48 ft Spread axle???

I pulled one years ago with an air switch to lift up the rear axle I believe. Actually it dumped the air out of the air bags. It was awesome.
I had to make sure to stay away from the drives though with the load...

 

@KO1927 here's a thread you might be interested in

 

I am pulling one and for the most part the only loads I get turned away from are the really light loads. Gotta have a 53 for the volume.

 

A 53' will allow you at least 2 more pallets. A 48' spread will allow you more weight in some states. The spread axle trailers don't follow as well in turns or pivot as fast when backing into tight spots. The spreads do ride much nicer in my opinion

 

I don't know a thing about reefers. But a spread axle reefer has the bad ### cool factor

 

Its kind a funny you know i always ran 53" trailers and the amount of times there was nothing in the back of that extra 5 " was amazing, don't know why shippers have an issue with 48" i guess the extra space is just there if you need it.

 

I have had a few shippers flat refuse to load a 48 even though there was only 18 boards going in. It took me a while but I think I may have figured out way...many warehouses train their loaders to load ONE way and that way only. So in order for that to work they need to have trailers that are all alike. Some places hate to deviate from the company loading line in the sand. As far as a 48 spread not following as well in turns is bs. When you dump the air out of the back axle you turn as if you are pulling a 38 foot trailer. As far as backing in, one can get into some tight places those with a 53 can not. Just gotta use your head and figure out your dump valves.

 

Playing with dump valves while backing is a art form

 

Hauled a lot of train wheels / axles for CSX at one time. 48/102 flat spread axle on air. Dump valve on tractor for loading wheels, dump valve on trailer for unloading wheels or tight turns. Dumping the rear trailer axle does indeed help backing into certain areas, but can be overdone.