OOSC, Part II, Item 1. Brake Systems - Lift Axle Steering Axles
| Entry Date | July 2, 2014 |
|---|---|
| Issue Number | 14-028-VEH |
| Name | Russ Christoferson |
| Agency | Motor Carrier Services |
| Address | 2701 ProspectHelena, MT, 59620United StatesMap It (opens in a new tab) |
| Phone | 406-431-1269 |
| [email protected] | |
| Committee | Vehicle Committee |
| Status | Closed |
| Summary of Issue | Under Front Steering Axle(s) Brakes in the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria (OOSC), pg 22 (b)(1) it talks about the dolly and front axle of a full trailer is considered a steering axle for the purposes of brakes and inoperative steering brakes. My question is whether or not a lift axle on a truck tractor is considered a steering axle or not. |
| Justification or Need | If a front axle of a full trailer is considered a steering axle, should the lift axle if front of the drive axles be considered a steer axle as well. The lift axle will steer and track when going around corners and is not locked in place like the drive axles would be. By this theory, it could be considered a steering axle under the brakes section of the OOSC. |
| Request for Action | Clarify in the OOSC pg 22 (b)(1) whether a lift axle that steers around corners is or isn't considered a steering axle. Be careful of the wording because there are many lift axles on trailers that are locked in place and do not steer. |