wheel base

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by bonesause, Jun 20, 2013.

  1. bonesause

    bonesause Bobtail Member

    20
    6
    Sep 7, 2012
    Tucson az
    0
    whats the max wheel base truck you can consider for pulling a 53 foot trailer
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Saddletramp1200

    Saddletramp1200 Road Train Member

    2,111
    2,836
    Sep 4, 2011
    Houston Texas,USA
    0
    I guess what you want. Where are your areas? I - 10 is long and straight. City driving is different. Need more info.
     
  4. bonesause

    bonesause Bobtail Member

    20
    6
    Sep 7, 2012
    Tucson az
    0
    Thanks for the shout, in a word both, interstate stability, with a Philly on the blind backing capability.
     
  5. Flightline

    Flightline Road Train Member

    2,343
    1,162
    Oct 1, 2011
    Almost There
    0
    Over 245" wheel base, you can not go into Canada without oversize permit and not at all if over 280" wheelbase.

    Some states you're overall lenght restriction is 75' some 77' if pulling a trailer longer than 48'. So with a 53' trailer it depends on where your fifthwheel is but under normal conditions, you need to be approx. under 260" wheel base for these states. A few of these states are Florida, Maryland,west Virgina, and Indiana. I've heard there is half a dozen states with these restrictions. Indiana has not enforced this in years, but Florida will nail you quick.
    I sold my 53' step and got a 48' after Florida teaching me this.
    I've heard you can get a yearly permit for each individual state but for several states that seems costly and very inconveint.
    I do not miss my 53' stepdeck.
     
    trees Thanks this.
  6. bonesause

    bonesause Bobtail Member

    20
    6
    Sep 7, 2012
    Tucson az
    0
    Flightline thanks for the reply, I am in the market and want to keep a # in the back of my head for safety's sake, also I don't make a bone head decision on my equipment choice. I might even go with my own flatbed? now drop deck or conventional? anyway; I love your handle cause I am USAF 1980-2001
     
  7. bubbanbrenda

    bubbanbrenda Road Train Member

    1,388
    649
    Feb 27, 2011
    Middletown,Oh.
    0
    Depends on how much wrestling you want to do, I've done it in my 280" pete but it wasn't pretty. IMO moto-mirrors are a must for 1 man blind side backing anywhere.
     
  8. bonesause

    bonesause Bobtail Member

    20
    6
    Sep 7, 2012
    Tucson az
    0
    Amen and bless the guy who came up with the remote adjust mirrors. Soon we'll probably see camera setups?
     
  9. ‘Olhand

    ‘Olhand Cantankerous Crusty

    6,310
    14,425
    Jan 18, 2011
    0
    The 379 I have now is 280'--got two friends w/300--do Philly NYC ALL the time--gotta work little harde--BUT can be done--up to the individual--but I wouldn't recomend starting out that way.....
     
    snowblind Thanks this.
  10. Lone Ranger 13

    Lone Ranger 13 Road Train Member

    1,542
    1,297
    Sep 27, 2012
    Asheville, NC
    0
    I have a 379 pete with 270 inch wheel base. I have only pulled 53' trailers. I haven't had any major issues. Got to pay attention at intersections when turning. And u-turns are my trucks weak point. Usually got to back up once to complete a u-turn. My next truck might be 275-280 inch. Thats enough for me.
     
  11. Flightline

    Flightline Road Train Member

    2,343
    1,162
    Oct 1, 2011
    Almost There
    0
    Bigger is better
    Though if you go over 300", you should get a double frame.
    I don't have any problems getting around with my little 379 pete.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.