Prebuy checklist?

ramps are preferred but if the frame is tapered just right, the rearmost cross-member is moved or notched and reinforced, the fifth wheel tails dip below the frame rails and the trailer rollers contact the fifth wheel tails while still on the frame then you can pick a mechanical neck if all is well.
By the way if one goes this route a minimum 1/4" plate strapping on the top flange to support the frame from the rollers is strongly suggested.

 

Thanks for the explanation. We've always used ramps but I can see where your way would work.
Gotta say though, it doesn't sound like there's much room for error.

 

ramps are pretty inexpensive insurance for a single truck operation. Even the spendy $3k cozad Bolton Ramps

 

Yeah, I don't think we'll go to non ramps. LOL...we're all old here and slow to change.

 

Lifting heavy loads it would seem as if the jump onto the fifth wheel would be brutal.

 

Just my humble two cents. I flatbedded for almost three years before I went to an rgn. I knew how to secure and throw chains. The first 90 days of pulling an rgn was similar to learning how to flatbed all over again.

Loading equipment I never ran before was fun. Then driving over a scale and finding out I was over weight and having to pull off six to eight chains to fix my weight problem was even more fun.

Loading in Galveston in 80 degree weather was nice. Then trying to fall asleep two nights later in Nebraska and with whatever moisture was in the tractor or pressure change who knows but a window blows out on the $350,000 piece of equipment while laying in the sleeper.

The glass is no big deal but the $40k in electronics sitting in the cab well those need to be protected. Jump out of my warm sleeper and protect the electronics but still not damaging the paint on the brand new equipment.

The height pole and level ground is your best friend. Anytime you move something on deck for weight you better check the height. There is many of “experienced” drivers who moved the boom to adjust for weight on the excavator they were hauling and didn’t realize they were no longer legal height.

RGN is the most rewarding trucking I have done. Absolutely, looking very far down the road to see if Swift was taking his break on the shoulder to give me time to move over. Not bottoming out on driveways and curbs and of course staying away from trees. Mean while following your permit knowing full well if your route the state gave you is wrong you will still be held responsible for any damage that results from their mistakes.

If it were me I would get a 48ft tandem axle RGN flip ready. Keep in mind aluminum slide outs weigh an additional 2,000lbs. Hydraulic is way more covienent but honestly the least important decision in the beginning.

Go get your butt kicked for a year. It’s nothing impossible but there is a learning curve. Good luck.

 

If you filed an insurance claim in the regard that broken glass how did that affect your renewal? Did your premium increase? did you have any problem with insurance denying the claim? The problem I can see while insurance will be reviewing the claim broker most likely will hold the payment.

 

Same here I don't have ramps and can hook my mechanical just fine. If I slide my fifth wheel all the way back the tips drop below the end of the slider and down to the top of the frame rails. I just run the rollers up the frame and then right up the tips onto the fifth wheel.