Why Trailers Extra Wheels Dont Touch The Ground

Did you know that most trailers don’t allow their extra wheels to touch the ground? Extra wheels on trailers and trucks, often seen hovering above the ground, are known as lift axles.

These wheels serve a vital purpose by helping to distribute heavy loads more evenly across the vehicle. When a trailer carries a significant weight, the lift axles can be lowered to increase the number of wheels in contact with the road, enhancing stability during transport. This distribution helps prevent excessive wear on tires and reduces the risk of overloading any single axle, which is crucial for maintaining safety and compliance with weight regulations.

Lift axles are typically operated remotely, allowing drivers to lower or raise them as needed. This flexibility is especially useful in varying load conditions. For example, when a trailer is empty or lightly loaded, the driver can lift the axles to reduce rolling resistance, which in turn saves fuel and minimizes tire wear. However, when the trailer is loaded, lowering the axles helps to spread the weight, allowing for safer transportation of heavy goods. This adaptability makes lift axles an essential feature for many trucking operations.

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While lift axles provide benefits, they also come with some drawbacks. These disadvantages can impact overall efficiency and performance. If lowered without a heavy load, they can increase fuel consumption and wear out tires faster. Additionally, having extra wheels can complicate manoeuvrability, making it harder for trailers to navigate tight corners due to increased scrubbing. Understanding these pros and cons is vital for truck drivers and fleet operators to optimize their operations.

The most obvious function of a trailer wheel is to apply contact pressure between a trailer and the road surface. A trailer wheel is built for the loads and stresses related to towing but some compromises can be apparent in their strength due to factors such as the material, size and construction quality and load rating. I found out that lawn mower wheels are very strong due to the material used and the load rating it carries. Tow bar wheels are strong for sure, but this depends on the materials, load rating, size and good care for them. In any use, regardless of flexibility a wheel that has no working performance expectation is not required, but sustains loads. Always check that the trailer wheels in use are rated to the load you are towing and have been examined for compression deformation and any injuries.