Step Deck operator need your advice

Buddy of mine who works step calls it what it is. At the worst - he gets told that it is a no go. Usually it's no prob for him

 

If you're light close it. Tell them it's 51 worst they can do is say no

 

i haven't hauled many loads that were over 48 feet. occasionally a 53 or less comes along. but when calling on the load. they'll usually ask you on length if it's over 48.

most of the loads i've hauled on the east have been light. and ran through tennesse which is a closed axle state. on the west they are heavy and unless going into cali. you can run spread.

on the east i only had to worry about new york and everything else east. w. virginia. tennessee, south carolina, florida, wisconsin, minnesota, and michigan. according to atlas. connecticut is 37 feet form front axle.

i have a 53 and compiled a list from the atlas of closed axle states.

my understanding with canada is 20k on spread compared to 40k in america. close the axles and you can haul 34k like america allows.

 

I only open my spread when my gauge reads close to 34k. I always keep it closed when I'm empty or when I know I'm picking up a light load.

I tell everyone I have a 53' even though it's just 51'6"

 

Nope. You can run a spread from Ontario, I think all the way east. Western Canada from BC thru Manitoba, close it up...and Canadian weights allow 17,000kgs ~ 37,500lbs on tandems.
Quebec has lower weight limits during the spring thaw, but I don't go there enough to know it off the top of my head.

 

When I used to run a 51' I would ask, "why do you need a 53', would a 51' work". The majority of time they just need 40' on the bottom. I think some brokers didn't realize there was anything other than a 53' or 48' out there. Every once in a while they actually mandated a 53' because they wanted 43' on the bottom and didn't want anything to hang over. Most of the time if the broker didn't know for sure they'd call their customer and ask if the 51' was okay. Sometimes nothing but a 53' will do.

 

Don't ask. Just show up especially if the shipper is close

 

tell em it's a 51', but that you carry a load shrinker for 53' loads.

 

I run my 51' step as a spread and closed. When the load goes past the tandems, I will open the spread. It rides much smoother as a spread. With them closed, it tends to bounce a lot. I also run it open when I have a container on, as it seems to to help the stability in the winds.

ALWAYS open the spread when you loading from a dock (forklifts, machinery and so on) so that you don't bend the frame/rails.