Before you call a service truck, you might consider (if they are approved by your trucking company) trying Mike's tips...

First, if the trailer is older, there's a good chance that the track that the tandems slide on is rusted.

In the past, we have used WD-40 or Penetrating Blaster to help loosen seemingly stuck trailer axles.

(Vicki thinks that the scent of the Penetrating Blaster lingers longer, but that if it is used exclusively outside, it isn't so bad.)

Both of these lubricants are very good at what they are advertised to do.

Second, Mike has tried (from within the tractor) to rock the trailer to loosen the axles.

Sometimes this works, but if the tandems are really stuck, he ramps up the unsticking procedure...

In this photo, professional driver Mike Simons looks at the placement of a chock in front of the tires of a trailer backed in front of a dock.

(Note: The trailer stand shown in the foreground is not used to help move axles, but rather to stabilize the nose of a trailer backed into a dock so that it won't tip when a forklift is driven up into it when loading or unloading the product.)

If the lubricant and rocking of the trailer don't work to free the trailer axles, Mike will place a pair of chocks either behind or in front of the tires (depending on where the axles are) to help give enough traction to loosen the axles.

We've never seen chocks for sale at a truck stop, but you can buy them online.

Using chocks always worked for Mike (even if they initially slid) up until the day that he picked up a heavy bottled water load on an old trailer where the tandems were badly rusted. That meant ramping up yet again...

If you need to use a curb to adjust your trailer axles, make sure that you use one that is high enough to keep you from rolling over the top of it.

Perhaps you can't see it really well, but the curb in this picture is not much more than a foot away from a steep embankment!

Money saving tip: While we do not guarantee that using any or all of these tips will solve a specific problem with a specific trailer, we have found that following them in the order listed can help avert calling a service truck to move trailer axles.

If you need to enlist the help of another driver in making adjustments, please don't let your pride stand in your way.

Always observe safety when working around or under your trailer. Never ever attempt to move a set of axles when someone is under the trailer, as this can lead to a fatal accident.

There are some trailers, frankly, that need to be retired. If you encounter one, don't hesitate to let your company know. Perhaps it just needs more maintenance than you can supply with the tools and equipment you have at your disposal.

If you as a professional truck driver are skilled in saving money, please share your knowledge to help other truckers in the worldwide trucking community. You can even earn money in so doing.