Lift Axles: Are They Worth the Money?

Fuel economy gain and less tire wear.
Well worth the money unless you forget to lower it crossing a scale with heavy load.

 

^ true, also consider the savings when you lift it going thru a toll

 

I'll lift my rear with a chain running toll roads. There isn't much of a fuel economy gain (unlike the 1mpg gain some see going to single screw drives with a lift), but there is a reduction in tire wear, especially while backing, which gets a bit too easy with only one axle on the ground. I haven't found it worth another $3000 investment into my $10000 trailer, though. I'd definitely spec one new, though.

 

Wouldn't it be better to put the lift on the rear axle to reduce your turning radius?

 

An axle lift is around 70 lbs. Hendrickson ubl system. He pronlem is with standard aant suspension on a flat you don't get enough lift, so they want an aanl suspension. That adds another 250 lbs or so.

I like my lift axle, like others have said there's lots to gain.

 

I've sat in an office waiting on a part while someone on the phone had the poor parts guy dig up the weights on every lift axle they could order. 300-500lbs heavier than stock was the norm if you want to keep your current load rating, but some ran 600-800lbs heavier.