Simple questions?

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by cool7035, Dec 30, 2017.

  1. cool7035

    cool7035 Light Load Member

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    Why so many 53' flatbeds? I see them every where, loaded with no more fright than on a 48. With so much over hang and doing u'ys in the truck stop. Is there really an advantage or is it a fad? I can almost see a step 53 with adj axle spacing, but not seeing it for flats. McElroy and some other CO's got a lot of them and load them and have room for extra freight.
     
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  3. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    A lot of flatbed stuff isn't always heavy, and I knew someone that hauled big styrofoam panels, and he needed that extra 5 feet. Like any 53, better to have it and not need it, than t'other way 'round.
     
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  4. cool7035

    cool7035 Light Load Member

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    Rusk, Texas
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    True.
     
  5. Pedigreed Bulldog

    Pedigreed Bulldog Road Train Member

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    'Cept once you get past 48' in trailer length, you have to start paying attention to KPRA laws and realize you may not be legal everywhere you'd like to run.
     
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  6. REO6205

    REO6205 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Most of what we haul is heavy, lumber, poles, railroad ties, cast cement products, that kind of thing.
    Our trailers are 44's and 48's. A 53 would just mean empty deck space most of the time.
    With the 48's on lumber you can put 3 16' units down each side, one high or two high depending on weight, it makes for a squared off load and it's a lot easier for the driver to tarp.
    I can see where a 53 might be the way to go for other kinds of freight, though.
     
  7. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    It's never a fad. Never for looks, It's not about that. Are you so shallow?

    It's always good to have plenty of deck and expensive when you don't have enough.

    Ive had a whole flatbed dedicated to just two pallets of wood and one strap over both. The teasing I got was epic. They could have hired a pickup truck for that little bit. But no, it needed to go by truck.

    What I like to see is a properly secured tarped flat load whatever it might be. When they look perfect, it's literally like a present on that deck.
     
  8. nightgunner

    nightgunner Road Train Member

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    That's exactly why I run my 48'. I have lost out on maybe 2-3 loads, but I don't worry about being legal.
     
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  9. cool7035

    cool7035 Light Load Member

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    Rusk, Texas
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    [QUOTE="x1Heavy, post: 6784932, member: Are you so shallow?

    Nope, maybe fad wasn't the word I needed. Trend is a better word. Most all the companies I see pulling 53's aren't pulling full loads ever. Not in my lanes. It was just a question.
     
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  10. johndeere4020

    johndeere4020 Road Train Member

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    Don't pay any attention to him
     
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