question about flatbeds and steel coils

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Logan76, Jul 3, 2010.

  1. Logan76

    Logan76 Crusty In Training

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    I was just sitting around thinking, I know a few guys who run dedicated steel coil runs, how come they don't use tri-axle straight trucks? I was wondering if it would be more profitable to have a tri-axle with a small sleeper and a 20 foot alum. flatbed or to run a tractor trailer with a 48ft flatbed from an owner op's point of view. Just me sitting in the truck bored one day lol.
     
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  3. notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

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    You ever see a 50000 + lbs coil on a 20 foot trailer?:biggrin_2556:
     
  4. Logan76

    Logan76 Crusty In Training

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    heh, I could put 23 ton on my flatbed tri-axle and still be legal beagle. that's why I was just curious. maybe 25 ton would be alot to ask, but you could load 24.5 in the dumps we run and still be on the border line.
     
  5. notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

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    Yeah, but is that 25 tons in a 4x4 spot?
     
  6. Logan76

    Logan76 Crusty In Training

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    nope its not, It was just my silly head wondering around while waiting to get loaded one day.
     
  7. Jfaulk99

    Jfaulk99 Road Train Member

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    Not really much of an advantage. It seems like a good idea but when you weigh the disadvantages they usually out weigh the advantages. Around here (ohio) in order to gross 80k, straight trucks (dump trucks) have to have 4 lifts for a total of 7 axles and usually weigh over 30k. So the only advantage would be manuverability which isn't really much better since the truck ends up being pretty long. There is a company here that has 7 axle 379's with small sleepers, alum flatbeds they use to haul die's. Even with only 4 axles your empty weight isn't much better than you can get with a normal tractor/trailer and your severely limited to what you can haul. If a company wants to specialize in hauling coils only they usually buy a coil trailer.
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    The concentrated loads wouldn't be an issue, Mac's 80k 48' aluminum flat (2 axle) is rated for 80,000 in 4' so it wouldn't be hard to spec a straight truck to do the same.

    I always thought if I owned a multi-axle dump it would be neat to build it so you could take the dump bed off and slide a flat on for extra cash when things were slow. Wouldn't be all that difficult.
     
    johnday Thanks this.
  8. johnday

    johnday Road Train Member

    I've seen those somewhere. It was empty though. I wondered what kind of crazy setup that was.:biggrin_2559:
     
  9. dieseldon

    dieseldon Light Load Member

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    Some companys that do alot of coils use coil hauling trailers like this.
    Most of the companys i have worked for just have you use coil racks 4x4's on a flatbed.
    [​IMG]
     
    johnday Thanks this.
  10. Logan76

    Logan76 Crusty In Training

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    Wow, here in PA our tri-axles usually gross 73-75k. usually you can get 23 ton on there playing by the books.
     
  11. Les2

    Les2 Road Train Member

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    PA doesn't make much sense. IIRC when I was pulling a bucket with lift axles and i was loaded I had to have them on the ground. It they was in the air I was only allowed 75 or 78k gross. Its been awhile so I can't remember.
     
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