Air ride vs Spring on 53ft dry van

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Batoexpress, Jan 8, 2013.

  1. rogueunh

    rogueunh Road Train Member

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    Ever hauled a load of eggs on a spring ride trailer? LOL. It can be ugly compared to air ride!
     
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  3. ladywrongway03

    ladywrongway03 Heavy Load Member

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    drove for a company that had a spring load and a shipper refused to load it
     
  4. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Especially at some frost-heave locations and bridge section approaches. I've seen piggy-back forklifts (for turf delivery) bounce and brake the pins and skid across the road following jumping up onto a bad bridge apron (and that particular turf hauler used spring flatbeds)
     
  5. rogueunh

    rogueunh Road Train Member

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    Believe me, when it comes to hauling certain products, the difference with air ride is night and day. Throw in an air ride spread axle and that is even better.
     
  6. Batoexpress

    Batoexpress Bobtail Member

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    Its a combo question....I believe I need skirts going into CommieCA, but xtra only has skirts on spring trailers. I do like air ride, but they don't have skirts available for air ride.
     
  7. tinytim

    tinytim Road Train Member

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    From the link in post 2 you should be able to get a one time exemption.
     
  8. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    I run a dedicated route pulling one of three trailers each night. Two are air ride, one is spring. While driving down the road I'd be hard pressed to notice which is the spring ride one without having to think if I looked at the air bags on my pre-trip or not. This could be because the loads are max 20k pounds, or even the small tires on the drop deck vans I pull, but unless the shipper requires it, I would not make an issue of having to use the spring trailer.

    -Steven
     
  9. jbatmick

    jbatmick Road Train Member

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    The situation the original poster describes, 30,000 pounds, pulling the trailer for a short while, he will not notice much difference.
     
  10. Tonythetruckerdude

    Tonythetruckerdude Crusty Deer Slayer

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    Air ride vs springs ...sure you get a better ride...But it boggles my mind....how did we ever haul anything across the country before air ride, air conditioning, power steering...all the comforts of home, oh and I almost forgot, anybody remember the LINES of pay phones at the fuel stops must of been at least 20 or more of em on the walls ...whew man I feel old.......
     
    MNdriver Thanks this.
  11. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    Theres no comparing from days of yesteryear. As far as air ride trailers, well there was a lot more freight damage, More sweating, the power steering helps at slow speed.
    In our powder world I prefer air ride plus it has the advantage of being able to easily hook up pressure gauges for loading.
     
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