Why I Love a Spread Axle Trailer

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  • Опубликовано: 16 июн 2022
  • Why I Love a Spread Axle Trailer. Spread Axle Trailers offer versatility and save a lot of guess work for the truck driver. In this video, Dave shares his experiences with spread axle trailers and why he's particularly a fan of this trailer axle setup.
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Комментарии • 94

  • @SmartTrucking
    @SmartTrucking  Год назад +14

    Hello there Big Strappers. so glad you took the time to drop by and watch today's video. What have been your experiences with a spread axle trailer? Love to hear your views.

    • @kizerbread
      @kizerbread Год назад

      I hear guys talk about a "Canadian spread" and I believe they are talking about a rigs drive axles. I don't know the why or what about it though.

    • @RCRCustoms
      @RCRCustoms Год назад

      @@kizerbread that’s the 72” spread on the drives. I don’t remember if it’s 39000LBS or 37500LBS on that spread anymore though.

    • @fredorico41
      @fredorico41 Год назад

      Australia we just run tri- axle trailers mostly.

    • @kgbreviews35
      @kgbreviews35 Год назад

      For a begging driver, what companies would you recommend to start with?

    • @mrphiscal
      @mrphiscal Год назад

      Did the lettuce king use a spead axles?????

  • @crazyeyez1502
    @crazyeyez1502 Год назад +68

    Had an Old Timer at TMC show us how to walk the spread axel flatbed sideways. With the truck 90° to the trailer, move the truck forward and backwards a few feet each time while flipping the dump switch on and off. You're changing which axle has the bulk of the weight, therefore the pivot point.

    • @bill7778
      @bill7778 Год назад +4

      That was always a lot of fun.

  • @Flatbednobed
    @Flatbednobed Год назад +5

    Backing a loaded flatbed spread axle In DC,NY,NJ,MD,PA,MA, and Northern VA will give you a bald spot in the back of your head lol. Especially when you look out your mirror and notice that your trailer tire is about to bust clean off the rim because you have to Alley Dock back into a Steel distributor warehouse that was built in 1925 😂😅😅

  • @sharrelson3344
    @sharrelson3344 Год назад +22

    I love hearing the stories , just makes me imagine how things were.

  • @aftersolo
    @aftersolo Год назад +29

    I got leaf springs on my flatbed with spread axles and let me tell you, when that sucker's loaded down, I don't even attempt backing into tight spots. That thing binds like crazy and feels like a u-joint could snap at any moment when you're jack-knifed backing in a tight spot. I did a couple power-only loads a few years back with flatbeds with air bags and tandem axles and that bad boy turned as smooth as butter. The two things I hate about spread axles is that binding and that they will absolutely chew through a set of tires if you're doing a lot of local work. Seeing all that rubber on the pavement after a tight turn hurts to look at.

  • @blindguybmx7257
    @blindguybmx7257 Год назад +29

    Not a trucker but love your videos man I lost my eyesight when I was a little kid to retina blastoma but when I could see I always used to wave at the semi trucks going by I used to love looking at the Peterbilt and Kenworth now I collect models MIs to be able to know what they look like

  • @lukeswain1752
    @lukeswain1752 Год назад +11

    Man I just got my cdl. I'm a rookie flat bed truck driver. You make the old days sound like FUN! Wish I was born 100 years ago and was able to live thru those times. Now everything is automated and restricted 😮‍💨

  • @notchfox6086
    @notchfox6086 Год назад +3

    The good old days!!

  • @glenngolding6375
    @glenngolding6375 Год назад +3

    Don't see them anymore in Australia. Tri axle with boogie drive. Here in Northern Territory Australia we have lot tri prime mover . Cheers mate

  • @martinshelley2332
    @martinshelley2332 Год назад +3

    One big disadvantage [if not used to it] backing it into a spot at truck stop at night

  • @clinthochrein888
    @clinthochrein888 Год назад +5

    Loved those spread axel trailers especially when they were all light up at night. My uncle had one. It was 48 ft. Back in the 2000’s beautiful rig Red PETERBILT with black fenders, sleeper an the matching trailer. An if he was in the neighborhood after picking up a load he swing by for a quick visit an fill up his coffee mug.

