Why is it that MOST lift axles on curtainsider,fridge,box trailers are the forward most axle whilst low loaders,step frames and a lot of tipping rtailers are rear axle lift?
Tag axle (Lift axle behind the drive axle) is a shorter wheelbase therefore much more manouverable. However due to the shorter wheelbase the ride quality is compromised.
Breaker One-Nine:
Tag axle (Lift axle behind the drive axle) is a shorter wheelbase therefore much more manouverable. However due to the shorter wheelbase the ride quality is compromised.
Think you misread there B-19, he means the lift axle on the trailer,
I think its probably just a manufacturer thing, however due to the fact that my boss doesnt buy anything new weve got both types.
The front axle lift type tends to cut corners when lifted whereas the rear axle lift type doesnt.
Ive also seen tri-axle trailers with both front and rear axles lifted, just running on the middle axle.
toowise:
Breaker One-Nine:
Ive also seen tri-axle trailers with both front and rear axles lifted, just running on the middle axle.
I’ve spent most of the time I’ve had C+E on those, bloody undriveable I’d say
milodon:
toowise:
Breaker One-Nine:
Ive also seen tri-axle trailers with both front and rear axles lifted, just running on the middle axle.I’ve spent most of the time I’ve had C+E on those, bloody undriveable I’d say
Yes but they were always good for an argument crossing the Humber Bridge. Made a huge difference with a 3 axle artic compared to six axles
I have a rear lift on my bulker and it makes getting into farms so much easier once you get used to it but you must remember it’s alright getting in but you still have to get out so and I know its not the thing to do but I hit the lift button to release some pressure and load front heavy and out you go , then put axle down jack trailor up and run the corn to the back , simple!! Best bit is if one of the new boys pick up my trailor is watching them reverse it , it cut a real short corner and you lose it quick but I would’nt want a front lift again!!!
MRS had some of those rear lifts on some fridges, trouble was they only seemed to lift an inch or so, when on a bumpy motorway, you could see puffs of smoke where they grounded, reckoned it wore the tyres quicker having them lifted than it did to kep em lowered… 
Because the lift axle alters the turning circle or manouverability we used to have some fun at a place in Hull.
Do any drivers remember loading oil from IBL opposite the old weighbridge?
The gate was at an angle to the road so we had to drive round the block and then reverse across the road into an entrance built for horse and carts. When these automatic lift axles started appearing it confused many people, it was simple to reverse into the yard, but when the axle dropped during loading then the driver had to shunt back and forth to get out again or risk knocking the wall over 
I’m on our artic this week, it’s a triaxle stepframe lowloader with a rear steer axle which also lifts, this makes it quite easy to get about put it is a pain in the arse when you have to reverse loaded with the axle down as you have to lock it so it doesn’t steer.
If you try and get in somewhere tight and can’t get in it is a right pain as the axle is locked round and needs to be straight to lock off so you can reverse it. They are twin wheels to so it don’t arf scrub the tyres on tight manoeuvres.
Thanks for the replies guys.
I still don’t really know though if there is any particular reason,why the rearmost axle lifts on certain types of trailers e.g low loaders,step frame flats and bulkers,whilst on other types e.g frides,curtainsiders,boxes and flats,the foremost axle lifts.
Is it anything to do with the type of work undertaken by the particular types?
I would hazard a guess is that it may be related to where the axles are placed underneath the trailer. Step frames, lowloaders and bulkers typically have little or no rear overhang as the axles are at the rear of the trailer whereas your typical box, reefer or ragsider tends to have axles further forward and more overhang.