? if the switch is outside?
I always lift axle before turning.

 

if the lift axle is on the truck the tires turn with the truck. if it is on the trailer it stays in the same position as the rest of the trailer tires do.

 

So you are saying that most trucks have a steering lift axle on the tractor?
Not lifting the axles to turn is really hard on the tires.
If's its a non steering axle.

Some lift axles around here are steerable too, but not all them yet.