Who uses 48' Spread Axles?

There are some that won't but most brokers and load boards will specify if it has to be a 53. Up until last year I pulled a 48' railer for swinging meat and I can only recall twice being turned away on a cold load but it happened often on dry loads.

 

I see a lot of Perdue trucks with spreads but I think they may be longer than 48 because the spread is set fwd.

 

Your right......I have never drove one. I suppose it's like anything else once you get used to it.

Now my curiosity is peaked, when I get home I am going to hook that trailer and take it for a drive.........

 

I never found a disadvantage

 

The nice thing about a 53 is more room for LTL freight.

 

I wont lie it takes a little getting use to but that should be obvious. If you have an electric dump for the rear axle on the trailer on a switch in your truck that makes it so much easier to back and take tight turns. It also saves tire wear and wear and tear on your truck over not having a dump. Once you figure out where to put your loads you will seldomly be paying for scale tickets. I cant remember the last time I scaled a load. Just put the majority of the weight at the center and back and your good.

 

I'm a fan of my 48 spread, and I don't even have a dump valve on it. Backing was the biggest thing to get used to, need a little more space.

It rides MUCH better, and considering I am usually hauling eggs it makes a world of difference with loads shifting and damage.

 

I love mine, its pretty sweet not having to worry about weights all the time. Just load and go. A dump valve is a must though. I always wanted to put a lift axle on mine for the light loads

 

The cab controled rear axle dump valve feature really shines when you're trying to back in at a grocery wharehouse around that 290 inch wheelbase extended hood 379/W900 with a 53 ft who's already backed in. Backing a spread axle reefer with the rear axle dumped is like backing up a 36 ft trailer.

But of course a cab controled dump is illegal (if operable over 10 mph), but hey this is 2012 and EVERYTHING ELSE in this country is already illegal, so what they hey install them dumps and save on tire scrub, and take advantage in ease of backing into those craphole places that were designed for 6 wheelers.

A 48 ft spread is almost idiot proof to load. You'd have to try dang awefull hard to overload the trailer tandems.

For those who seem worried about buying a 48, only to fret not getting that load that needs a 53, stop it. IMO, 90% of perishable food loads, be it meat, cheese, produce, etc, will fit in a 48. If you really feel the need to obtain that obscure load of occasional asswipe or tampons, then get a 53.

Once you buy a spread, you will never go back to a closed tandem.