alfamale66:
Ah yes DieselDave the good old days before we were turned Green
we used to have them tip up regularly at Middlewich while they were being loaded on the bays
That sounds like fun!!! so long as nobody gets hurt of course.
Good news.
I survived my day out with the stumpy trailer! In many ways its even easier to pull than a standard. Its so easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces. Unfortunately thats also the greatest danger, in confined places if too much lock is used the steering axle makes the rear end swing out upto 18inches! definately something to remember.
Mr B:
Good news.
I survived my day out with the stumpy trailer! In many ways its even easier to pull than a standard. Its so easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces. Unfortunately thats also the greatest danger, in confined places if too much lock is used the steering axle makes the rear end swing out upto 18inches! definately something to remember.
Hi Mr B, I could say ‘I told you so,’ so I will.
But seriously, if you mastered the reversing of one of those contraptions after a single shift, you deserve a pat on the back. 
BTW, the ones we had didn’t have any overhang whatsoever. 
dieseldave:
The ones I’ve seen of this type have some extra gubbins underneath the trailer near to the king pin.
The fifth-wheel only engages the gubbins during a turn, the gubbins then turn the trailer axle via chains/cables [I think] (relative to the chassis) which results in shorter turns and far less tyre scrub when these are used with a short tandem trailer.
TIP: Have a look at one of the shorter Iceland trailers next time you get chance.
The ones I have seen have 2 turntables connected by a rod. On the front turntable there is a wedge that goes into the rear of the fifth wheel.
A bit like this (Drawing by me):
Cheers
NewBlood