Turning Trajectory

Topic 31008 | Page 1

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BK's Comment
member avatar

One thing I would like to know more about is how turning and backing is affected by where the trailer tandems are positioned. For the first time, I went to a distribution facility where I was required to move my tandems all the way back before I was allowed to enter the yard. Normally, I slide my tandems after I get positioned at a dock, etc. this time I noticed how everything was very different maneuvering with those tandems all the way back.

So my question is this: how do you experienced drivers deal with this situation? What should new drivers be aware of when doing yard moves with tandems all the way back?

Tandems:

Tandem Axles

A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".

Tandem:

Tandem Axles

A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Davy A.'s Comment
member avatar

Not that Im an experienced driver, but I actually kind of like having the tandems back in some ways. Its more forgiving if that makes sense, I can make much more finite adjustments to the trailer path as it takes more input to turn it. Also, there is less outswing on the opposite side. It kind of slows the process down for me. Although if its a tight area, its easier to manipulate it with the tandems forward. Probably better than half of the customers have me move the tandems all the way back prior to dropping or docking and Ive gotten comfortable with that. The downside is that making adjustments going forward require more input and more space.

Tandems:

Tandem Axles

A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".

Tandem:

Tandem Axles

A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".

PackRat's Comment
member avatar

Move them all the way back at the gate. Once you leave the gate behind, slide them back where you feel comfortable. After you have the trailer parked, slide them back to the rear again.

Steve L.'s Comment
member avatar

Generally, I’ve found the distribution centers that require this have plenty of room for backing. However, on the rare occasion that’s not the case, I’ll assess it like PackRat says and move ‘em forward, then slide them back once I’m straight in.

BK's Comment
member avatar

Just to expand on this topic, if you get into a real tight backing situation, what position is best to put the tandems in? And how does tail swing factor in? I’m probably over thinking things here, but I need to learn these things.

Tandems:

Tandem Axles

A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".

Tandem:

Tandem Axles

A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".

Steve L.'s Comment
member avatar

Just to expand on this topic, if you get into a real tight backing situation, what position is best to put the tandems in? And how does tail swing factor in? I’m probably over thinking things here, but I need to learn these things.

Tandems all the way forward should give you the most maneuverability, BUT the most trailer swing.

You’ll find what works for you. And no matter how upset a yard, or other driver gets, Get Out And Look if you gotta.

Tandems:

Tandem Axles

A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".

Tandem:

Tandem Axles

A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".

Kerry L.'s Comment
member avatar

double-quotes-start.png

Just to expand on this topic, if you get into a real tight backing situation, what position is best to put the tandems in? And how does tail swing factor in? I’m probably over thinking things here, but I need to learn these things.

double-quotes-end.png

Tandems all the way forward should give you the most maneuverability, BUT the most trailer swing.

You’ll find what works for you. And no matter how upset a yard, or other driver gets, Get Out And Look if you gotta.

It's the rear side opposite the direction turning that creates the biggest problem with trailer swing, correct?

Tandems:

Tandem Axles

A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".

Tandem:

Tandem Axles

A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".

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