nhtrucka Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 I was talking with Orrin S. yesterday and the subject of wheel base came up. What is the proper way to measure wheel base on a tandem axle truck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 I've always measured from the centerline of the front hubs, to the centerline of the rear trunion mount. That is the center of the distance between the two rear axles.Rob Quote Plodding along with no job nor practical application for my existence, but still trying to fix what's broke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Show Dog Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 In Va, we measure from the center of the front hub to the center of the rear hub on the rear tandem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HK Trucking Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 I believe it is as Rob said, from the center of the front hub to the center of the trunnion shaft. Thats how they figure it at the truck dealer if you spec a certain wheelbase. On a single axle it would of course be from the center of the front hub to the center of the rear axle. 1 Quote "If You Can't Shift It Smoothly, You Shouldn't Be Driving It" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 For truck specs use the center of the trunion. For bridge formula caculations use the center of the rear axle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowtiebulldog Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 The proper, universal way to measure wheelbase is, The center of the steer axle hub to the center of the furthestmost rear axle hub center. Period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhtrucka Posted March 5, 2006 Author Share Posted March 5, 2006 Thank you all for the replies. I guess it can be done both ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Show Dog Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 lol, Someone opened up a new can of worms. hahahaha Play nice yall! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 Got that right!! LOL!!I've always heard the center of rears. Guess if you're asking someone, you need to clarify or you might end up with something completely different than you think. Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HK Trucking Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 Now we can put this issue to rest once and for all. The official definition of whhelbase on a tandem axle truck is from the center of the front hub to a point midway between the 2 drive axles . This is according to the National Truck Equipment Association. Here is the link for this info http://www.ntea.com/tr/glossary_detail.asp?term_id=266 The real universal & proper way to measure wheelbase. Period! Quote "If You Can't Shift It Smoothly, You Shouldn't Be Driving It" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowtiebulldog Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Every truck I have stretched out I always measure front hub to rear hub. I stretched my first truck when I was 15 years old(a 1971 White Freightliner cabover) and I have always done that. I have never met anyone who stretches frames and uses that formula. In that case, 2 identical trucks with tandems, one a normal tandem and one a Canadian spread would be the same wheelbase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Now we can put this issue to rest once and for all. The official definition of whhelbase on a tandem axle truck is from the center of the front hub to a point midway between the 2 drive axles . This is according to the National Truck Equipment Association. Here is the link for this info http://www.ntea.com/tr/glossary_detail.asp?term_id=266 The real universal & proper way to measure wheelbase. Period!Once again I second your answer,HK.I have had to argue this with others from time to time.All it usually takes is a tape measure and a copy of the factory spec sheet to prove this is the correct way of measuring whelbase. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaddeusW Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Once again I second your answer,HK.I have had to argue this with others from time to time.All it usually takes is a tape measure and a copy of the factory spec sheet to prove this is the correct way of measuring whelbase.HK is right. For a tandem you measure to the CENTER of the rear axles. With a single axle you measure to the middle of the rear axle of course. With a tri-drive you measure to the center rear axle hub. Any other way is WRONG. The extreme measurement used in bridge formula is called Gross wheelbase, which is front most axle hub to rear most axle hub. If any of you doubting Thomas’s want more proof here is a picture strait out of a Mack CH brochure: 1 Quote -Thad What America needs is less bull and more Bulldog! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Amen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowtiebulldog Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Well, I guess I stand corrected.I guess that is the difference between somebody that does it only on paper and somebody that actually does the real thing. I have stretched enough trucks in the last 20 years so I guess I will continue to do it the WRONG way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhtrucka Posted March 8, 2006 Author Share Posted March 8, 2006 Hey bowtie I'm with you on this. I'll stick with the wrong way also. That way my truck is L O N G E R. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HK Trucking Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 Well, I guess I stand corrected.I guess that is the difference between somebody that does it only on paper and somebody that actually does the real thing. I have stretched enough trucks in the last 20 years so I guess I will continue to do it the WRONG way.Do it whatever way you want, who cares! I'll believe the truth , & I'll keep doing it the way its supposed to be done, & not on paper either!!!!!!!!!!! The question was asked, I knew the answer, then I did some research to support the answer, but evidently it was a waste of my valuable time. Quote "If You Can't Shift It Smoothly, You Shouldn't Be Driving It" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
storkmack Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 Hk is right. This is not about " Those who do it do it this way and wanna be's do it on paper this way". Just because you have been doing something 20 years, doesnt mean you have been doing it RIGHT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhtrucka Posted March 8, 2006 Author Share Posted March 8, 2006 Hey HK Chill out. If you think your reply was a waste of time I am sorry for asking such a difficult question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 Hk is right. This is not about " Those who do it do it this way and wanna be's do it on paper this way". Just because you have been doing something 20 years, doesnt mean you have been doing it RIGHT.10-4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaddeusW Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 OK everyone calm down. Man for some reason this topic really got some people worked up. Every truck manufacturer in the world measures wheelbase the way HK and I described. If you sell your truck by measuring the wheelbase the wrong way it will appear longer to others looking to buy. We were just trying to inform everyone. Well, I guess I stand corrected.I guess that is the difference between somebody that does it only on paper and somebody that actually does the real thing. I have stretched enough trucks in the last 20 years so I guess I will continue to do it the WRONG way.What goes on paper is what rolls out the Mack plant. 1 Quote -Thad What America needs is less bull and more Bulldog! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wreckhell Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 87 mac single axel dump truck dive line measurement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wreckhell Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 Looking to have knowledgeable input on drive line measurements. Been told several different measurements OR WHAT to measure. So I need to have some reliable input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theakerstwo Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 (edited) If you order a new truck with 270 wheel base it will be from center of steer axle to the center of tandem but if DOT ask you or puts a tape on your wheel base its from steer axle to the center of rear axles. Edited March 25, 2019 by theakerstwo Quote glenn akers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 Nice to see an old thread pulled up. To add oil in the flames I can tell that in Russia and in former Soviet Union tandem truck's wheelbase was and currently is measured between the center of hubs of the front axle and the centre of the FRONT REAR axle. Not 100% sure right at the moment but i believe the most European countries do it the same way. As for Russia those measurements are predicted by State Standard system so no way for another use. I should admit that in old books of 50's years tandem truck's wheelbase was indicated to the CENTRE of distance between the rear axles, exactly the way you American guys do. But seems like that point was changed in Soviet standards at some point. Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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