Who uses 48' Spread Axles?

I didn't get a good explanation as to why, but I now know 2 drivers that had to sell their 48 for a 53 due to certain places refusing to load a 48.....despite the fact it would fit on a 48!?

They weren't even really given good reasons, but they said they had no choice but to get a 53 because more and more places refuse to load a 48. Strange.

 

IMO that is because wharehouse managers and brokers alike think that is if a 53 is ordered, then everyones axx is covered.

On the flip side, there are a small percentage of perisable loads that do require a 53 like mushrooms, bell peppers, and light deserts loads, but they are the exceptiion.

BTW, I have gotten many 28 skid loads in my 48 ft reefer (14 pallets sideways doubled), but it took a forklift operator, broker, and trucker driver to be all on the same page.

If the shipping manager is a 23 year old grad, fresh outta college, who has been trained that all orders must be a 53, even though the freight will only take up 46 1/2 ft, this all goes out the window.

 

We haul alot of eggs east out of Ohio, my boss claims the spread is the best trailer for hauling eggs too! I guess it is, he has not broke an egg in 4+ years

 

Yeah we use 48s need had an issue a a shipper and we get dry freight sometimes going home. Right now I have fresh load of chicken that is 18 plts 39000 lbs i could put 6 more pallets on the back.

 

A good place in the Midwest to out is Wick's Truck & Trailer Sales. They have locations in Omaha, Sioux Falls, SD & Springfield, MO. they usually have a decent selection of good quality used spreads. You can also get screaming deals on blowout NEW trailers...some as old as 2009 but are brand new!! Good luck.

 

I watched a Perdue truck (spread) make a hard right U-turn in front of the docks the other day to get turned around at the end of the row. Guess he didn't have a dump, but I was CERTAIN he was going to pop the bead on the front tire as I could see it straining to the max, but somehow it didn't pop. I don't recall if it was a 48 or 53

 

Most of Purdue's are 53's I think since they have the axle's set forward.

 

When I first posted in this thread, I had never pulled a spread before, though there is one in my company that my boss pulls himself.......fast forward a couple of weeks.

I wondered what the big deal is (with the spread).....PLENTY!!

I started pulling it a week or so ago. I have to tell ya that my boss lost his trailer to me!! More room to move around in tight places, backing is a breeze, and the load distribution is good, even upwards of 44K.

A couple of you guys said here that if I used it i would like it....your wrong, I LOVE IT!

Thanx for the advice!

 

Perdue trailers are spread axles and I always see them for sale you might want to look into that. But they aren't 10-2 spreads