Adding 3rd axle to Tandem dually goosneck.

[deerefanatic]

Here's the scoop: 40' straight deck, tandem duals on dexter 10k axles with slipper springs. Trailer weighs around 10k empty.

Trailer construction appears to be 14" I beam. I'm thinking of putting an air-lift tag axle in front of the duals with shorter 10 ply tires (245/75/16 or similar) to take some extra weight. This would have been the difference between 16 round bales and 24 on the last load I hauled...

I have no doubt that the trailer frame can take it. My question is, will DOT care if I have a "20k" trailer (MFG companies name plate) that is plated for 26k with enough axle and tire to legally haul 26k? I'm ordering my plates tomorrow and I for one don't feel like paying $475 for 26k plates if adding the 3rd axle won't allow me any more payload capacity legally than a $356 20k plate.

 

[dangerous06]

If you need the other 6k get it they go by axles so 3 would give you 30k which is a great cushion. Just carry the axle spec sheet if they ever call you on it!

 

[deerefanatic]

I've got a 1 ton truck axle that I'm going to cut the pumpkin out of and extend.. Plan to run duals on it (215/85/16 so that I can lift em and get em off the ground.... Rest of trailer is 235/85/16), but only plate the trailer for 26k. Should be plenty of cushion.

Got off the phone with state police and they said as long as the tire capacity is there and the plate capacity is there, they don't care. And this was the cops at the local scale...

I'm also looking at going full air ride at the same time...