Pneumatic Dry Bulk Trailer - New vs. Old

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by hookemx, Oct 6, 2011.

  1. hookemx

    hookemx Bobtail Member

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    Jun 20, 2011
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    Folks,

    I'm looking to haul frac sand down in Texas and have the option of buying new and used trailers.

    The used trailers were all manufactured before 1980, but they've been power-washed, sand blasted and seem to be in really good condition. On top of that, they're $20K to $30K cheaper. What's the disadvantage with going with an older trailer, especially if they are 1/2 the price?
     
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  3. Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

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    Oct 11, 2010
    Borispol, Ukraine
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    newer are lighter and you can haul more w/o overload. Better brakes. ABS/EBS available. Tubeless tires. New axes with maintanans free bearings.

    People say old were more durable. Thiker walls.And price difference is huge!
     
  4. hookemx

    hookemx Bobtail Member

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    Jun 20, 2011
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    Pablo,

    If you're saving $15K or more, it seems like you could replace the breaks, tires and bearings and still come out way ahead.
     
    SHC Thanks this.
  5. Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

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    the problem of old school bulkers, that you cant know how were they used, many of them were abused. I saw some old bulkers with crakced and bent axes. But in 80s-90s no sufisticated computer drsign was used and when designer was not sure how tought this thing he used to put twice thiker metal. Now engeneers and designers know well how thick must be walls, rails, axes and they add 50% for stress and get less weight and more payload. But IMO, new trailers will not be rebuilt and reused 20-30 years later.

    My friend in West Ukraine use to upgrade old trailers installing EBS, adding wheel speed sensors on axes were not designed for ABS. He says - all of thiker steel and aluminium.

    New trailers are good till new. Parts are more expencive, especially if you get trailer with disk brakes.
     
  6. SHC

    SHC Spoiled Rotten Brat O/O

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    Feb 26, 2011
    Westville, IN
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    What has been updated on the OLD trailers? I am guessing that they have already switched out to bud wheels, and I'm sure the brakes have been changed over at some point. New trailers are lighter (mine weigh in at 10,900 for ones w/o self loader on rear, and 12,600 for the one's with the self loader) All my tanks are J&L and have held up quite well so far and are 1998 models
     
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