Double wheels on back of van

Discussion in 'Car and Van Talk' started by diymostthings, Jun 28, 2016.

  1. diymostthings

    diymostthings Well-Known Member

    We noticed a Ford Transit (one of the high and long ones) with double wheels at the back. My son asked me if the two wheels were joined together, could they be removed separately which ones the brakes worked on (or both?). I didn't know but said I would ask...

    Also, sitting in a motorway queue we were next to a lorry and I noticed a kind of digital meter at the centre of one of the rear trailer wheels. Would this be the tyre pressure or something else?

    Thanks for any answers!

    diymostthings
     
  2. Ryluer

    Ryluer Well-Known Member

    The transit wheels come off separate. All our old transits had twin rear wheels then they were phased out.
    Now some models have them back again.

    The numbers on the lorry axle is a Hubodometer meter which counts the mileage.
     
  3. joinerjohn1

    joinerjohn1 Screwfix Select

    It's a hubmeter. Trailers have them so operators can know the mileage done by the trailer, which may be pulled by any lorry traction unit (the front bit) .
     
  4. malkie129

    malkie129 Screwfix Select

    Thanks JJ. Never thought about that before. Obviously the unit has a milometer & tacho, but never thought about the trailer. Just shows...You're never to old to learn. :D:D:D
     
  5. diymostthings

    diymostthings Well-Known Member

    Thanks for that Ryluer - I presume they have disc brakes on the inner hub.

    diymostthings
     
  6. diymostthings

    diymostthings Well-Known Member

    Ah - ha, an expert. Thanks JJ. While we are on the subject, on the same journey we noticed a trailer with one set of wheels raised off the ground! How an when would these be lowered? - presumably when the weight goes above a certian level?
     
  7. philthespark

    philthespark Active Member

    The second set are lowered by air and are only used when the trailer is either carrying a heavy load or you cannot balance the load over the existing axle.
     
  8. Davmac

    Davmac Active Member

    They are stored in the up position as a means of saving the tread wear when not required.
     
  9. Davmac

    Davmac Active Member

    They have drum brakes inside the inner wheel, the extra wheels to allow extra weight to be carried.
     
  10. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Last edited: Jun 29, 2016
  11. Davmac

    Davmac Active Member

    Ha ! is that how you really hurt your shoulder fall of your horse? :p
    Your secret is safe on here;);)
     
  12. philthespark

    philthespark Active Member

    Hi Matey,how are you,did everything go ok?
     
  13. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    It didn't, see my,kiab takes a break thread.:(
     
  14. DIY, the double wheels on the backs of some Transits etc. are effectively bolted together, so are powered together and are braked together (whether disc or drum). Basically they are like very wide wheels to cope with the load.

    The 'twin axle' setup - the trailer you saw, for example, is usually avoided as long as possible 'cos if you imagine the vehicle going around a corner, the two sets of wheels will not be following the exact same path, so will be 'scrubbing' to some extent. Hence increased tyre wear. Hence keeping the second axle up when not required.
     
  15. diymostthings

    diymostthings Well-Known Member

    Thanks Phil - makes perfect sense.
     
  16. diymostthings

    diymostthings Well-Known Member

    Thanks Davmac- must be a hard job to change the brake linings of pads roadside without help. I guess those wheel are not light.

    diymosttthings
     
  17. diymostthings

    diymostthings Well-Known Member

    Thanks DA - so I suppose you could unbolt the outer wheel as a separate entity (e.g. to change a tyre). I guess you would need two spare wheels - one for the inside and one for the outside, as I assume they are not interchangeable.

    diymostthings
     
  18. Davmac

    Davmac Active Member

    If the vans fully loaded, your not going to want to jack it up at the roadside :eek: . Wheels can be made of alloy, making them lighter to handle, look a bit better, and assist with kerb weight. :)
     
  19. Ryluer

    Ryluer Well-Known Member

    Yes they are interchangeable. If your not loaded and one is flat you can continue the journey without changing.
     
  20. Ryluer

    Ryluer Well-Known Member

    The old ones were all hub brakes and I would think the new ones are the same.
     
    philthespark likes this.

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