  • @Cherokeelion
    @Cherokeelion Год назад +5

    I run a 49ft spread tanker sometimes. You really have to be careful to not scrub/peel your tires.

  • @Retired88M
    @Retired88M Год назад +8

    Here’s one for you Dave
    My friend was hauling anthracite coal from Northeastern Pa to an Army base in upstate NY back in the early 80’s with an old single drive axle with a lift axle behind U-model Mack pulling a 26 ft Fruehauf bathtub coal bucket and he was hauling real real heavy and did the same trick on the NY scale . He’d dump all the air in the lift axle but not lift it to lighten up the steer axle then max the air in the lift to shift all the weight to the steer and trailer axles then dump it again to lighten up the trailer axles. He was always 10 to 20’000 over gross and never got a ticket

  • @bryansalter7883
    @bryansalter7883 Год назад +3

    I LOVE hearing about the way things USE to be!!!!!👍🏼👍🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼👏🏼👏🏼cause they SURE aren’t that way now!!!🥺. I say a prayer daily for my kids future!🙏🏼🙏🏼 love your input sir!!!👍🏼👍🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

  • @2ndgenshedmover
    @2ndgenshedmover Год назад +5

    Dave always has the best stories back from the good old days of trucking!

  • @bobeech9728
    @bobeech9728 Год назад +13

    I was looking into spread axle trailers on the internet a couple days ago cause I was curious why they were that way. Glad to see this video to hear more on it 👍🏼

  • @redmesa2975
    @redmesa2975 Год назад +15

    The sliding spread axles are really awesome. The entire spread can slide to where the front axle is just aft of center.
    I pulled one a couple of times. You can move a lot of weight on or off the drives, while still being allowed up to 40K on the spread

  • @CrackCrackCracker
    @CrackCrackCracker Год назад +4

    I have never pulled a spread myself but I have always wanted to buy one but never willing to put myself yet under a new trailer note. I watched a guy with a super nice spread axle van come into a place where I used to haul from a lot come in with his though. The unfortunate thing about the place was the concrete parking lot for the loading docks were all unlevel and some would actually shift with the weight of the truck & trailers. I was sitting in dock 1 waiting to get the green light to go when the guy came in brimming from ear to ear with his fancy new trailer. When he started backing up one of the slabs shifted causing his front axle tires to catch the edge and start pushing the tire inward. Before I could grab my cb mic and tell him to stop the tire broke off the rim. He was embarrassed as all can be in front of all of us out there. When asked why he didn't raise the axle he said he had not hooked up the controls inside the truck for the trailer because he was "ready to roll".

  • @SoCal780
    @SoCal780 Год назад +6

    Hi Dave! I’ve had absolutely ZERO experience with spread axle trailers but this video really helped me to understand their real advantages to having them. Very informative, thanks sir. Great Dane trailers are my absolute favorites as well. They’re tough, sturdy, and they always ride nice and smooth. You can never go wrong with a Great Dane!

  • @elmercoffmans4223
    @elmercoffmans4223 Год назад +2

    I pulled a spread axle dump wagon in the late 80 s we used the same trick to get on and off the PA turnpike in way lower class saved lot of money 👍🇺🇸✌️

  • @throttleblipsntwistedgrips1992
    @throttleblipsntwistedgrips1992 Год назад +4

    I've had a thing for big rigs since I was a kid, our neighbor had a giant purple Kenworth T900 with the split grill and a spread axle flatbed with the shiniest diamond plate toolboxes in between them. Thanks for the info, always wondered why they made trailers like that.

  • @GeneralZkar
    @GeneralZkar Год назад +4

    We only got 3axel trailers in sweden, i think they are the best kind, are even those with stegring axels

  • @workingguy6666
    @workingguy6666 Год назад +2

    Great story. NEat insight into what was going on back then.

  • @arthanza112
    @arthanza112 Год назад +3

    I love my spread axle flatbed 10'2" the way to go.

