Who uses 48' Spread Axles?

I'd bet that 99% of 48 ft spread axle reefers are owned by O/O and small fleet owners. If you're looking to buy 10 of them you might look at the auctions. And it may take several auctions to find that many. Jim Hawk trailer sales usually has numerous spreads, but they a$k high dollar$. $eriou$ dollar$

 

My boss has a 5 truck operation, all refer's with (1) 48' spread. It's a '90 model, great shape, he gets offers on it all the time. He found it at a local shop near Upper Sandusky OH, to him it was like finding a hunk of gold. He's the only one who pulls it, none of our guys want to........I don't understand the big deal about it. Having to raise the forward axel for backing and tight turns, seems like a hassle but he swears buy it.

 

Pull a spread once and you'll understand. Learn how to back a spread and you'll swear up and down when you dont have it while your backing into that tight spot.

 

Are you sure your shippers will load 48's? There is a reason 48's are cheap

 

That's what my boss says......but you know those truckers and their tales

 

Thats part of the super trucker test. Tall tales 101

 

The only reason reefers went to 53' trailers was to be able to haul dry freight. Most reefer freight will ship but a lot of dry won't cause they load nose to tail.

 

You mean the rear axle, not the front. Its just an air dump and its like second nature once you get use to it. I love spreads now that I can back them easily.

 

I remember there being a couple places when I worked for Prime that would only load 53ft trailers and that was with lettuce IIRC