Axle weight

[layoutshooter]

I got my truck weighed today.
Total Weight: 29540
Front axle with lift axle up: 14080
Front axle with lift axle down: 12860
rear axle with lift axle up: 15460
reat axle with lift axle down: 16680

We have a problem. Now we have to decide what is the best way to lower that front axle weight. I will call Alumi-Bunk(junk) on Monday. Gee this is fun. Layoutshooter

 

[moose]

oo'ps U got a problem...
can you please sher the spec's of you truck .
maybe upload a pict.
very interested to know the location of the axles...
Moose.

 

[moose]

also you can send a message to alunibunkdon
he is on EO this morning
so you not need to whit till Mon.
Moose.

 

[Broompilot]

Too much Gear inside putting your weight on those Axles. Plain and simple, move those tanks back and get some side tool boxes on the rear and put that Gear back there.

Bare essentials up front its just not gona work anyother way.

Second idea, sell the truck and buy one that will work. This is the problem with those 96 sleepers or bigger on a Class 7. I had no problem with a 84 but I was a Solo. I did have an APU and duel 150s for 300 on a KW Bentz.

I would love to hear about how fix this when its all said and done.

 

[layoutshooter]

I did take the chains out. I will fix this if it kills me. There is no way I can sell it right now. I will take some pics and up load them. Might have to make this a 3 axle truck. That would fix if for sure. Maybe if I lose some weight? Layoutshooter

 

[layoutshooter]

That was with a full fuel load, twin 80's. All our water bottles full, 6 gallons. Food, clothes, etc. Both of us in the truck. I can move some of the stuff to the cargo box but not enough to pick up 2000lbs. The only way I can figure to do that is move the axles, or tanks, or batteries and APU, or lose the lift axle and add a second axle. Or maybe a very selective tornado will eat the truck. Layoutshooter

 

[LDB]

Sounds to me like the main axle is about 12-15 inches too far to the rear. I have that problem with one of my trucks but not as severe as yours. I don't think you'll get it solved unless they move the axle up. Good luck.

 

[TeamCaffee]

Bob's first thought also was you are going to need to move the fuel tanks. Wow what a problem. Good luck and keep us updated.

 

[layoutshooter]

I doubt if we can move the axle 12 inches. I am going to look into moving fuel tanks and batteries. Maybe the APU. I can run with the lift axle down to stay legal and still work till I figure this thing out. How hard is it to make this into a 3 axle truck? Not a twin screw but a weight bearing axle. Layoutshooter

 

[layoutshooter]

Wheel base from the center of the front axle to the center of the drive is "324. There is "116 behind the drives to the rear of the truck. Layoutshooter

 

[TeamCaffee]

You have several problems working against you if you add a third axle your fuel mileage will get worse.
Do you have a pusher or a tag axle?

 

[TeamCaffee]

Do you have a belly mount or roof mount reefer?

 

[layoutshooter]

There is "52 between the center of the lift axle to the center of the drives. Layoutshooter

 

[LDB]

Wheel base from the center of the front axle to the center of the drive is "324. There is "116 behind the drives to the rear of the truck. Layoutshooter

Is this a 22' cargo box? The axle centerline is 116" to the rear of the box? That's way far back. The centerline of the drive axle should be near the center of the cargo box which would be about 132" to the rear of the truck. It sounds like there wasn't an engineer involved in the wb spec, just someone with some darts.

 

[TeamCaffee]

Joe, do you have the figures for the drives backwards? The rear axle with tag or pusher down should weigh less. Bob thinks you have two options get a heavier front axle, suspension, and bigger tires to handle 14,000lbs or move the axle’s forwards which Bob thinks would be cheaper and better. He does not like the idea of a third axle, this might be cheaper initially but it will cost you more in the long run.

 

[layoutshooter]

Yes, it is a '22 box and it is "116 from the center of the drives to the back of the truck. It is a belly mount reefer, a pusher axle. I do lose a little on fuel millage. Layoutshooter

 

[layoutshooter]

Nope figures are correct. Up rears are 15460, down 16680. I am going to a Freightliner on Monday and have them run a component sheet on this truck. I want to be sure of the axle capacity of the steer axles. There are stickers allllll over the thing with different weights. I want to confirm that they are 12,000lb. As too the different tires, I think I would have to go to "12 rims , is that correct? How would those really big tires affect millage? The ride? etc. Layoutshooter

 

[TeamCaffee]

Bob thinks you probably all ready have a 12,000lb front axle you will need to go to 14,000lb plus and the 12" tires. Bob is think 1/2 to 3/4 lost in mpg but that is speculation but at the cost of fuel that is a huge loss over a year.

 

[nightcreacher]

My way of thinking,as a tractor driver,I think your cheapest move would be to move your rear axles forward,this woud take weight off the steers and with your tag axle down,as a D unit you should be ok

 

[layoutshooter]

No cheap answer, that is for sure. I am afraid that there is 12,000lbs axles on the front but I will find out Monday for sure. I will talk with alumi-bunk Monday as well. Layoutshooter