Big Loads - Post Photos Number 2

@Rontonio btw, Zoe is a cutie. I have 2. Both service dogs, and both pits. My 9 year old is a Cancer survivor and is starting to have hip problems. My 2 yr old is half retarded... lol

 

I dont cross NY or NJ state lines. I run everywhere else, but mostly CO to GA and south of OH/VA. I just follow the $.. lol
Yes 3 axle, 280wb, 525 x15, but I do have the 2050tq rating. Only thing that concerns me about real heavy weight is the 13spd, and 3.36 rears

 

that's awesome - dogs are good for the soul.

The 13 spd is not going to be awesome but you are not going to be soo heavy that it won’t work. The 3,36 rears are going to more of an issue for startability and for killing long grades. Good news is you can always re-gear it if you.

I run a heavy spec truck - but run more weight than some guys.

As a three axle truck I would probably not go more than a 45 ton trailer. If you plan on changing trucks to a 4 axle heavier spec truck then I would go to a 55 ton.

A 45 ton trailer is going to be lighter and more than likely come with a 29’ well - longer well will help you be more versatile. It will likely be a 2 axle with flip and a short 10/11 neck with a flip to load a 4 axle truck. The 14.6k steer won’t be an issue as the short neck won’t allow you to load the steer up much anyway with the flip neck down and with the flip up it may actually take weight off the steer. In most states (not Ohio or Wyoming or Michigan) you will be limited to 14/46/60 for 120k gross. If your empty weight is 48k then you can scale something like 70k. In NE and OK you will be limited to 114k - 65k.

so for a 55ton trailer with a quad - you will not be able to load far enough back in the well to load the quad and not overload you drives and steer. The trailer will be probably 2-3k heavier plus the weight of the flip 2k or so making your empty weight around 52k. The 13’ neck is designed to more weight forward onto your steer but you won’t have much capacity for loading it up. The well length will be 26’ for the most part and usually the deck height will be 2-3” more unless you buy a new low deck model.

this just my take on this and I would ask @superhauler and @johndeere4020 for their opinions as well. I don’t run north or east of Kentucky.

I am however very familiar with running out in the Southwest.

oh, if you go mechanical neck - have the best set ramps for your truck tabbed that you can. Gentle transition to your fifth wheel - it will save you headaches. Probably looking at $2-3k, maybe less. They are sometimes referred to as Cozad ramps

 

@Rontonio I wouldnt be opposed to regearing.
Or even swapping in a 18spd.
I've only been heavy once so far, 95k with a cargo loader coming east out of San Diego and she pulled really well. I was really surprised.
I'm also toying with the idea of a tag axle, but at what point would I be better off just buying a heavy spec truck? I have NO love for this studio sleeper.
Also my front axle is only a 13.2 axle but my tire ratings are 14,320..
That's what I was thinking, my best bet would be a triple with a lift, or tandem with a flip. I'm heavy already @37k with a 51.5' combo drop.

 

I will tell you that when I was stopped in OK and inspected the dot officer checked my door tag for factory ratings and the trailer plates for ratings. So, you may never run into an issue but then again ...

If you were going to re-gear and add an axle (probably double framing at the same time) and then swapping the slider in your fifth wheel - it would be better to get a factory 4 axle - in my opinion.

 

I resemble that remark!

 

See this is an area I wish the FMCSA would mandate. I stopped in GA and asked DOT about it, and they dont care about axle ratings, they go strictly by tire ratings.
What does the double framing do?

 

Uh, you were the former not the fluffy latter...

 

Adds strength for the increased loads transferred from the trailer plus resists the twisting better than single frame.

 

What are the benefits of the drop rail trailers?