Dual Axle >>> Tri Axle???

[Dougster]

It may just be me being "old and cantankerous" but ST tires seem to be more cheaply made than LT or even P tires of the same size. I have never blown out or flat spotted a modern LT or P tire, but the ST's..... oh boy!

Hi JB - I wasn't aware that you were old and cantankerous!!! Is that really true??? If so, you'll have to try much harder to prove it!

I hear what you're saying JB, and I know there is a lot of controversy out there about this... but 90% of my local tire dealers won't even consider mounting an LT tire on a serious trailer (other than a trailer-designated specialty tire like the Goodyear G614 RST and, I believe, one of the Uniroyal brand LTs... I forget the model) and 100% refuse to mount a P tire on a serious trailer (assuming you were inclined to do so). I know about all the good posts out there about using light truck tires... and I considered that path very seriously because of the amazingly popular Michelin XPS Ribs (albeit only available in Load Range D and 85 profile... 32" diameter! )... but in the end, all those local tire dealers refusing to even talk LT tires for my two trailers was kind of disconcerting.

Yes, probably all about insurance and liability... but still, a bit disconcerting.

Dougster

 

[travis potter]

I had to move my 8500# tractor 225 miles the heaviest trailer i had had 2 3500# axles. I built the trailer and have them on a slider. simple buy another 3500# axle put it on a slider,slide the 2 axles forward,slip the 3rd on behind and go a 1 time only move.... only tore the tread off 1 tire turning but it was all I could do to turn I knew it would be bad on turns but not as BAD as it was never never will I do that again I caried 4 spair tires just in case and only used 1 at the 175mile mark. I made the trip at 50 mph It pulled OK streight just a bear to turn.

 

[Dougster]

I had to move my 8500# tractor 225 miles the heaviest trailer i had had 2 3500# axles. I built the trailer and have them on a slider. simple buy another 3500# axle put it on a slider,slide the 2 axles forward,slip the 3rd on behind and go a 1 time only move.... only tore the tread off 1 tire turning but it was all I could do to turn I knew it would be bad on turns but not as BAD as it was never never will I do that again I caried 4 spair tires just in case and only used 1 at the 175mile mark. I made the trip at 50 mph It pulled OK streight just a bear to turn.

Thanks Travis! Sounds like another vote for simply upgrading the tires.

Dougster

 

[firemanpat2910]

I will trade you my 3 axle for your 2 axle. No never mind, I wouldnt do that to a fellow tbn'er. Stick with 2 if you have to get 2 tandems but stick with 2 axles. By the way has anyone seen the tire off my 3rd axle, It rolled off the rim on Hwy 27 just south of the Ga line, last seen heading southwest

 

[Dougster]

I will trade you my 3 axle for your 2 axle. No never mind, I wouldnt do that to a fellow tbn'er. Stick with 2 if you have to get 2 tandems but stick with 2 axles. By the way has anyone seen the tire off my 3rd axle, It rolled off the rim on Hwy 27 just south of the Ga line, last seen heading southwest

Oh Boy... Yet another vote for two (not three) axles. My brilliant idea is getting squished here rather badly.

Dougster

 

[john_bud]

My brilliant idea is getting squished here rather badly.

Dougster

Yet another satisfied TBN customer!

jb

 

[Dougster]

Yet another satisfied TBN customer!
jb

Well, this is why we post here. Tons of relevant experience just for the asking.

Not every one of my "brilliant" ideas can be a good one.

Dougster

 

[Reg]

Just a couple of comments;
Yes, tire scrub is bad enough on a tandem, considerably worse on a tri.
You would be adding a load bearing, but non braking axle... I doubt that your braking effectiveness would become 2/3, but it would certainly be reduced resulting in more push on the truck at lock-up or near max.

WRT the equalizer question; there is a Dexter two part design that includes what looks like a bump stop between the two parts. Hard as all **** to describe without the hand motions that nobody can see here, but you can probably find it on their web site (-:
This is an interesting part just for tandems, I still don't like the idea of modifying a tandem to tri for the issues/use you described.

 

[firemanpat2910]

you might also check your crazy laws up there, I remember another discussion about 3 axles and toll roads, licence plates, and lane restrictions.

 

[Dougster]

you might also check your crazy laws up there, I remember another discussion about 3 axles and toll roads, licence plates, and lane restrictions.

Well, I'd certainly pay higher tolls... but that shouldn't be a big issue locally... and I never travel in anything but the slow/travel lane. License plates should not be an issue either... although you wouldn't believe what they are making me pay for vehicle excise tax! Mama Mia!!! I guess the State of Taxachusetts thinks my 10K equipment trailer is made out of GOLD!!!

The larger, mostly "nuisance" financial impact would come on those long road trips... typically to pickup new equipment, etc. from out of state. I still remember those crazy tolls I had to pay on my last trip down to Maryland!

Dougster