48' or 53' Trailer Van, which is better?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by topideas, Mar 17, 2009.

  1. topideas

    topideas Bobtail Member

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    Nov 28, 2007
    Baltimore, Maryland
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    I'm looking to purchase a trailer van and I need the advise of experts here as to which one is better in terms of length. Is there any advantage to buying a 53' as opposed to a 48'? Most of the ones that I see on the road are 53' I believe, but I'm thinking shorter is better. Are there any loads out there that might specifically require a 53 footer? Any other advantage or disadvantage of one or the other? Thanks for your help.
     
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  3. broncrider

    broncrider Road Train Member

    you'll have more options with a 53, but this topic has been discussed a few times

    do alittle digging and you'll find the answer you're looking for.....its all here, just requires alittle work
     
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  4. BoostedTeg

    BoostedTeg Road Train Member

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    I would recomend you buy a 53 reefer that way you could haul frozen as well as dry freight. Yeah they cost more but more profitable.
     
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  5. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    It depends on the product you are hauling . Some products will reach max weight with far less space than a 53' gives . If you are buying a trailer do you plan on having your own authority ? If you try working off load boards you will find few loads for a 48' . If you want a shorter trailer go with a hopper bottom , end dump , or flatbed although flatbed work is very slow . Shorter trailers have their advantages . When running hopper bottom and tanker there were many times when I could find parking spaces in truckstops a 53' trailer couldn't back into .
     
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  6. Jacks Girl

    Jacks Girl Light Load Member

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    Mar 14, 2009
    Eastern Kentucky
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    In my honest and humble opinion if you truly have under a year exp you don't need your own truck or trailer. You need to get your feet wet in the trucking Industry first before jumping in to O/O.

    In this time and day when freight is so bad if you don't really know what you're doing. I just can't see you making it. May be you just made a mistake and did't put the right amount of EXP that you have.


    I been an O/O for over 12 years I would never buy a 48 foot. I can't count the people that ask for a 53 no matter what they are putting on there.

    PLEASE think long and hard about this before jumping in to the frying pan of whats going out there right now.

    Jacks Girl
     
  7. topideas

    topideas Bobtail Member

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    Nov 28, 2007
    Baltimore, Maryland
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    This is the type of analysis I was looking for, thank you. Yes, my authority should be active before the end of this week.
     
  8. topideas

    topideas Bobtail Member

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    Nov 28, 2007
    Baltimore, Maryland
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    Thanks for the advise, but it might be a little too late. Not only have I already bought a truck (All paid for btw), but I'm having my own authority.

    Now this is a timely advise, and the type that I can use. Considering what I'm hearing on this forum, I think I will be getting a 53 footer.
     
  9. Jacks Girl

    Jacks Girl Light Load Member

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    Mar 14, 2009
    Eastern Kentucky
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    You may be making a mistake ... LOL!!! but if you can go into this without going into debt then I won't have one complaint about you even if you never drove a day in your life.

    The problem is people get more debt than they can handle. Be careful when you see the money coming in save back 8 percent of what you make to pay Uncle Sam.

    This is what Keven says on Trucking Business and Beyond and he did my taxes for 5 years before he became famous so he does know what he's talking about.

    Good luck and yes get a 53.

    Hubby has been on the road for 20 years and 12 years O/O and he said he wouldn't look at nothing but a 53.

    People that haul paper towels want to haul as much as they can and stuff that light they can put on a lot of freight they'd love 60 ft trailers if they had them.


    You will limit yourself if you get a 48 foot, if you buy a 53 foot trailer and you get a 48 foot load you can still load it. if you get a 48 foot trailer and they want a 53 foot load your stuck.

    LOL!!

    buy the 53 and i would go with a good used trailer.
     
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  10. wildbill123

    wildbill123 Heavy Load Member

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    I just got home from a thirty day road trip with my brother in law. I went out with him in order to do some research and to find out for myself if I could make any money in trucking. In my opinion if you want to keep your truck moving you will have to do one of two things.
    Have equipment that will haul 45,000 lbs. or have a 53ft. trailer. It all comes down to availability. There are loads available if you can provide one of the two factors listed.
    My brother in law has a 48ft. refer trailer and we sat for four days out of the thirty we spent on the road. He was offered loads weighing 45,000 lbs or loads that required a 53 footer and couldn't take them, for he Max's out at 43,000.
    This was only a thirty day snapshot, but those were the two things I noticed.
     
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  11. topideas

    topideas Bobtail Member

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    Nov 28, 2007
    Baltimore, Maryland
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    what about width? should I go with a 102" under the assumption that bigger is better, or is there something to be said for a 96"? Also do you prefer a roll-up door or a swing door?
     
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