53 Foot Trailers

I am a retired driver (1993) and for years have noticed the 53 footers. Well I drove the first 53 footers that came out in the late ‘70’s but they had 10 foot overhang both ends. What I see now all the overhang is off the trailer. Nuthin on the tractor. So how do you balance them up and get your axles legal? Have the weight laws changed? It was 34,000 each end at that time (California).

It was fun driving them. Other drivers were always on the 2-way asking about them. Right turns were really fun with that nose lobbing way across the oncoming traffic. Some people actually laid down across the front seat in their cars. Haven’t even been in a tractor since July 1 st ‘93.

 

Thanx – I sort of thought that’s how it was done.

We had 3 or 5 of those 53’ rigs, can’t remember exactly. Cabover tractors (thing of the past I guess) not much cab. They were custom built rigs was my understanding. KW. I was told they needed a computer to figure where to place the 5 th wheel. They’re primary purpose was for hauling wood shavings so volume was the main thing. Had long possum bellies. Probly wheelbase was also a restricting factor too to maneuver around in the mills. Only those tractors could pull them; the others wouldn’t fit. I just phoned and those rigs are sold to some outfit up in the woods or I’d go get a pic. Anyway they were the first.

I gypoed for 7 years and had 2 40’ sliding axle tractors. Delivered in San Francisco. You can bet those axles were slid forward. Took some doing.

Took 7 years to get far enough ahead to go broke.

 

I hope you’re kidding.
Just in case you’re not they’ve had em since WWII maybe a bit before. They were called main frame computers because they were so huge. Kept them in a separate building or part of one. Had special operators – you couldn’t use one yourself. If you submitted a program about noon they’d run it overnight, get your result next day. On paper. Big program - lottsa paper. Enough.