3 axle hopper trailer axle spacing

Dec 09, 2022 at 05:49 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Hello All, this is probably a noob question, but I see that most 3 axle grain trailers have a pair of tandems with a third axle spaced 10'8" from the centerline of the front tandem and a few that have 3 equally spaced axles. What are the advantages to this? Do some states up north have bridge laws that this complies with? Thanks

Replied on Sat, Dec 10, 2022 at 09:32 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Have to be evenly spaced for Canada

Replied on Sat, Dec 10, 2022 at 02:51 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I believe you are referring to the tridem configuration. A tandem configuration on a semi trailer has a legal gross weight of 34,000 pounds or 80,000 pounds total gross with a 3 axle tractor. A tridem configuration has a legal gross weight of 42,000 pounds on the trailer or 88,000 pounds total gross with a 3 axle tractor... If I am wrong somebody please correct me. I currently run with a tridem belt trailer. I really like the setup. When empty I put the back axle up and it becomes a tandem, when loaded I put the back axle down and can scale more weight in states that allow it. My dilemma is living in a state (Michigan) that allows 168,000 pounds gross if you have the axles, but the states that border Michigan have 80,000 pound gross limits. Because I do most of my hauling interstate the extra axle actually hurts me because it adds weight. I have a new trailer on order that is coming with a spread axle to save weight.

Replied on Sat, Dec 10, 2022 at 02:51 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I believe you are referring to the tridem configuration. A tandem configuration on a semi trailer has a legal gross weight of 34,000 pounds or 80,000 pounds total gross with a 3 axle tractor. A tridem configuration has a legal gross weight of 42,000 pounds on the trailer or 88,000 pounds total gross with a 3 axle tractor... If I am wrong somebody please correct me.

I currently run with a tridem belt trailer. I really like the setup. When empty I put the back axle up and it becomes a tandem, when loaded I put the back axle down and can scale more weight in states that allow it.

My dilemma is living in a state (Michigan) that allows 168,000 pounds gross if you have the axles, but the states that border Michigan have 80,000 pound gross limits. Because I do most of my hauling interstate the extra axle actually hurts me because it adds weight. I have a new trailer on order that is coming with a spread axle to save weight.

Replied on Mon, Dec 12, 2022 at 09:11 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Thanks for your replies. Looks like they would be harder to turn in tight spaces.

Replied on Tue, Dec 13, 2022 at 07:00 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. 50,000 #on 3 axles proving the trailer is at least 34 foot , overweight permits vary from state to state ,