Thoughts on KW T660 with 86" Studio pulling a 53" step?

I have a 60" flat top WS with a C15 and pulling the Revilution 52 flat, full of 230gal fuel, and lots of chains n binders, I could scale 50k

Pulling a 51' Fontaine combo step and adding my APU (530#) I can scale 46k

 

If it really is just a tool.....

I think you should try to scale 50,000# and then buy whatever you like that can do that. Then I'd look for partials whenever possible.

I'm buying a 53' tridem next time round.

 

I personally have found it better to seperate yourself from all the others as much as possible. Find a niche and get good at it the best you can. Make a name for yourself with your customers. Anyone can haul lumber, bricks, and steel. The money is in what they can't or won't haul. Or what they are not able to haul like hazmat.

 

I bet there's under 1000 lbs difference between a combo and an all aluminum step deck. We have a 1995 48' Reitnouer and it weighs in the high 9,000's IIRC. Let's call it 9,700. We also have a 2008 Wilson Roadbrute 53' combo step and a 2012 version of the same trailer. They weigh 10,700 and they are 5 ft longer. All are 121" fixed spreads on 22.5 LP.

The only thing different between our Roadbrutes and out Reitnouer is the main beams. The Roadbrutes are steel but they are a high strength steel which means they are thin and light. The Reit is aluminum but it takes more aluminum to get the same strength so the weight savings isn't as much as some might think.

 

For me, the fact that an aluminum trailer won't rust is more attractive than the weight savings. I had a Road Brute, it was OK but it rusted badly and the bolted on aluminum floor let it flex like linguine.

 

I am running a 2001 Western Star with the 82" sleeper and with all the gear and a 48' spread axle step full of fuel I come in at around 32k total weight. The trailer is a Chaparral aluminum. I get anywhere from 6-7.5 mpg with an average of 6.5 with a C15 and a 13 speed.

 

I would seriously look at a Doonan, I had a Doonan Black Gold 48x102 10/38 step (all steel) that I was running behind a 2000 W900L 72" sleeper C16, 18 speed, 48,000 lb rears, lots of gear on board, I was 32,500 full fuel me and the dog on the truck.

The Doonan combo trailers are even lighter, the Chaparral all aluminum by Doonan is even lighter yet, id get a 50' trailer, 10 upper, 40' lower with can locks and ramps.

As well keep your eyes out for a deal on a used KW sleeper, gut the bed out of it and have your local KW body shop huck bolt it in, if you are smart about it you can get that bed installed for around 1200.00 all together. A necessary expenditure to get rid of the POS couch in my opinion. If you can find the lifting bunk even better.

Often times salvage yards will have damaged sleepers where the bed is still good. All you need is the framing for it.

If you want to shed some more weight, look at getting an aluminum 5th with the teflon plate, also running 19.5's on the step will shed a couple of hundred pounds.

 

When did WS start going to aluminum cabs and being light weight? I've seen a couple early 2000's that I like, but I know they have a rep for being heavy. I also know they ride like heaven, and treat people well for a long time. They're a beautiful rig, the sleeper bulge just means more space for me, right?

 

You can get a set back FA Star that will be as light as a KW and have more room inside. Detroit will get you the economy you are lookin' for.....and if you want save a 1,000lbs on weight......with an aluminum step....MAC is the only game in town for durability, longevity, and customer service. Make sure you bring your checkbook though. My 2 cents worth.

 

I'm surprised there is no love for the KW sofabed. I thought it was a great feature. No personal experience with it however.