Better trailer: 53, 50, or 48ft

The company I work for hauls all kinds of stuff and any weight you can imagine in the box, from 8,200 lbs (the lightest load I have hauled for them) all the way up to 51,000 lbs (relax, that was up here in Canada, and it was legal). We use 53 ft tandem vans, and I find this can be a real godsend, especially when the shipper has loaded you heavy. Just tell him "Load it like a 48" and you'll have room to move your axles and scale out legal.

Typically we will haul empty beer, soup, or other cans coming back into Canada from the US. If you show up at one of those places with a 48, they will send you away. A 53 will be loaded all the way to the doors.

If I had my own authority, I would probably spec a 53 foot tri axle reefer with a lift on the front axle. You can still haul dry with a reefer, but you can't haul reefer with a dry box. Likewise, you can put a 48 foot load in a 53 foot trailer, but you can't put a 53 foot load in a 48. You can gross 80,000 with a tri axle, but you can't gross 105,000 with a tandem. It would just make more sense... get the trailer that would allow you to haul just about ANYTHING.

 

Front of a truck driving atlas has a list.

 

Also you'll find the length limits for the various States there too. For example here in Calif. unless its a STAA approved road you are limited to 65' from the nose of the truck to the end of the trailer. A truck with a nose and a 53' trailer runs 70 - 75' and yes you will get a ticket if you are caught.

 

I like the looks of 48' spreads, but i think 53 spreads look weird. 50 spread is just right