5 Situations Where You Would Need a Steerable Trailer Axle

When you’re dealing with difficult-to-navigate situations, it can make or break your load. A steerable trailer axle is critical to help you get where you need to be safely, successfully and efficiently. We’ll take a look at five situations where a steerable trailer axle is vital.

At Pinnacle Trailer Sales, we have a wide variety of both new and used trailers for sale. Our extensive inventory means we’ll have what you need, when you need it. Not sure what trailer will work best for you? Our MVP assessment enables us to help you find the right trailer for the right haul, right now. Contact us to get started.

Before we examine these five situations, let’s take a closer look at what a steerable trailer axle is.

What Is a Steerable Trailer Axle?

This is an assembly that features pivoting wheels. This enables the trailer to follow the arc of a turn. It’s ideal because it not only keeps the trailer from dragging curbs, but it also helps you make tighter turns.

When Would You Need a Steerable Trailer Axle? 5 Situations Where It’s Vital

These axles are indispensable when navigating difficult roadways. In fact, they’re ideal in the following:

1. Urban deliveries: Navigating narrow city streets in dense traffic requires laser-sharp precision. These steerable axles also enable you to work within difficult unloading zones.
2. Challenging curves: Tight and difficult-to-navigate roadways present particularly complicated situations when you’re handling a trailer. Safety can’t be compromised, and therefore, it’s critical to have firm control and maneuverability.
3. Tire protection: Through these axles, you’re also able to prevent “scrubbing” your tires, as well as minimize heat and friction. Tight maneuvers can also shave off your treadwear, particularly if you navigate tight curves frequently. This is a situation where steerable axles can help protect your tires.
4. Even load distribution: Uneven weight ruins tires. These axles can bear weight when you go around sharp corners because they don’t need to be lifted. That means you keep all your tires on the road.
5. Protecting the trailer frame: By smoothly maneuvering curves, you’re able to dramatically reduce wear and tear on your chassis and minimize structural stress.

How Do Steerable Trailer Axles Work?

There are different categories of steerable trailer axles: self-steering, forced steering and command. While they all work slightly differently, the underlying principle is the same.

In self-steering axles, the pivot point is slightly forward. This means a side-loading force will push the tires to follow thanks to free-turning wheelsets that are located at either end of the axle. They align naturally during turns.

In forced steering axles (sometimes referred to as positively steered axles), hydraulic cylinders cause fluid to push the wheels in the correct direction. This is due to a specifically designed lug that is located just behind the kingpin.

Command axles are similar, only they are controlled with a remote or automated system to get the wheels to turn.

How Do Steerable Trailer Axles Impact Trailer Maintenance?

While these axles reduce tire scrub and can help prevent frame stress, they do require a certain amount of maintenance. Most specifically, the steering axles must be lubricated more often than regular axles. This has to be handled precisely; you simply can’t pump grease into the fittings.

It can also cause more component wear on:

• Kingpins
• Wear washers
• Locking mechanisms

Regular maintenance is vital to continue to reduce your tire wear and minimize structural fatigue.

Interested in Steerable Axles? We Can Get You Started With the Right Trailer, Right Now

At Pinnacle Trailer Sales, our dedication to you lasts far beyond the initial sale. We view your success as our success. With an extensive inventory coupled with experienced maintenance technicians and rental programs, you never have to worry about losing precious time on the road.

We’d love to work with you to help determine the best trailer and the best axles for you so you can get the hauls you need. Let’s get started.