Tandem axle assembly with different hypoid offsets

A tandem drive axle assembly, comprising:

• a forward axle assembly including
• a forward ring gear disposed about a first axis;
• and,
• a forward pinion gear in mesh with said forward ring gear and disposed about a second axis, said forward pinion gear rotating in response to an inter-axle differential;
• a rear axle assembly including
• a rear ring gear disposed about a third axis;
• and,
• a rear pinion gear in mesh with said rear ring gear and disposed about a fourth axis, said rear pinion gear rotating in response to said inter-axle differential;
• wherein said first axis is offset from said second axis by a first predetermined distance and said third axis is offset from said fourth axis by a second predetermined distance, said second predetermined distance greater than zero, but less than said first predetermined distance.

A tandem drive axle assembly, comprising:

• a forward axle assembly including
• a forward ring gear;
• and,
• a forward pinion gear in mesh with said forward ring gear, said forward pinion gear rotating in response to an inter-axle differential;
• a rear axle assembly including
• a rear ring gear;
• and,
• a rear pinion gear in mesh with said rear ring gear, said rear pinion gear rotating in response to said inter-axle differential;
• an intermediate drive shaft assembly extending between said forward axle assembly and said rear axle assembly, said drive shaft assembly including
• an output yoke extending from said forward axle assembly and disposed about a first axis of rotation;
• and
• an input yoke extending from said rear axle assembly and disposed about a second axis of rotation, said first axis of rotation parallel to said second axis of rotation
• wherein said forward pinion gear is offset from said forward ring gear by a first predetermined distance and said rear pinion gear is offset from said rear ring gear by a second predetermined distance, said second predetermined distance greater than zero, but less than said first predetermined distance.