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Aluminum VS Steel - Spread VS Tandem?

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by CaptainKirk, Jan 14, 2015.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Jan 14, 2015 #1
    CaptainKirk

    CaptainKirk Light Load Member

    91
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    Dec 8, 2012
    Virginia
    0
    A broker buddy of mine is ready to put me into flatbed work and I'm getting ready to buy my trailer. I need to stay under 20K if possible, so I know that pushes me out of the aluminum market. I'm just wondering if any of you experienced drivers (especially o/o's) can tell me how my bottom line or potential loads will be affected by using a heavier trailer. Let's say there's a 10K price difference between a 45' steel and a 48' aluminum. How much does it really matter? More than likely I'm going to be in a day cab, so I'll have a little extra weight capacity there.

    Also, it looks like spread axles are a little more expensive than tandems. I know that having the spread axle keeps me from having to worry so much about trailer weight, but I've heard the front axle tires wear out a lot faster and you're going to scrub more curbs with the rear axle too. Besides the extra weight capacity on the spread, are there any other major benefits or drawbacks?

    Thanks.
     
    CaptainKirk, Jan 14, 2015
    CaptainKirk, Jan 14, 2015
    #1
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  3. Jan 14, 2015 #2
    brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    Aug 8, 2009
    Meadville, PA
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    Steel typically pays by the hundred weight, so the more weight you can haul the more money you get paid. That's why carriers who specialize in aluminum and steel hauling try to lighten the equipment as much as possible.
     
    brsims, Jan 14, 2015
    brsims, Jan 14, 2015
    #2
  4. Jan 14, 2015 #3
    CaptainKirk

    CaptainKirk Light Load Member

    91
    20
    Dec 8, 2012
    Virginia
    0
    Thanks. I understand the more I can haul the more I have the potential to make, I'm just wondering how much I should be concerned with getting a steel trailer vs an aluminum one. How much heaver is a steel trailer?
     
    CaptainKirk, Jan 14, 2015
    CaptainKirk, Jan 14, 2015
    #3
  5. Jan 14, 2015 #4
    Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

    7,162
    6,734
    Sep 25, 2007
    Rosamond, SoCal
    0
    All depends on the trailers. call the trailer yards they give you the weights, no guessing.
     
    Powder Joints, Jan 14, 2015
    Powder Joints, Jan 14, 2015
    #4
  7. Jan 14, 2015 #5
    comallard

    comallard Light Load Member

    90
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    Feb 19, 2013
    Lagrange, GA
    0
    I have a steel trailer and i have never missed out on a load because of weight.
     
    comallard, Jan 14, 2015
    comallard, Jan 14, 2015
    #5
  8. Jan 14, 2015 #6
    CaptainKirk

    CaptainKirk Light Load Member

    91
    20
    Dec 8, 2012
    Virginia
    0
    But have you ever been in a situation where you could have mode a few more bucks on a load if you had been able to take on another few tons?
     
    CaptainKirk, Jan 14, 2015
    CaptainKirk, Jan 14, 2015
    #6
  9. Jan 14, 2015 #7
    comallard

    comallard Light Load Member

    90
    28
    Feb 19, 2013
    Lagrange, GA
    0
    Not that i am aware of.
     
    comallard, Jan 14, 2015
    comallard, Jan 14, 2015
    #7
  10. Jan 14, 2015 #8
    201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Apr 16, 2014
    high plains colorado
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    I haven't pulled many flatbeds, but know many drivers that did, and they all had aluminum with a spread axle. If you can get one with a liftable axle, that helps. Also as far as weight goes, in Wis. I think you can go 40K on the trailer axles if they are 4 ft. apart. Pretty hard to be over on the wagon with that setup. When I hauled RR containers, I checked out an aluminum spread axle chassis, but the revenue wasn't there.
     
    201, Jan 14, 2015
    201, Jan 14, 2015
    #8
  11. Jan 14, 2015 #9
    mtoo

    mtoo Road Train Member

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    Jan 15, 2011
    Retired on bended knee
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    In normal flatbed freight, the only downfall for aluminum trailer is the arch.
     
    mtoo, Jan 14, 2015
    mtoo, Jan 14, 2015
    #9
  12. Jan 14, 2015 #10
    mpd240

    mpd240 Road Train Member

    1,540
    3,617
    Sep 17, 2011
    Minnesota
    0
    53 foot step with combination steel frame aluminum decking. Rear axle about 4 feet forward of the back of the trailer. It also should also slide forward. Makes it pretty much a tandom axle. Got a brand new one hook up to truck right now. Grate Dane make. Weighted the trailer last week at 12500. HS one storage box. I wish I had ramps for equiptment.
     
    mpd240, Jan 14, 2015
    mpd240, Jan 14, 2015
    #10
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