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KKELLER14K's avatar
KKELLER14K
Explorer II
Nov 12, 2016

Wheel position on RV frame?

I'm new at this but something tells me different. Why is a semi truck trailer have it's rear tires so far back to the rear when a 5th wheel RV has it's tire set literally in the middle of the frame...can anyone explain this??

6 Replies

  • Some semi trailer can also slide the read axles forward or aft to adjust the amount of pin weight on the truck.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    You will only find on GN horse haulers. This is because most of the weight of the horses will directly supported by the rear tires.
  • Semi-Truck has 2 sets of dully wheels so designed to carry 1/2 of a loaded trailer weight. Semi Trailer wheels at the back carry the other 1/2 of loaded trailer weight. Most semi trailers have 42,000# load plus weight of trailer. Now to relate to a common 5th wheel, the trailer and load ballpark 12,000 to as much as 18,000#. Trailer axles toward center = trailer wheels carrying majority of load. 3/4 ton pickups limited to about 2400# pin weight, dually 1 ton pick ups about 4500#. These are just ballpark numbers from memory to give you a idea of "apples / oranges" comparison.
    Randu
  • Weight , semi tractors can carry the weight pickup trucks cannot,