Axles in a truck, trailers and... music

[Aderod]

It's time for another episode of my questions:

1. European trucks (generally) have one wheel axle at the front and one at the rear, and trailers with three axles. In the US (based on movies, photos and of course the game) in the truck there are two rear axles and two in the trailer. What is a cause of it?
2. With the latest version, we can buy our own trailers and change the position of the wheel axles. Why are some of the trailer axeles are located at the very end, while others are moved to the center?
3. I have only two songs that I associate with "driving" (Kavinsky - Nightcall, Poets of the Fall - Late Goodbye) can anyone suggest songs that will extend my playlist. I know that driving an American truck requires country music, but you can always let some heresy in

[synthohol]

About axles on American and European trucks: There are European ones which have three axles, like American ones, too. It may also be related to other evaluation of axle loads and the variety of street laws in Europe (remember, EU alone consists of 27 countries with their own respective laws). To keep it short: I assume that in Europe axle load is connected to axles on the trailer whereas in the USA axle load is connected to all axles present. Therefore it is possible to "transfer" axles from a trailer to the truck.

About axles on trailers: The far more to the end axles are positioned, the easier a trailer will keep a straight line, but the harder it becomes to maneuver. Additionally, positioning can influence street legality of trailers. Most discussed example for this are 53' trailers, to keep it short: If you want to use one in California, its axles have to be in "front" position.

About music: I found songs from ZZ Top's first three albums to be fun for long sessions on interstate routes. "Barrowland Ballroom" and "This Is The Life" by Amy Macdonald are also nice additions. "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne, and "Death Valley Queen" by Flogging Molly surprisingly work fine, too.

[Twelvefield]

The best trucking road music is anything by Linda Ronstadt. "Willin'" is at the top of the list.

[SavageOutlaw17]

Originally posted by randomisator:

About axles on American and European trucks: There are European ones which have three axles, like American ones, too. It may also be related to other evaluation of axle loads and the variety of street laws in Europe (remember, EU alone consists of 27 countries with their own respective laws). To keep it short: I assume that in Europe axle load is connected to axles on the trailer whereas in the USA axle load is connected to all axles present. Therefore it is possible to "transfer" axles from a trailer to the truck.

About axles on trailers: The far more to the end axles are positioned, the easier a trailer will keep a straight line, but the harder it becomes to maneuver. Additionally, positioning can influence street legality of trailers. Most discussed example for this are 53' trailers, to keep it short: If you want to use one in California, its axles have to be in "front" position.

About music: I found songs from ZZ Top's first three albums to be fun for long sessions on interstate routes. "Barrowland Ballroom" and "This Is The Life" by Amy Macdonald are also nice additions. "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne, and "Death Valley Queen" by Flogging Molly surprisingly work fine, too.

The two things I need to add are the fact that with the axles on trailers, the position of the axles, whether forward or backward, are all about weight distribution which helps the way the trailer handles with the load.

The second is with the axles on the truck depend on how heavy the loads that that truck will be carrying. Most trucks that you see here on the road in the USA are triple axle trucks, meaning one front axle and two drive axles. You get some that have a dropable axle, but that's only for really heavy loads mainly used on construction semi trucks or dump trucks. In dockyards or warehouse yards, you see single rear axle trucks becuase they are usually just to move empty trailers in position to be loaded those types of trailers usually don't go above 15,000 lbs.

Hope this helps answer your questions. :)

[B_Wald]

Originally posted by Aderod:

It's time for another episode of my questions:

1. European trucks (generally) have one wheel axle at the front and one at the rear, and trailers with three axles. In the US (based on movies, photos and of course the game) in the truck there are two rear axles and two in the trailer. What is a cause of it?
2. With the latest version, we can buy our own trailers and change the position of the wheel axles. Why are some of the trailer axeles are located at the very end, while others are moved to the center?
3. I have only two songs that I associate with "driving" (Kavinsky - Nightcall, Poets of the Fall - Late Goodbye) can anyone suggest songs that will extend my playlist. I know that driving an American truck requires country music, but you can always let some heresy in

1. I have no idea. Probably something to do with weight distribution.

2. There are a few reasons for the wheels to be set forward, especially on the 53-foot trailers. California has a restriction on the distance from the pin (hitch) to the rearmost axle on the trailer, for one. Also, it reduces the truck's turning radius and reduces the stress on the trailer's frame.

3. Here are some of my favourite driving songs: Highway Song (Blackfoot), Kill the King (Rainbow), Long Way From Home (Copperhead), Green Onions (Booker T.), One Last Ride (Molly Hatchet), Die Young (Black Sabbath), Country Roads (John Denver), Walk of Life (Dire Straits), I've Been Everywhere (Johnny Cash), plus about 30 more songs on my playlist.

These songs range in style. Most are classic rock & roll, some are heavy metal, some are country, and "green onions" is just a repeating bluesy riff. Try 'em, I hope you like.

[synthohol]

Originally posted by Truck Maniac 18:

[...] The two things I need to add are the fact that with the axles on trailers, the position of the axles, whether forward or backward, are all about weight distribution which helps the way the trailer handles with the load.

The second is with the axles on the truck depend on how heavy the loads that that truck will be carrying. Most trucks that you see here on the road in the USA are triple axle trucks, meaning one front axle and two drive axles. You get some that have a dropable axle, but that's only for really heavy loads mainly used on construction semi trucks or dump trucks. In dockyards or warehouse yards, you see single rear axle trucks becuase they are usually just to move empty trailers in position to be loaded those types of trailers usually don't go above 15,000 lbs.
[...]

Yes, weight distribution is also a factor, which I forgot. Trailers with front and drive axle (I suppose this means one front axle to be able to turn and one or two axles in the rear) aren't as common as semi trailers or trailers with centered axles in goods transport in Europe. They are more likely to be found in agricultural applications.

[Aderod]

Thanks everyone for expanding my knowledge about trucks and my playlist. You all deserve a big cookie ;D

[NerVusTwiTch]

Some of my playlist varies alot in style.
I have some Willie,Cash,Highway Men,70's ZZ Top,Some popular 80's stuff like Don Henly's Dirty Laundry,Smugglers Blues,George Thorogood. And of cours I got CW Macall's Convoy in there.
But one of my Favs in the list is some old Jerry Reed....especially The Ballad of Gator Mckluskey, lryics and that guitar is just awesome. Whats odd is thats what I listen to in game but I was always more Classic rock/metal head, lol.