Double frame to single frame

I have a truck that I'm going to put new frame rails on. Originally it was a double frame dump truck.

I understand that a lot of the newer trucks are coming out with a heavy single frame instead of a double frame.

I was wondering if anyone knows if the strength is similar and what the difference in weight would be.

I could replace it with a double frame but if a single frame is strong enough it might be easier just to put one frame on. And here in the Northeast we have so much road salt and corrosion between the frame rails maybe it would be smarter to go to a single frame.

It is a Peterbilt (357 I believe) if that makes any difference.

 

I actually put that truck aside to work over my tractor.

But if you are interested in doing that I would call PG Adams and ask them about the strength of a heavy single frame. A lot of newer dump trucks now come from the factory with a heavy single frame, but they would be the people to talk to about that. That was going to be my next step. If you send them the frame rails they can drill everything out for you just like the factory.

If your frame rails are not that bad or you want to try to have them last longer, my suggestion is to go to Home Depot and buy some heavy duty caulk and caulk where those double frames meet everywhere front to back top and bottom. That will seal out air and water from getting in there and it should stop things from getting worse. If I put double rails back on there I will definitely do that because that will keep all the bad stuff out of there as far as I'm concerned.

Also make sure you don't have any open holes in the frame that the weather can get in there and cause a problem with that either.