I was thinking today, Once I got past the pain of brain activity, I was wondering why everything that trucks tow are trailers and not wagons. I mean, 2 axels spread apart would allow for our trucks to handle alot more than 2 axels together since we don't have to deal with tongue wait as much.

Would love to here thoughts on the subject.

with that said My trailers work great and im not about to go change them. It was just a strange thought.

 

one reason is that if the axels were spread then the wagon's hitch would have to be the exact same as the truck's or one of the axels wouldnt be touching the ground. now maybe having an adjustable hitch could work...but axels together allow a see-saw affect in a way so its more likely that both sets of wheels are on the ground always. idk just rambling about it now haha

 

Convienience factor. Its pretty hard to back up a wagon with a truck. Is it possible yes but because it would hassle the everyday driver its not going to happen.

 

Here in the country I frequently see wagons being used. They seem to always be whipping side to side. What I see is the problem will only get worst with the increase of speed.

 

Yea backing up AND interstate driving would be a no go with two axles spread apart. No pivoting for turns or backing up, would be like a train without tracks. The truck wouldn't lead the wagon down the highway, only pull it.it would sway side to side like crazy

 

Its really hard to back them up from personal experience and taking them on the freeway is not to smart of an idea

 

One of the axles would still be on the ground, the angle of the hitch would just be a great angle on a raised truck.
Having two pivot points as opposed to one also makes it hard as many people have said to back the wagon up. We deal with many trailers at work like that, and it's for the most part easiest to just pick it up with a forklift or front-end loader and move it into position and then take it straight back. Whereas one pivot point, just the hitch, makes it much easier to maneuver around.

 

all right settle down people lets here it from the ct state champion in twin trailers! yep they are set up like wagons2 axels spread apart. believe it or not in europe there are many wagons pulled behind trucks, problem there is no docks so wagons there have liftgates. here we have docks up the a$$ so no need for wagons;ie; harder too back up. thats why no wagons.

 

in my job we use twin and triple axle trailers with one axle at the front and two at the back. these trailers are used to haul 8 thousand plus pounds aircraft munitions. They take a lot of practice to backup, they have limited turn radius and in order to get any tire turn you have to move the truck left and right but keep it pointed straight with the tow bar or else you just jackknife. that's why we use 4 wheel steer tow tractors or very short wheel based modified dodges. we also tow them in tandem. its a testament to the dodge 12valve cummins when you see a 3/4 pickup pulling 16 thousand pounds of explosive with another 8 thousand in combined trailer weight.

 

There are two main reasons why wagons aren't used. They sway at high speeds and they do not apply weight to the drive wheels on the vehicle that's pulling them. With a normal trailer you have weight pushing down on the rear axle which keeps the wheels from just spinning. This is the same reason they sway at high speeds.

Why would it have to be the exact same height? Wagons have a pivoted tongue. The trucks height would be irrelevant. Works the same way as a tow bar on a tug when towing planes.

No pivoting point? The front axles would be able to turn. You've never seen an Australian road train?