Mehrachsanhänger

Mehrachsanhänger, often written as Mehrachsanhänger, is a road freight trailer with more than two axles. It is designed to carry heavy or bulky loads by distributing the weight over several axles to meet legal axle-load limits and improve stability, braking, and ride quality. The term is used in German-speaking contexts to describe multi-axle trailer configurations, which can be part of a semi-trailer or a full trailer arrangement.

Typical constructions include three- or more-axle trailers, sometimes with steering or lift (tag) axles. Steering axles may be used to reduce tire wear and improve maneuverability, especially in tight quarters, while lift axles can be raised when the load is light or when fuel efficiency is a priority. Suspension systems vary from leaf springs to air suspension, and braking systems are equipped with modern ABS or electronic braking controls.

The primary advantage of a Mehrachsanhänger is the ability to carry higher gross vehicle weights by spreading the load across more axles, improving stability and braking performance. This makes it suitable for heavy and oversized shipments, such as construction machinery, industrial equipment, or wind turbine components. However, more axles increase vehicle length, weight, and maintenance requirements, and operation may require special permits, route planning, and compliance with national and regional axle-load regulations.

Usage is common among freight fleets in Europe and other regions with regulated heavy-vehicle transport. The design and permitted configurations vary by country, reflecting local traffic laws and permit regimes.