“Tandem axles.” “Tandem axles” means any two or more consecutive axles that have centers more than 40 inches but not more than 96 inches apart and

(1) Are individually attached to or articulated from, or both, a common attachment to the vehicle; or

(2) Have a connecting mechanism designed to equalize the load between axles. [1983 c.338 §94; 1985 c.172 §3]