Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumSpace Below

Sliding a semi-trailer's tandem axles all the way to the rear of the trailer frame increases the ground clearance beneath the center of the vehicle when crossing a crowned railroad grade or steep driveway crest.

Answer: Answer

Answer

False
The statement is false because moving tandem axles to the rear increases the open span between the tractor drive wheels and the trailer wheels. When straddling a crowned surface, elevated grade crossing, or steep driveway entrance, a longer wheelbase reduces breakover clearance and makes the undercarriage significantly more prone to bottoming out or becoming high-centered.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the relationship between trailer tandem axle position and effective wheelbase span.
Sliding the trailer tandems to the rear extremity increases the distance between the drive axles and the trailer support wheels.
Vehicle ground clearance over humps and crests depends directly on the distance between supporting axle groups.
2
Evaluate the effect of a longer wheelbase on center breakover ground clearance over crowned obstacles.
A longer span causes the midpoint of the trailer chassis to hang lower relative to the peak of the road profile.
When the front and rear axles straddle a crowned peak simultaneously, greater axle separation reduces the clearance between the trailer frame belly and the road surface.
3
Determine the truth value of the statement.
The statement claims ground clearance increases, which directly contradicts physical vehicle geometry.
Rearward tandem placement decreases breakover clearance and increases hang-up risk.

Key Concept

Effect of Axle Spacing and Wheelbase on Undercarriage Breakover Clearance
Estimated Time:45s
Rate this question

Topics

Space Below

More questions from this topic