Aluminum VS Steel - Spread VS Tandem?

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by CaptainKirk, Jan 14, 2015.

  1. SHC

    SHC Spoiled Rotten Brat O/O

    8,484
    7,044
    Feb 26, 2011
    Westville, IN
    0
    I've ran both spread and tandem setup. I actually prefe the tandem setup. It is easier to maneuver and less wear n tear on tires. You can easily put 45k on the deck and be legal
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. CaptainKirk

    CaptainKirk Light Load Member

    91
    20
    Dec 8, 2012
    Virginia
    0
    Thanks SHC. That's what I was thinking with the trailer axle & tire wear. I drove vans for a while and don't mind sliding.

    War Eagle!
     
  4. russtrucker

    russtrucker Road Train Member

    1,767
    337
    Mar 27, 2012
    Central PA
    0
    Remember it. Spread means more weight capacity and tandem: easier to maneuver and less tire wear. Aluminum wheels last longer than steel. It's lighter and no rust problems.
     
  5. mpd240

    mpd240 Road Train Member

    1,540
    3,617
    Sep 17, 2011
    Minnesota
    0
    Two week old trailer. Four loads on it. First dent in rub rail tonight at truck stop. Got backed into by another flat bed.
     
  6. mpd240

    mpd240 Road Train Member

    1,540
    3,617
    Sep 17, 2011
    Minnesota
    0
    Two week old trailer. Four loads on it. First dent in rub rail tonight at truck stop. Got backed into by another flat bed.
     
  7. skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

    8,737
    12,179
    Jul 17, 2011
    The Village, Portmeirion
    0
    Your in a day cab, doing local? I would go for a tandem setup for all the turning you will be doing, same if it was short runs.
     
  8. CoronadoDriver

    CoronadoDriver Light Load Member

    182
    30
    Nov 11, 2014
    South Carolina
    0
    i had a 2005 fontaine 48"x102 useful and it just depends on how you take care of the trailers mines lasted for well over 1.5m miles but now its been retired
     
  9. mc8541ss

    mc8541ss Road Train Member

    1,462
    1,993
    Sep 22, 2007
    Lower Alabama
    0
    For the steel mills we run out of you just need to be able to scale 48000. Most of the loads are 42-47k. But occasionally you will get one heavier. A lot of times we drop and the trailers are pre loaded and that is why they want us to be able to get 48. If you are just getting it from a broker most times they will know how much it weighs. With a day cab you shouldn't have any problems either way and I would definitely get the tandems instead of the spread for local work.
     
  10. cnsper

    cnsper Road Train Member

    5,869
    27,419
    Feb 28, 2014
    0
    get a sliding spread and you can run them either open or closed so you got a tandem or spread whenever needed
     
  11. heavyhaulerss

    heavyhaulerss Road Train Member

    3,723
    2,038
    Dec 23, 2009
    AL/TN BORDER
    0
    most drivers I see are going to aluminum. quality not just any type though. I never considered just what I planned on doing at the time, no matter the promises. I would buy equipment that I could use if the current situation goes bad. nothing in my trucking career (so far) last long. have to be able to adapt. just for example when considering a step, which would have worked great at one time for me. I took a load way out of my usual gig. turned out to be about 80% of my gross that 1 year, but only cause I had a flat. it was rear dock load/unload. a spread would not allow me to get that semi dedicated all interstate run with a decent rate. a good quality spread with a dump valve may be something to consider.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.