Ok, dumb question...fixed spread...Cali freight...bridge rule

In Cali

The 53 is legal as long as the back axle is slid to the front axle. Closed axle. PITA when loading at a lot of places. And most don't have a scale. If you're seeing a 53 spread. I have no idea how they're rolling around that way.

If you notice Melton flats. Their spread is positioned more forward to meet Cali KP. I think it's Melton anyways.
I would think they'd have a hard time with gross weight with that shorter bridge.

48's are legal with a spread. For most of the country.
IIRC. There's 11 or 13 states that require 53's to have closed axles. I don't have that list anymore of closed axle states.

53's aren't worth having unless you know for sure you're going to be using that extra 5 feet quite often. Most loads fit just fine on 48.

One thing you'll also want are 35 foot straps. For those contains that sit on the top deck but are too long. 30 isn't long enough to strap the back of the container which will be hanging off the rear. Supported by dunnage.

 

A trailer over 48' is measured from the kingpin to the center of the rear axle. You'll have to be 40' or under. That means sliding the rear axle up or having a trailer with the kingpin further back.

 

In California, and few other states, you will need to meet bridge laws. 48ft trailers are exempted from this.
Could be a flat, step or even a box, as long as the max length is 48ft and it’s a 10’ spread.

The 53’s should have one of two basic options.
1 a California fixed spread. The axles will be set at the king pin to last axle center to meet bridge law. These will have at least 8 feet of overhang from the last axle center to the end of the trailer. Have seen more, the king pin set has a lot to do with that.

2 slide or adjustable axles. Usually have a long spread position, usually the front axle is about 39ft KP to center. The rear axle can be moved up to make a California legal tandem. Max load weight will drop to 34k on the tandem. Most people will say something like axels open or closed, sometimes use spread for open.

The 53’s you see running California in the open position, or a long spread, They are not running within the bridge law requirement. They can be cited for that. Does that stop any one from doing that? Well you have seen it. Does rolling across a scale get you stopped for it? Sometimes. When the scale is busy, lots of trucks backed up, chances are, no. Then if the rear axle is a lift, empty or light(under 20k) the axle could be up and be legal.

 

A 48 foot spread axle flatbed is more than adequate for much of the USA. Ive run one for a time and it's way better than dealing with a 53 anyway.

 

Just depends on the freight you haul, it would be nice to be able to buy one trailer and be able to bridge maximun loads in all 49 states and canada. But it will never happen. lol

 

that's true.

I hate to pick on California so much, they don't get to constantly wag the National Dog with their state laws that somehow get adopted by the rest of the USA> Ugh....

I have been in cali too much. It's fine by me that I don't worry about them anymore. I wish them well, no hard feelings. But sheesh.

 

First, it’s not a bridge law it’s a king pin to rear axle law (KPRA). Bridge laws deal with weight. But as mentioned, to be legal in CA any trailer over 48ft has to meet their KPRA law be it either by sliding the rear axle forward or having the spread assembly fixed forward enough to meet the requirement.

 

I ran out there for almost two years with a 52ft spread cattle trailer before I got measured. And I was out there at least once, sometimes twice a week. Just depends on how much you’re willing to risk it.

 

Before you fully commit to the 53, consider what you really want to do with it and why.
I think if you look at what is on the deck for most of these, your looking at a lot of wasted space. True that some freight, it is advantageous for a 53.
When I was running a 53 step, the last 6 to 8 feet were empty 97 percent of the time. Primarily due to weight, and load balance.