Witzco challenger trailers

Discussion in 'Heavy Haul Trucking Forum' started by spyder7723, Feb 9, 2020.

  1. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    How's the quality of these trailers? I delivered frame rails to their facility in Sarasota and was definately not impressed with their factory. They had a few trailers out front with banners on them and they certainly have a low price tag.
     
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  3. beastr123

    beastr123 Road Train Member

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    In my opinion:
    They are a rather heavy contractor grade trailer that is a good (but not great) price for something that will sit 15 days or more per month.
    They are too heavy and awkward as an over the road trailer.
     
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  4. REO6205

    REO6205 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    We tried one but we were disappointed. The quality of the welding was really poor. It just didn't hold together as well as the Murray and the Cozad.
    We do a lot of off road work so they might do better in an easier environment.
    Like my partner said..."If we have to have a welder follow that ####ing piece of #### everywhere it goes we'll never make a dime on it".
    We sold it at auction, an equipment rental outfit from Sacramento bought it, and last I heard they sold it to somebody else.
     
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  5. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    Ya the guys I saw on the line sure didn't look like capable welders to me.
     
  6. OLDSKOOLERnWV

    OLDSKOOLERnWV Captain Redbeard

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    @Superhauler and I had this conversation a few months ago, when he was at my place. I own a Witzco Challenger 35 ton. Main reason I bought it was because I knew the trailer, and the price was right. I was using this trailer to deliver generators to csx in NJ after Hurricane Sandy. Been all over the east coast with it when I worked for EZ. Wish it had Budd wheels but, I’ll just be glad for the air ride it has lol. Never had any problems with it, but it’s not really a coast to coast trailer in my opinion.....
     
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  7. kptnt2016

    kptnt2016 Light Load Member

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    Geez...

    Based on this post I hope no one was hurt. I wonder what manufacturing standards equipment trailers, or semi trailers in general are held to.
     
  8. m16ty

    m16ty Road Train Member

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    I've seen two broken in half.

    They will do ok for local hauling, if you don't load it too heavy.
     
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  9. Soap stone

    Soap stone Bobtail Member

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    They don’t use T1 steel. They are a low quality trailer.
     
  10. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    Who does use t1? When I was in school we had to learn about different common types of steel and what they are commonly used for. I know im old and my memory isn't what it used to be, but I don't remember frame rails being one of the common uses for t1. And it's also possible that t1 wasnt used for frame rails in the 90s, but is today.
     
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  11. beastr123

    beastr123 Road Train Member

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    I have experience with different Canadian trailer manufacturers from the late 70's on and Arnies (Winnipeg) built all their lowbeds with t1, Scona did too. When I went to using and hauling specialized Aspen trailers they were all t1.
    The outfit I was leased to bought t1 rails from Aspen and built 45' outside rail flats that were only 800lbs heavier than our 45' Wilson combos. They were also stronger than the Wilsons.
     
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