What kind of set-up is this? - Truckers' Trucking Forum | Message Board

Ducks · **^ Top** #1 07.18.2007

I just returned from a trip north and saw this rig at a rest stop on I-81/S near the NY/PA border. I think it's kinda fun to see what type of freight trucks haul so I tend to nose around the truck side of the stops while I stretch my legs... and this set-up was new to me. I took three pictures -- wanted to get more/better photos, but the stop was busy and I didn't want to be pesty nor did I want to get in the way as trucks were in-and-out fairly steadily.

It appears that the tank being hauled isn't on a flatbed, but is supported on both ends by wheeled rigging that spans the inner diameter of the tank rim. I was also surprised at the low clearance between the road surface and the tank. It certainly wasn't sitting very high.

I'm curious -- does anyone here know what he's hauling... or has anyone hauled anything with a similar set-up?

MACK E-6 · **^ Top** #2 07.18.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducks

It appears that the tank being hauled isn't on a flatbed...

Obviously that isn't a flatbed in the standard sense. That's a form of what is commonly called a lowboy.

Quote:

...but is supported on both ends by wheeled rigging that spans the inner diameter of the tank rim.

The tractor is hooked to what is called a "jeep", which has a fifth wheel of its own on it. The main part of the trailer is hooked to that. This provides 4 axles for the front of the trailer to bear on instead of simply the tandem drive.

He could hook the trailer directly to the tractor but axle weights then become an issue.

Sometimes you will see another set of axles attacged to the back of the trailer as well. This is called a "stinger"

Quote:

I was also surprised at the low clearance between the road surface and the tank. It certainly wasn't sitting very high.

That's a necesssary evil for height requirements, and bottoming out tends to become a problem as well.

Quote:

I'm curious -- does anyone here know what he's hauling... or has anyone hauled anything with a similar set-up?

It appears to be a prefabricated silo or something.

ziggystyles · **^ Top** #3 07.19.2007

I live in Southern Wyoming and Im right on the 287 Bypass that goes through Rawlins. I see these things daily coming from Casper. Im not sure where they are going, but I figure they are for some type of storage. With all the oil stuff going on in the area...it could be for oil or water storage...who knows. These guys usually have two escorts as well...one in front and back. Man...its gotta suck driving those things...maybe they get paid differently or something because they take forever getting from point a to point b. At least here in the mountains.

Ducks · **^ Top** #4 07.19.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MACK E-6

Obviously that isn't a flatbed in the standard sense. That's a form of what is commonly called a lowboy.

You mean there's a trailer under there, too? From the angles I was looking, it appeared to have no real trailer -- just the two end rigs attached to the "silo"... which left me wondering what supported the length of the thing.

Dang, I wish I had been more gutsy and gotten a closer look. Oh... and Ziggy? You are right -- there were two escort vehicles parked a few car-lengths behind it.

Thanks, Mack! I was hoping one of our flatbedders would recognize this... and I appreciate your explanations!

Brickman · **^ Top** #5 07.19.2007

That "silo" or "tank" is the bottom section of a windmill tower. I've never hauled them, but have been around where they were being hauled. Also notice the tarped personnel door on the side. I read an article on those towers and some one has to climb that tower (ladder on the inside) at least once every 5 yrs to service the electric generator at the top.

That two section trailer joins back up for transport to the next big tower section haul.

Brickman · **^ Top** #6 07.19.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducks

You mean there's a trailer under there, too? From the angles I was looking, it appeared to have no real trailer -- just the two end rigs attached to the "silo"... which left me wondering what supported the length of the thing. I appreciate your explanations!

No trailer under the load. You are correct that its two sections, and the tower section itself is that strong to support itself during transport. Wait until you've seen the blades going down the road. 160' to 175' long.

Brickman · **^ Top** #7 07.19.2007

Lots of pics here, some relevant, some not.

http://images.google.com/images?um=1&tab=wi&hl=en&q=windmill%20power%20gene ration

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3D1%26hl%3Den

I've been by this windmill farm in Palms Springs CA right along I 10

Truckers

Ducks · **^ Top** #8 07.19.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brickman

That "silo" or "tank" is the bottom section of a windmill tower. I've never hauled them, but have been around where they were being hauled. Also notice the tarped personnel door on the side. I read an article on those towers and some one has to climb that tower (ladder on the inside) at least once every 5 yrs to service the electric generator at the top.

That two section trailer joins back up for transport to the next big tower section haul.

That is so neat, Brickman! Thanks for the info. Last year I took the following picture while traveling south on the Pennsylvania Turnpike somewhere above the Lehigh Valley. (Don't ask me where -- my sense of distance isn't very good. Direction? Generally yes. Distance, no. LOL)

Maybe that tower was close to its new "home"!

wallbanger · **^ Top** #9 07.20.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MACK E-6

Obviously that isn't a flatbed in the standard sense. That's a form of what is commonly called a lowboy.

Sometimes you will see another set of axles attacged to the back of the trailer as well. This is called a "stinger"

You're right mack, and if you look (in the first pic) it has a 2 axle stinger.

I have a pic of a windtower nacelle (the covering for the generator and guts of the machine) in the pictures section, they look like a strange room going down the road (also on a lowboy).

truckerjaw · **^ Top** #10 07.20.2007

A little off topic but I have seen all the pieces and the finished product dose any one know where I could find info or even video online showing how they put those things together?

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