  • @andreychuprin7365
    @andreychuprin7365 Год назад +2

    Six bag blast systems are the ticket for spreads. Those spread reefers look pretty good behind long nose trucks, we got lots of em in here lancaster pa and few top notch fabricators that build some wicked truck and trailer combinations

  • @danielhoulihan1743
    @danielhoulihan1743 Год назад +3

    Great Content as usual, Need more guys like this in the industry

  • @RH-zg9tx
    @RH-zg9tx Год назад +1

    Used to get away with dumping my air up until 2013 when I got out. Hardest part was remembering which one to do first. Worked every
    time.

  • @jerrykinnin7941
    @jerrykinnin7941 Год назад +1

    I was working for a guy out of Fargo. Went to Utility in Marion VA. picked up a new 53' reefer had a double slide Canadian split. Closed it was 6 ft open
    It was 10' and change. I ran out of Cincinnati. I LOVED IT. but it disappeared to Fargo. I pull a 9 ft airride spread ISO tank chassis from time to time.
    Awesome ride. I run Alot of 9 ft or 10 ft tri-axles their heavy around 11000 lbs
    But any container you want it'll haul.

  • @davidhicks2178
    @davidhicks2178 Год назад +1

    I did some live haul with turkeys with a spread axle a few times, they pull fairly smooth

  • @markm0000
    @markm0000 Год назад +4

    I have a Great Dane tandem and it’s built right, but mine was badly neglected. I thought I could eventually make it into a spread but thanks for letting me know. I’ll get the right trailer someday.

  • @johnniewelbornjr.8940
    @johnniewelbornjr.8940 Год назад +2

    I never pulled a spread until I began hauling steel in the late 90s... That was when I learned about flatbedding. Now that I run a heavy-haul truck or hauling wind blades, it's an entirely different ballgame. I never pulled a reefer (blech lol) or dry van with any spread but have often thought it would make things a lot easier to axle out. With all the permit loads I run these days, everything's legal but just a time-consuming inconvenience to go show off all your measurements on the permit in the scale houses (unless it's one of the old school scalemasters with a sense of humor lol).

  • @johnnycray4427
    @johnnycray4427 Год назад

    Truckers had it good back in the day. Well.... nothing lasts forever. I'm just a steering wheel holder, but I love to drive

  • @donaldbrowning4602
    @donaldbrowning4602 Год назад +1

    great dane best trailers around,and dot did hate those speared axle trailers with a passion

  • @josephbeach6046
    @josephbeach6046 Год назад +2

    I pull a 48' flatbed split axle trailer for my company. I have to say I don't miss have to slide tandems back and forth. A couple things I have trouble with is the turn radius. like you said they are hard to turn around in tight areas and they don't pivot and kick over as well as other trailers.

  • @brentonmcclean3647
    @brentonmcclean3647 Год назад +3

    I'm new to your channel sir. I just wanted to say that I really enjoy your content and it's very informative to those that are new to the industry. Plus a lot of your uploads can be a good reminder resource for us gear jammers that have had trucker butt for awhile now lol. But hey, the subjects that you bring up are phenomenal !!!

  • @aaronfox5808
    @aaronfox5808 Год назад

    you just spilled the beans Sir. Now everyone is going to do it.

  • @tyson4739
    @tyson4739 Год назад +1

    I too love the spread axles. I run them with a flat bed. Definitely a better ride and running steel it is wonderful

  • @BradWeber82
    @BradWeber82 Год назад +2

    Another great video Dave! Keep them coming

  • @pencilhead0153
    @pencilhead0153 Год назад +1

    I bought an old utility reefer spread 53, and converted it to a drive van. I always beat the other drivers in the company because I never have to scale out and I’m never overweight. Get home an hour earlier since I don’t have to slide axels and it rides smoother than a tandem. Only downside is I can’t legally drive it through California with the long spread

  • @kellypatterson8506
    @kellypatterson8506 Год назад +4

    I like that truck stop 50,000 silver dollar

  • @joecummings1260
    @joecummings1260 Год назад +1

    My buddies father built custom trailers back in the 80s. A few of the steel horse who pulled out of the Fairless works had him build custom flatbeds and all the dump valve went into Mufflers under the trailer. Those guy's loaded really seriously heavy. Well over 100,000 pounds minimum, but they could make them dance over the scales when they got on the Pennsylvania Turnpike headed west. I forget where they were going but it was all coils going to Ohio or somewhere

  • @josiahbomford7612
    @josiahbomford7612 Год назад +2

    Thanks, I learned a lot in this video 👍

  • @JasonVladimir
    @JasonVladimir Год назад

    Some great advice as always!

