A movable subframe or slider for semi-trailers includes a pair of
spaced-apart, parallel and longitudinally extending main members. The
main members are interconnected by a pair of longitudinally spaced,
parallel and transversely extending horizontal cross members, a
horizontally-disposed cross-brace structure, and a pair of
longitudinally-spaced, parallel and vertically-disposed cross-brace
structures. One or more axle/suspension systems are suspended from
hangers which are mounted on and depend from the slider structure, and a
retractable pin mechanism enables selective positioning of the slider
relative to the trailer body for optimum load distribution and trailer
versatility during vehicle operation. The integral slider structure
supports the one or more axle/suspension systems, so that concentrated
loads imposed on the slider via the axle/suspension systems during
operation of the vehicle generally are dissipated throughout the entire
slider structure.