Moving Up

Been running a wedge since 2008 and just brought home a Cottrell 5309 it is a 2000 and been sitting most of its life. It is rust free and straight I pulled the hydro controls today to replace all the seals in them and will have them back on tomorrow. I am looking for any info on this model trailer any common problems or loading issues. I plan on doing some 6-7 car loads first also wondering what are the chances of loading 9 cars without being over on the rears? Thanks in advance I have been reading this forum for years but never posted.

 

It has Rockwell hubs. Thanks for all your replies too. This weekend I replaced the rear rail and made some skids back there as well. Got all the controls rebuilt and removed 7 years of dirt and brush that grew up through it. I am going to go up to the hydro shop tomorrow and have them set the pto pressure and give all the lines and cylinders a good check and repair anything needed. I am thinking end of the week I will be able to hit the road again.

 

Got the hydraulic system working yesterday I ended up getting it all done for under 600 bucks seeing there was a car hauler at the scrapyard with all the parts. Funny thing was the same company Custom wanted over 3k to install it all new that is. Also got an extra pump and some lines. Today I am going to replace 2 lines that are leaking and make some extras. The tunnels that all the lines run through on the inner frame rails are shot they were full of wet dirt from sitting and some of the factory electric plugs were bad too. I will try to post some pictures later.

 

First paying loads update

Well first I would like to say if your thinking of buying a dually and a wedge get a class 8 truck and a wedge. After pulling my trailer with 1 tons for so long then going to a class 8 truck i can say I wish I did it sooner. Not knocking the 1 ton as it is still going to earn it's keep on the fleet but no more long runs with it I am keeping it local to stage cars at my lot.

I am going to run a 4 car behind the freight liner once I put my Volvo on the road for the 9 car trailer. I gotta say I feel a lot safer in the semi the stopping fully loaded is amazing compared to the 1 ton. The pulling power is awesome I don't have to worry if I am going to slip the auto anymore. It is a big change and it is taking some getting use to slower off the line much wider corners to name a few. I have cut a couple short and had to ease over a curb or two, it is a learning experience for sure. I worked with a few new dealers this past week and one has a 8 car load for me Monday. I felt like I was treated with more respect and not just another guy with a Dually and trailer or some fly by night here today gone tomorrow kinda company.

I will say this though I built a very good customer base with the 1 ton and it has bought the 2 trucks and the 5309. I also have a very strict maintenance program that I have stuck to and it has never left me stranded. The 1 ton is a Duramax and just thinking of the money I have put into in is now making me sick.

So the first load I did was 5 smaller cars and 2 SUV it was tricky loading compared to the wedge trailer but took my time and really thought it once they were all staged next to the trailer. I also had to take into consideration having 3 drops and not wanting to do any backtracking to get it all done. I gotta say I've grow a new respect for you guys as there is tons more work,responsibility,and thought into each load. When I was leaving town the other day I had my Buick on the trailer and met a older gentlemen at the coffee shop and he gave me some good advice too. I backed my car on all the way up on the top deck. I came out of the coffee shop eating a sandwich and Bud the old man says to me son can i ask you why you did not flip all your flippers back to the stored position? Before I could answer him he told me when he was in the business and had the same trailer he learned the expensive way and crushed a roof with the flippers that goes between the top decks being lazy and not putting them back to the stored position. I started asking him some questions and told him my situation and he went and did a complete walk through with me and I really learned a lot from him that day. My 10 min coffee stop turned into a 4 hour schooling and some good conversation with a guy that had to retire due to his health.

So Speedloader you asked me about the hubs it has Rockwell sealed hubs there is no sight glass and a giant plastic nut/cover on them. Is there any service that can be done on these? I have been checking them every time I stop and have noticed all but one are pretty cool to the touch the other is noticeably warmer and know nothing about these kind of hubs. Some of the tires are worn on the outer edge more than others too would I need a alignment or could it be from a previous owner doing tons of u turns. Any one recommend a shop that does align these trailers? One other thing for you guys with self contained trailers Do you just turn the pump on like you would the PTO and let it rum until your done? Or is there some sort of micro switches attached to your levers that when u pull or push the lever it kicks the pump on? I wanted to eventually have it both PTO or self contained.I also stopped by a local larger outfit and they were converting a couple stingers to straps using the existing hardware and i gotta say that is my next project. They cut out the deck above the ratchet weld in a round bar to smooth the edges then another round bar to the ratchet to hook the strap under. then at the end where the chain bolts they put a hook so you can still chain if needed. I plan on doing the same 1 deck at a time soon.

Sorry about the long ### post and thanks in advance for your replies.