  • @michaelbaca5593
    @michaelbaca5593 Год назад +2

    They sure do love them rode so much better and I like the look

  • @richardcolemanjr3749
    @richardcolemanjr3749 Год назад +3

    In reality there needs to be more axles on trailers. I look at European, Australian, New Zealand and Asian trucks. The steerable axles are cool too. B-Trains and twin 35's with restrictions would be nice if they became useful in all 50. But the 4 wheeler driver would need to go back to school.

  • @scottberry5266
    @scottberry5266 Год назад +2

    Long wheelbase, 10’2” spread with air dumps on both axles. Load it and go. !!!

  • @reevinriggin3570
    @reevinriggin3570 Год назад +2

    Was it the apple king? Let's hear some more stories about the lettuce king. He's a funny guy. I don't see how a "dump valve switch" would work on a rolling scale anyways. They are way too slow to react and transfer any weight, especially on a 3 mph rolling scale. Good luck with that!

  • @spencerbeales8965
    @spencerbeales8965 Год назад

    Plus they look ultra cool...

  • @frankleonard6570
    @frankleonard6570 Год назад +1

    i love a spread axle stainless reefer pulled by a nice 280 inch wb long nose truck!
    best of trucking right there.
    but not in tight docks lol

  • @SalihARCrypto.i.o
    @SalihARCrypto.i.o Год назад

    Great story. Thanks.

  • @JVPTH3MVP
    @JVPTH3MVP Год назад +3

    It's kinda surprising to me that spread axles with a steerable rear axle haven't become common place

  • @AngelicStorm
    @AngelicStorm Год назад

    I've seen that truck and trailer... beautiful

  • @alteredstateskustom
    @alteredstateskustom Год назад +1

    Here in Canada it’s illegal to have the axle controls in the cab.
    You can only raise and lower the axles from outside

  • @burkevinell
    @burkevinell Год назад +2

    I have a log trailer that has a 10' 4" spread and I just finished building a 40' container chassis with a 9' 1" spread. Easy loading and good ride. The chassis is great because you can't open a sealed container and adjust the weight. With the 9' 1" spread my axles always come out ok. With the log trailer I can run 86,000 lbs gross and keep my axles legal (12/34/20/20). I don't know why anyone would run anything else.

  • @seannews90
    @seannews90 Год назад +1

    Cool stories brother 😎 🇺🇸

  • @monstersdad67
    @monstersdad67 Год назад

    Agreed, flatbed spread here Always walking the Dog

  • @tde1873
    @tde1873 Год назад

    Appreciate this. I am worried I will tear the tires to shit on a spread axle when I am backing, but was told loads for flatbedding would require much confined backing.

  • @thanniss
    @thanniss Год назад

    Never had an issue with loading a 53 reefer going to Cali and the truck needing to change his axels. If you know how to load you know. If your crap at your job your a robot. 1 ton pallets always double the front single the next pallet and double all the way to 53 close the doors your done. Had a 57 foot beet truck to load once. That was interesting.

  • @theoregontruckerT880
    @theoregontruckerT880 Год назад

    In California the weight on a spread axle depends on the distance. Anything less than 5 feet is a tandem 34,000 pounds. A 6 foot spread is 36,000 pounds an 8 foot spread is 38,000, 9’6” or more is 2 separate axles 20,000 each. Also in California if your rear axle is closer than 40’ to the king pin it drops your drive and trailer weight limit to 28,000 and your gross limit down to 72,000

  • @arthanza112
    @arthanza112 Год назад

    My current flatbed is a Great Dane. The "Big Dog" of Chicago.

