Better trailer: 53, 50, or 48ft

Retracted.

 

The easy answser is a 53' is better, generaly speaking. I have a 48' reefer and get by fine and can even get the same 28 skids in it, just all sideways. Many of the loads that brokers and shippers think they need a 53 for, will often fit inside a 48 provided the skids are turned.

I like the look of a 48 best, but a 50 1/2 would be my first choice for my next trailer.

Personaly, I like the 'Load 'em like a rail car' method, and at times that extra 5 more feet would be sweet. The above speaks of reefers

If you're going with a dry box, get a 53, no question

 

I agree with Winchester Magnum. If you are going with a dry van get a 53, no question.

 

Well i liked 45' flatbeds (most of the time i only had maybe 10 foot used, 1 maybe 2 coils) and 48' vans (most of the time that is all i needed), i dont know though, but i liked the smaller trls.

 

Most common out there next to the 48.

 

48'. I've only ever had 2 or 3 loads that required all 53'feet of a trailer, and those loads cubed out way before they would have scaled out. Those 53' only give you an extra 5 feet to hit crap with. Like my truck.

 

I would rather pull a 45' or 48' trailer as well. Some shippers in the dry van world will automatically ask for a 53' van. In order to give myself the best chance of finding a dry van load I would not want anything other than a 53'

 

Trailer manufacturers will build what the buyer specs. Even into 1/2 foot

You could even spec a 54'