Could Use Advice On Truck Purchase With Less Than Ideal Wheelbase For Flatbedding

I'm looking at purchasing a Kenworth T600 (setback is probably 46") with an 86" studio sleeper (with air flap extensions and sleeper muffler) and a wheelbase of 240". Am I asking for trouble? I've been flatbedding for many years, so I should probably already know the answer. Does anybody think if I removed the sleeper flaps, put the muffler underneath the truck, put the air hoses/electrical cord underneath the truck/trailer and didn't install a headache rack, would there be sufficient room for flatbedding? I can still back out of this purchase as the deal isn't locked in yet.

My current ride has a 275" wheelbase (non-setback 379exhd w/63" sleeper) and a sliding 5th wheel. This setup works well for flatbedding as I can easily overhang freight 4' over the front of the trailer with the 5th-wheel slid back (probably 6' if I removed the headache rack). It is nice to have room between the headache rack and the front of the trailer for storing tarps on the catwalk, having more frame space for step-boxes, etc. In some cases, it would be great to have a 300" wheelbase for pulling a flat.

I really don't care too much about doing over-length/over-width freight anymore now that I have my own authority. I find it really difficult to follow every rule of every state to the letter on over-dimensional freight (and still be profitable). It seems like almost every over-dimensional load I've ever hauled, there's always something during the coarse of the trip that could have been a problem (having all of the necessary and correct permits, staying on the prescribed route, going through cities at the correct time, finishing the trip in time before dusk, traveling at the correct speed and in the correct lane, extra weight on trailer spread due to over-hang, weekends, holidays, etc., etc.). I don't have the luxury of a staffed dispatch office to oversee that every rule/detail is given full attention. Granted, for somebody on a regular haul, one can become familiar with the rules and route, so that's different. I'm talking about wild-cat over-dimensional loads as they become available through the random states I'm trucking in. I've read on here, some flatbedders with 53' trailers in combination with a long wheelbase trucks can actually haul over-length freight with out permits. I do a lot of back roads so a 53' trailer is out of the question for me.



I always somehow seem to end up at some of the worst places/jobsites one could ever imagine having to finagle in to. Also, I do Manhattan from time to time which almost always gives me a challenge. I've always been able to get around fine with my 275" Pete; however, I imagine it would be easier with a 240" setback. Does anybody think the closeness of a flatbed trailer to the back of the sleeper could be a fuel mileage benefit (I mainly haul freight 6' high or lower)? Ideally, I realize a 270" wheelbase or longer truck would probably work much better with the 86" studio; however, it's just hard to find in the used truck market unless I chose to go with a W900. Wouldn't the W900 be a lot heavier than a T600?

 

critters,

Do you know what the wheelbase length and sleeper size is? How about the trailer pin depth - any idea?

Also, I forgot to mention, I think my trailer has a 30" pin setting.

Thanks

 

Thanks for the replies.

critters - I could put side boxes on my trailer as it's the only trailer I ever pull. It'll just make my rig that much heavier though.

379exhd - how does your rig axle out with the 5th wheel all the way back? I bet it rides good.

 

I appreciate the replies.

Son - Do you have your 5th-wheel set all the way back? How about your fuel tanks - are they front mounted 150's (filler cap by step)? Do you find your steer tires wearing out prematurely (less than 100,000 miles)? I'm not so sure I could ever get used to a "grassburner". I certainly wouldn't miss tripping over the trailer lines.

Gentlemanfarmer - how does the load balance out and ride with the 5th-wheel all the way back? Have you ever checked if running like that puts more weight on the rear drive axle (I realize they are supposed to equalize)?

With the heavy setback front axle of the KW (or a Volvo), I guess there would never be a need to slide the 5th-wheel forward (especially with pulling a spread axle trailer). The steering axle of my 379 Pete with a big Cat only scales out at approximately 10,000lbs with the 5th-wheel centered between the drive axles.