All Aluminum Step Deck

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by RJ Lopez, Feb 29, 2016.

  1. RJ Lopez

    RJ Lopez Bobtail Member

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    I just saw another Transcrap going N.on ME I-95 with big coil ,it was allmost draging it's belly.it look like a fairly new 53' Benson.
    Is not the 1st i've seen like that
    So for now im not considering it
    Also ,i dont think the alluminum gooseneck transition some builders are using is bulletproof, i heard of a few cracking in that area
     
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  3. cnsper

    cnsper Road Train Member

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    Yep, our chaparral had that issue on the outside corners. Not the frame itself but inside the lower corner there is a plate in there for stability of the outside rail. That plate cracks quite often.

    We have a 3 axle transcraft steel 53' and we can put 57k on there with no problems. The biggest issue we have with that trailer is that it only has an 8' upper deck. That trailer eats mudflaps for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.
     
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  4. rank

    rank Road Train Member

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    8 ft upper and 45 lower you say? Hmm I need that exact config. What's the KP setback on that?
     
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  5. cnsper

    cnsper Road Train Member

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    I will have to get back to you on that. It is either an 18 or 24 though. I pulled that trailer when I was with a previous employer (we borrowed it) and that dang thing was so close that even with the 5th wheel slid all the way back, after I had new drives put on the truck the tires would rub the neck when turning. Just barely but they did shine up the neck. It is an old trailer all steel with a wood deck. I will try to get some info for you when I get back to the yard tomorrow.
     
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  6. fortycalglock

    fortycalglock Road Train Member

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    Just bought two 235/75 17.5's the other day. I drove from Charlotte to Atlanta trying to find the Continentals I run. Big props to Atlanta Commercial Tire as they had many in stock and I was in and out in an hour. They are the only one rated for 75mph like larger tires. I wouldn't have had to replace these if the valve extension hadn't let all the air out of the inner tire. It got chewed up before I caught it. I have a 2014 53' Doonan Platinum. 34 1/2" at its tallest point on the lower deck.
     
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  7. cnsper

    cnsper Road Train Member

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    @rank Ok so I took a look at that trailer for you. It has a 14" kingpin setting. The trailer is a Transcraft DTL 3000. Believe me when I say that we LOAD this thing.
     
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  8. rank

    rank Road Train Member

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    You must be awfully light on the steers. A real treat in the snow I bet.
     
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  9. cnsper

    cnsper Road Train Member

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    It's not used all that much because of that but our steers start out over 12k loaded because the shortest wheel base is 255 and most are like mind, 265 or longer. We don't weigh every load if any but I would say the steers would run around 9k plus.
     
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  10. jpracer1

    jpracer1 Medium Load Member

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    if your main haul is not needing the extra height I would go with 22.5,or if your stuck on the 17.5s I would lookmat doonan or wilson
     
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  11. jpracer1

    jpracer1 Medium Load Member

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    if I was to go back to flat bed I would go with a combo low step with a 3 axle set up,17.5s and lift axle option on the 2nd and 3rd axle
     
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