d22019

I was looking under the trailer I just got a couple weeks ago and noticed it was set up for a lift axle. Its hard to explain without pics but here it goes. There are two large heavy duty hooks attached to the frame that grab the front axle and hold it up. To let it down you wedge something under the tire or jack up the axle and tie the hooks out of the way. It holds the tires about 4" off the ground and seems like it works( I haven't gone down the road like that yet though) and I'm just wondering if its legal to run empty with just one axle on the ground. Btw its a 35' float and even has a belly tank underneath.

Buddy Stewert

I think your ok if your empty and not over weight on the one axle. You pay less toll up north or out east with less rubber on the road.

firestorm

Ditto

.boB

Other than a cheaper toll, why would you do that?

firestorm

Wear on the tires and brakes, of the lifted axle.

d22019

Would running with it up help fuel mileage any? There really isn't a need to pull those extra 4 tires empty, and the drag made from the bearings and brakes does add up.

Shovelhead

There's a great idea.
I wonder if you could get DOUBLE the milage increase if you lifted BOTH axles?........... Hmmmmmmmmmm

Jaxom

I used to haul cars with one of the big car hauling companies. They had "tag" axles that lifted on the rear of their tractors. They looked like a regular drive axle, but would pick up off the ground.
State of Georgia didn't recognize them at all. It was as if they didn't exist! Even if the air valve was locked on.
Supposed to be cheaper to operate. Less fuel, less wear and tear on tires, brakes, suspension, etc.

1-5-3-6-2-4

Alot of super B tankers running around here empty yank all the trailer axles except the rear axle of each trailer.

grouch

Several years ago I was thinking of going into hauling vehicles on a hot shot basis. I planned to haul two on the truck and tow a trailer with one or two in it. The dealer mentioned that if I wanted to use the retractable axle, I wouldn't pay excise tax on the lifted axle. When registering it, you pay for what the truck uses empty. Like a previous poster said, it's like it doesn't exist.

You also put less wear on the tires, less drag and pay per axle on the ground at toll booths.

d22019

I think I'll give it a go and see what happens. I see some of the big walking floor trailers around here running with one axle down on super singles. My biggest concern was too much weight on that axle. I guess if the big boys get get away with it,I'll try it too.

Justwannabeme

yup , as above, and yup on the saving wear point.

first thing a dot/trooper will look at is the registration weight, not the trailer tag. sooooo be aware of that. your registered weight is less than the gwr on the tire load with ply, smile at him and be happy.