302

Turning radius: steering gears

A single gear chassis always turns sharper to the left than to the right. The steering gear, regardless of set forward or set back axle position, is the limiting factor on the LH side of the frame. The biggest reason you can’t turn as sharp on a set forward axle is tire to gear conflict, where on a setback axle the limiting factor is tire to draglink. Dual gears result in generally the same turning left or right due to both gears.

303

Weight distribution

Weight calculators determine ONE SPOT for maximum ground loading allowed, it doesn’t matter if the vehicle is a truck or tractor. Weight distribution is weight distribution. It doesn’t matter how the weight is applied, either through the king pin or a weighted body. Don’t get confused about trailer king pin settings on the trailer, they have NO AFFECT on chassis loading, but can have an effect on the ability to reach max load through the king pin and definitely impact the trailer gap.