Semi-Trailer Dolley Pad

[jopalu]

I need to design a Semi-Trailer Dolley Pad to support the front end of the trailer, in the absence of the tractor.

What is the max total carrying load of a semi-trailer? 45K?

 

[aggman]

I am not sure this will really answer your question but I have designed several of these. Mine have always been application specific so I could readily calculate the king-pin load and go from there. The problem is that since you will not be going down the road with it then you can just about pour all the weight someone is brave enough to put on it. I have seen single axle dolleys with 40000# king pin loads on them. Depending on the application I would determine the number of axles required and then size for a creep load. This will likely be 1.75 to 2 times the highway rating. If it is for highway use and not yard use then I would size for the highway rating of the axle. Based on an HS-25 axle your king pin could legally see 40 kips plus impact. See if this gets you going.

 

[rmw]

What kind of semi trailer? Some can have lots more than half of 45K lb on them, and who is to say that even the nromal the 45K is evenly distributed. The trailer may be loaded so as to put more weight on the drivers and steer axles and less on the trailer axles. This is commonly done.

I suggest that you google 'landing gear' or 'trailer dollies' etc and find out what the maximum capacities that the manufacturers are offering. Then design your pad as if that load was on it.

Google 'mid america truck show' or 'great american trucking show' and if those work, find links to mfgr's.

rmw