  • @aviatortrucker6198
    @aviatortrucker6198 Год назад +2

    I’m surprised they didn’t start out with a lift axle in the rear that automatically came down when it sensed weight. Then you could have a very sharp turning truck with a very long tail swing. Some of the tanker trailers have a lift front axle and they have just a standard two axle set up. It saves fuel and makes turning easier. You can also go the reverse the set up and raise the front axle and just pivot off the rear one.

  • @dk3062
    @dk3062 Год назад +3

    Get a tridem. That's all we run

  • @elcamionero1095
    @elcamionero1095 Год назад

    As always the boss is right ‼️

  • @mikehiggins5233
    @mikehiggins5233 Год назад +1

    Nice 👌

  • @krisbryant7100
    @krisbryant7100 Год назад +1

    Can you guys do a proper video about loading and more in depth about tricks with dump valves, lift Axel's, loading etc. with a spread Reefer. Also using a 48' vs 53' spread nowadays??? Thanks!!!

  • @davidallen3873
    @davidallen3873 Год назад

    I used to do that trick in the Ohio toll road

  • @wolftrainservicesltd6418
    @wolftrainservicesltd6418 Год назад +1

    My axles slide independently. So that wide spread is possible on my step deck. Too bad they are illegal in western canada

  • @oldschooltruckdriver6740
    @oldschooltruckdriver6740 Год назад +1

    I loved mine when I had it I wouldn't have anything else

  • @labourlawact7826
    @labourlawact7826 Год назад +1

    Doesn't it cause a lot of tire wear when taking sharp turns? Also making sharp turns harder? We have the tri axle trailers here, and on a hot day the tires will break apart asphalt when making sharp turns.
    They also load heavy loads on them here in South Africa, something like 30 metric tons on a single flatbed trailer with a tri axle setup.

  • @BigMoney23223
    @BigMoney23223 Год назад

    Lettuce king strikes again

  • @drivindave
    @drivindave Год назад

    Just make sure you purchase a $30 Spread Axle Permit for Florida. An easy $100 fine into their pocket if you don't!

  • @Offgridtrucker
    @Offgridtrucker Год назад

    I pull Stepdeck and that’s all I’ve ever pulled was spread axle.

  • @just-incase3483
    @just-incase3483 Год назад

    Main thing is you can put 40k on the spread saving you on drive tires.

  • @chickenbuttdeluxe
    @chickenbuttdeluxe Год назад

    Nice ride but I'm not a fan of the flat top bedroom or a spread without a lift on on or both axles. Stand up bedrooms are easier to get dressed and undressed in , and the lift axle makes it easier to back and turn tight without peeling tires off of the rims.. just a thought 🤔

  • @danielaguirre2516
    @danielaguirre2516 Год назад +2

    The real reason he likes spread axle trailers, is because he can crawl under and get a better look of all the air lines and chambers of the trailer.

  • @russvoight1167
    @russvoight1167 Год назад

    Is it true British Columbia does not allow spread axle trailers? Please clarify

  • @princediamond5763
    @princediamond5763 Год назад +1

    💯✌

  • @DavidVanHelden1
    @DavidVanHelden1 Год назад +2

    The problem is ...you can tell the shipper all you want about loading your trailer ....and if you are lucky he can speak English ....and after that ...they still don't give a crap how they load your trailer....

  • @quickET1968
    @quickET1968 Год назад

    They are a lot of trouble but they ride nice for sure

  • @123fudgey
    @123fudgey Год назад

    What in the merica

  • @unknownopinionoid2672
    @unknownopinionoid2672 Год назад

    If They only caught up to ppl like u telling the dot❗️

  • @cobraspottedwolf8791
    @cobraspottedwolf8791 Год назад

    Did he mention that you can haul ass on icy roads with a spread axle?

  • @maxpuppy96
    @maxpuppy96 Год назад

    40,000 on the spread love them to death, flat bedders dream. Platform scales killed the dump axles.

  • @cobraspottedwolf8791
    @cobraspottedwolf8791 Год назад

    I know exactly what scale he's talking about. Haugen Montana