TruckScience offers great tools for those in the industry looking to configure, or re-configure their truck combinations. Their industry-leading tools offer an easy way to calculate axle weights, measure fuel performance, compare specifications, and perform a cost analysis on a truck configuration. We here at Big Truck Guide have been helping TruckScience add Canadian size … Read more
The Big Truck Guide database contains dimension limits for 27 truck types. Pictures of each dimension are shown, with examples of straight truck limits, semi truck limits, and limits specific to B Trains, A trains and other trailers.
A new report by the Carbon Tracker Initiative highlights a reality that will soon be apparent to everyone. Fossil fuels are something that will come to an end, and the world will move to other sources of energy. Not only because it is better for the environment, but most importantly, because it will be cheaper. Which energy sources will be used for powering heavy trucks in the future?
What are the pros and cons of each – 53′ trailer with regular spread VS 48′ trailer with 10’1″ spread tandems?
There is sometimes confusion the difference between regular and spread tandems, how they are used, and what trailer lengths are used with each.
This article takes a look at comparing two common setups:
– 5 axle semi truck with a 53′ trailer and regular tandems – 4’2″
– 5 axle semi truck with a 48′ trailer and spread tandems – 10’1″
Expect to see more of this on Ontario highways Ontario has changed its LCV program. The program has been in place since 2009 and has been growing in popularity. Now, carriers can further take advantage of the larger vehicle sizes in Ontario to increase their payloads and efficiencies. Changes to the program include: Lifting permit … Read more
Divisible loads can be broken apart easily, while indivisible loads generally take more than 8 hours of work to disassemble. It is usually possible to obtain a permit for an indivisible load, but divisible loads have to follow weight regulations. Indivisible Loads: Hauling divisible versus indivisible loads makes a huge difference in the type of … Read more
James Moore, a Big Truck Guide reader contributed these instructions on how to move your tandems. He writes: Step 1: A method I use & (also train students) with is by using post it notes. Tear a post it note in 1/2. Put 1 piece on the trailer marking where the tandem pin is. Use … Read more
Some time ago, a Compliance and Logistics Coordinator for a shipper in California asked the following question to Big Truck Guide: Is it prudent to ask a carrier on California to have rear tandem wheels set in the most rearward position throughout the shipment? In regards to your question, I will address whether it is … Read more
Herman Jans wrote into Big Truck Guide with this picture and story:
This is the truck I drove out of Whitehorse, YT, in 1996, hauling lead or zinc ore from the Anvil Range Mine north of Faro, YT, down to the seaport of Skagway, Alaska. Gross weight was 77,111 kgs. (170,000 lbs). The hill down into Skagway, was 14 miles long, with an average grade of 12 %.
Herman Jans
Sherwood Park, Alberta
Most of the time, drivers have problems moving their tandems backwards, to take weight off of their trailer tandems. But there are a couple of situations where drivers need to be careful of how far forward they move their tandems.