Dont know how long they have been about but early - mid 90s on a tri axle the front axle lifting seems by far the most popular but see lots of variations on the road now, rear lifting, middle lifting, and both front and rear lifting with the middle down. I think all WH Malcolms are rear steer with no lift. So which is best, and what are the pros and cons for each set up?.
Don’t remember seeing a rear steer Malcolm trailer 
Thought WHM’s were only front lift?
Basically its all about tyre wear. Weve got rear lift, one where the front and rear lift and one which is rear steer. To pull I prefer the rear steer trailer but due to its length it`s to big for our job so is only used as a spare.
We’ve got both types, some have front lift others have rear lift.
I’ve noticed that the rear lifts are a lot easier in narrow lanes they dont cut the corners quite as much as front lift, handy when most of your drops and collections are on farms 
rear steer good for tight turns
rear lift makes for massive tail swing but tighter reversing
front lift makes for normal tail swing and slow lazy reversing
Den Hartogh were running front and rear lift triaxles 30 years ago on the MDI contract
I used to work with Andrew Black in Drem we had front and rear lift and even fully frieghted with 25 tons of grain
we were under pain of death if we didnt lift both when we were in farm yards.
Bloody middle axel was almost bending in half but no tyre scrubbing.
I have just ordered 2 new trailers, and after asking for front lift axle got told I can only have that if I also have a rear steer, but can have a lifting rear axle without anything else required.
Not sure why this would be law, its what I go told. Perhaps he wanted me to spend more.
tc trans:
and after asking for front lift axle got told I can only have that if I also have a rear steer, but can have a lifting rear axle without anything else required.
Not sure why this would be law, its what I go told
My best guess is that a front lift without a rear steer would mean you wouldn’t be able to make the turning circle requirements due to the effective wheelbase being too long.
Paul
repton:
tc trans:
and after asking for front lift axle got told I can only have that if I also have a rear steer, but can have a lifting rear axle without anything else required.
Not sure why this would be law, its what I go toldMy best guess is that a front lift without a rear steer would mean you wouldn’t be able to make the turning circle requirements due to the effective wheelbase being too long.
Paul
I’ve pulled many a front lift non rear steer?
Steve-o:
I’ve pulled many a front lift non rear steer?
So have I, in fact my own trailer is front lift and not rear steer. Whether or not that means you’ll fail on the turning circle legislation will depend on the wheelbase of the trailer and it might just be that the ones tctrans was getting a quote for have the axles nearer to the back of the trailer than others. Only a guess mind, I could be wrong.
Paul