Flatbed Weight Questions

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by American-Trucker, Sep 13, 2011.

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  1. Sep 13, 2011 #1
    American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    I've looked around at allot of differant 53x102 All Aluminum Step Decks, 2 axle spread, 19.5 tires, all aluminum rims. Most are Around 10,500lbs

    Some FB'ers have told me your good as long as your MT weight is 32,000lbs or less....

    I've been told a W900L with a 72" sleeper, and a 48x102 Aluminum trailer is 32,000lbs.....

    My Current Truck Weighs 17,500 Bobtail and 32,000 with an MT Dry Van.



    So my questions:

    #1 How Much do Ramps weight?
    #2 How much does are your chains, binders, tarps,dunage, etc that you would need for a Step weight?
    #3 How much of an issue would 1,000-2,000lbs be? like if your MT weight was 33K or 34K



    why do i ask:

    The truck/trailer setup i want will weight in at 31,000lbs MT without any Gear.....will ramp and everything else put me over 32,000lbs? Thats IF the truck has SS's....which i DO NOT want, add 750+/- to the 31K if i were to go with Duals 22.5's




    American Trucker
     
    American-Trucker, Sep 13, 2011
    American-Trucker, Sep 13, 2011
    #1
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  3. Sep 13, 2011 #2
    blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

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    Buy a Junkliner...It'll be light because plastic and duct tape don't weigh much.

    My W900L and 48'X96" aluminum trailer weighs in at 31,600 with
    2 Tarps,
    15 chains and binders,
    6 4X4X8 dunnage,
    8 2X6X8 boards,
    2 8' drop net tarps,
    6 sets of coil racks,
    22 aluminum V-boards,
    4 pipe stakes,
    16 4" straps,
    6 2" ratchet straps,
    4 Portable winches,
    1 collapsable ladder,
    A full set of snow chains
    My tool box, BBQ grille and all of my stuff in the truck plus 200 gallons of fuel and me sittin' in the seat.
     
    blackw900, Sep 13, 2011
    blackw900, Sep 13, 2011
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  4. Sep 13, 2011 #3
    American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    im Not looking at Freightliners i cant wait to get out of this freightliner :biggrin_2559:.

    I'm looking at a 386 Peterbilt.




    American Trucker
     
    American-Trucker, Sep 13, 2011
    American-Trucker, Sep 13, 2011
    #3
  5. Sep 13, 2011 #4
    American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    Like this:


    [​IMG]





























    American Trucker
     
    American-Trucker, Sep 13, 2011
    American-Trucker, Sep 13, 2011
    #4
    SHC Thanks this.
  7. Sep 13, 2011 #5
    blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

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    W9's are a little heavier than Peterbilts because they left some parts on the floor at the Peterbilt factory....But don't worry! Just turn the radio up real loud and you won't hear the rattling sounds.:biggrin_2559:

    The Junkliner's lighter than the Pete or the KW....Every Junkliner comes with 2 rolls of duct tape and some bailing wire.:biggrin_2556:

    Volvos are pretty heavy because they have something like 40,000 miles of wiring crammed into a steel cab....But you won't have to worry because they'll short out and burn to the ground before the warranty is up.:biggrin_2559:
     
    blackw900, Sep 13, 2011
    blackw900, Sep 13, 2011
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  8. Sep 13, 2011 #6
    Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Why not a 389 ? Im just curious, that's all I read on here lately about the 386's.
     
    Diesel Dave, Sep 13, 2011
    Diesel Dave, Sep 13, 2011
    #6
  9. Sep 13, 2011 #7
    blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

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    I'd venture a guess that he mistakenly believes that the ugly, droopy hood will get him better fuel mileage.....:biggrin_25513:
     
    blackw900, Sep 13, 2011
    blackw900, Sep 13, 2011
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  10. Sep 13, 2011 #8
    Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Even if it's a w900 long as it's a long hood ya' know ..........
     
    Diesel Dave, Sep 13, 2011
    Diesel Dave, Sep 13, 2011
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  11. Sep 13, 2011 #9
    American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    for a few resons:

    #1 I cant afford a 389
    #2 most of the 379's i find have 800,000+miles on them and alot are ragged out
    #3 the 386 will get slightly better fuel economy


    I've done some good research with Peterbilt dealerships and the Weight differance beleive it or not between a 386 and a 389 with the same spec's is within 100-300lbs. so there is no real weight advantage with the 386.



    And even if i only save a few thosand dollars a year driving a 386 over a 389 considering this will be my first truck and i'll be a new O/O i'm sure i'm bound to over spend on tires,repairs, etc. Also being young and not haveing 30+ yrs exp my insurance will be ALOT higher then yours.



    If money wasnt an issue I would buy a Blue 389 Pete but thats not really an option at the moment.


    I may just suck up the risk and get a 379 and hope for the best maintance wise but that doesnt seem like a good idea although it worked for SP.....




    I'm open for sugestions......?







    American Trucker
     
    American-Trucker, Sep 13, 2011
    American-Trucker, Sep 13, 2011
    #9
  12. Sep 13, 2011 #10
    blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

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    Pre 07 is the best bet....The emissions crap will cost you.

    Lot's of used trucks are ragged out and at 800,000 miles it'll probably have problems of the expensive kind.

    The droopy hood might help fuel economy...but the BIGGEST factor in fuel economy is the drivers ability to operate the equipment efficiently.

    I knew that...



    You make a good point there...




    SP was a very knowledgable guy that had the ability to do his own work and the means to get it done in the event that he could not do it himself.

    There is no room for the word "hope" in this business!

    You are right when you say that buying a tired old 379 that you don't know the history on is a bad idea....A bad truck can and will drown you and kill your business before you can get it stable.

    Take your time, Shop around and most importantly...If you don't know how to look at a peice of equipment the way a buyer should, Get someone to help you find the right piece of equipment...

    Lastly.....Don't listen to dick head oldtimers that are bustin' your balls about not getting a long hood!
    We're just teasing you....Do what's right for you!:yes2557:
     
    blackw900, Sep 13, 2011
    blackw900, Sep 13, 2011
    #10
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