How long is too long, 57'?

I've pulled both 57' and 60' trailers before.. the 57' is only allowed in a few states and the 60' was in CA local hauling empty aluminum cans and had a crazy short cabover freightliner with the air lines on the rear frame. The 57' with a regular tractor was something that definitely has to gotten used to and GREAT care has to be taken while figuring them out.

 

1980 reefer trailers were all 40-41 foot floor stacked and overloaded

 

Try again. Many were 40 footers, but were on their way out, 45 footers were coming on and 42'6" were popular among chicken and produce haulers

 

And the drivers were saying "Crud, any longer than 45 and we won't fit in the truckstop!".

 

You are correct, sir. Even with 156" wheelbase cabovers.
A "Big Truck" was a standard hood conventional, with a 45 foot reefer and a belly mount unit, which was still too long in most eastern states.

 

A 53' tandem is good for 92000lbs up here 12000 steer, 40,000 drive, 40,000 trailer tandems. Our tri axels are 110,000, truck being the same add another 18,000 on the trailer.

 

Longer trailers would be good; we need more U-turn disaster vids on youtube.

 

Our company just got a 53 and what a difference taking a while to get used to. I pulled plenty of 53s but with daycabs. I prefer my 48 but I'll get used to this trailer I'm sure.

 

I was really worried about 53' trailers.. then I pulled one from Sacramento to LA and didn't know it was a 53 till I got down there.