mercer transportation

Lol yes you want me to ask him for his number

 

Never knew abs trucks deliver to homes lol

 

ABF?

 

Yeah stupid auto correct lol

 

You are really only going to find 35T mechanical necks are readily available in the used market. If you look for one without the re-inforcement for the third axle flip, those with be less expensive. Also, you may or may not need outriggers or slide outs (one or the other - no trailer has both)

Couple things you should be checking - especially if it is an XL Specialized- is the transition where main beams and the wheel area meet. This is a high stress point and the area where cracks appear and trailers break.

Second, the trailer should be lifted and the bottom rails of the beams inspected. Due to the lack of ground clearance and likely overloading of the trailers the bottom rails will grind down and become another point of failure.

Third, you will need to have a set of RGN ramps made for your truck to pickup and set down the trailer without damaging your truck. Figure $2-3k as a likely spend by a decent shop.

Most 35T deck heights will be 18" loaded - maybe a little lower if you have "double donuts" (some trailers have 2 ride heights on the neck) and a 29' well.

I would think you find a decent trailer in $30-40k range.

Trail King, Fontaine, XL even Talbert are pretty interchangeable if you are not going to haul any concentrated weight.

Just remember if you get a stretch - the concentrated weight rating goes way down - even closed. Likely for 35T in 10--12' to 25T or less. Yes guys still load them but that is why there are a lot of broken ones.

Hope this helps - remember oversize/overweight is a disease and a double drop is a gateway trailer.....

 

Thanks, that's some great info. And I didn't even think about the ramps but I should have. Your price range fits with what I've been seeing on line. But I haven't physically started searching yet (but if I'm going to do this I need to before summer season).

Cracks are the biggest thing I'm worried about. Your inspection tips are much needed. I have to admit that I've gotten as far as I've gotten with semi-blind luck, a fear of used equipment and did I mention luck?

Thanks for the nudge, I may ask a question or two in the near future.

 

Cj, have you considered renting one for a few months to get your feet wet? Ya rental rates are high, but I'd hate to drop 35k on a trailer only to find the loads disappear in 3 months.

 

I'm finally on my way to Louisville for orientation Monday!
Thanks to everyone on here for answering all my questions. I have my jug for the Kool-aid, so let the journey begin.

 

That's awesome! Looks like I'm going the week prior to MATS. Or I guess it's the week of MATS.

 

Hey Dez! We look forward to hearing about it. We hope to follow you in May. We submitted my husband's application yesterday