You may have seen more than one wheel side by side in tow trucks carried by a truck or lorry. Usually two side by side wheel while they are in contact with the ground, a wheel hangs in the air behind or in front of them. So for most trucks we see a total of 6 wheels, two of which are in the air. What if there are still a few wheels to carry the burden of the others? Why do we see them in the sky?

Today we will talk about the function of the wheels on trucks and trailers, which we usually see in the air. Many people think that this wheel acts as a spare wheel, but it is actually a spare wheel. install axle system an extremely expensive method. These wheels have a more important job. Let’s explain why the rear wheels of trucks and trailers usually stay in the air.

The wheels suspended in the air behind the trucks are actually used when the vehicle has to carry more load.

transport of heavy loads We can assess the payload of the truck and semi-trailer trailers used for transport based on the number of axles. The axle, that is the name we give to the part to which the opposite wheels are connected, the more it is, the more cargo the truck can carry. In its simplest form, let’s assume that each dual wheel and axle system carries a load of 10 tons. The 2-axle system carries a load of 20 tons and the 3-axle system carries a load of 30 tons (these weights are given as an example).

The more wheels touch the ground, the higher the fuel consumption.

When the truck or lorry driver is not transporting a heavy load, he can operate the steering wheel from the cab with a button. hydraulic lifts it. The reason for this is actually related to fuel economy. If this axle system is used, even if not necessary, more wheels will hit the road, It will cause more friction and thus fuel consumption will increase more. At the same time, wear is reduced because fewer mechanical parts of the vehicle will rotate.

Wheels floating in the air prevent serious accidents in the event of punctures.

Of course, the presence of two wheels connected to a single axle system at the rear also gives confidence to the drivers. These wheels, which stay firm all the time, instead of falling directly onto the rim when a wheel punctures. takes over the weight of the other wheels and it stands in the way of very serious consequences.

On some tractors with 2 axles at the rear, the rear axle can be lifted into the air.

Not only in trailers, but sometimes also those who transport these trailers also in tow trucks this axis system can be used. Fuel savings can be achieved by raising the wheels at the end of these tractors, which can carry more load without going uphill or downhill. At the same time, this method can be used to make the truck make sharper maneuvers.

Why do these wheels keep spinning even though they are in the air?

The wheels, which are a little inactive in the air, continue to turn, albeit slowly. This is because the vehicle It creates momentum while moving. It can also be seen that while the differential they are connected to is spinning the other wheels, the remaining energy is also spinning these stationary wheels.

Of course there are also trailers where this number of wheels is much higher.

Sometimes it may be necessary to carry structures that are very heavy. Special tractors and trailers are produced for such situations. Maybe this way weighing thousands of tons Even built structures can be transported without any problems because the weight is distributed over the axles.

Today we explained to you what the wheels in the air on the backs of trucks and trailers actually do. If you would like more of this type of content, please contact us. comments You can write in it.