step deck setup

No 2 trailers will be the same. Different weight for different lengths and different manufacturers.

That said... I have a 2012 Fontaine Infinity 53' hybrid step deck. Steal frame, aluminum deck. 43' lower deck, 10' upper deck. Tare weight is 11,400lbs. I have 2 side boxes full of tools and gear. I also have the Universal Ramp kit installed. That includes 4 ramps, 2 bridge stands and 4 load leveler braces. Its a spread axle with the rear axle slides. I have annual permits for states with 41' king pin laws' so I almost never slide them together. The trailer itself is rated to carry up to 80k lbs. I believe the king pin is set back at 18". I have not measured it.. but its right there close to the front.

As for how much weight.. well my tractor is a 2005 Columbia, 72" sleeper with 260" wheel base, 150 gallon tanks, CAT C15, 10 spd, aluminum headache rack and usually keep 10 7/16 chains hung on it with 6 large snap binders hung. I also keep my coil braces and short dunnage for coils on my headache rack as well. All said and done... full of fuel, gear and num nums, I scale 34,460 lbs. Fuel of fuel I can scale a 45,600 lb load. Cutting back on fuel I can scale up to 46,800 lbs. I almost never do this as most loads dont pay enough to haul over 45k so I dont take those loads unless the rare occation that one pops up thats paying good and no one else snatched it before my dispatch could speed dial their number.

I'm not surs what a single axle with spread can legally scale. I think Bayou said he could scale 70k with his. I gross out at 80k. I did permit a load that scaled 88k once. I didnt like that at all. I'm not set up to haul heavy like that.

In your situation the lighter you can set yourself up.. the more you can carry.

In your situation with a single axle tractor I would stick with a 48' trailer. Unless you have plans to step up to tandem drives.. I dont think the added weight of a 53' would be of benefit to you.

I personally love the 53' as it allows me the versatility to add partials when ever the opportunity presents itself. I'm not sure how that would work out with a single axle because I typically throw what ever it is on the upper deck, unless I know before I get my main load, then I can try to set thing up to balance out the weight.

Hurst:smt111

 

Combo or aluminum 48 will be anywhere from 9,000 to 11,000. I can max out all my axles easily......12K + 34k + 40K.

Single axle truck is just a crazy idea IMO. You're only going to be able to net ~30,000. I think you should get a tandem truck..... or get a trailer with a 121" spread and a 24 ft wheel base....OK that last part was a joke...kind of.

 

Buy a Doonan,,, best warranty of all steps,,, get steel,,,apitong deck... 18 sliding 4 inch winches and 2 storage boxes. 2 amber flashing lights on rear for O/S loads. 10ft spread with a dump valve on the rear axle, ABS on both axles ,also get an air guage so you can estimate your axle weight, for get aluminum. no good for hauling equipment,,

I ran a step for 4 years seldom was my gross over 70,000#. steel trailers have stronger side rails and spools to secure loads..

 

Single axle tractor with a pusher axle is an interesting setup. You could have 16 plys on the pusher and run 14,500lbs. max on it. You wont need to go over that with a spread trailer and a 14,600lbs front axle. Now to figure out what you can legally gross, you need 679" of bridge for 4 axles for 80,000lbs. You would then need to get 20,000lbs. on your steer. That would be a real far forward fifth wheel.