New O/O Questions

I would ask Mercer. In the end, they are your customer. What do they need help with the most at this time? They would know…

 

IMO, the 53ft step is the most versatile trailer in open deck. But there are 2 types of steps.

Type 1 has the spread axles set where there’s a 10 ft tail swing past the rear axle. While this type will get you around the kingpin laws of Florida, on long heavy loads, the rear axles will be overloaded faster than type 2.

Type 2 has the spread axles farther towards the rear, and the rear axle can be slide closed, dropping the 40k weight limit of a 10’2 spread to the 34k limit of the ordinary tandem trailer. This is to be legal in Florida and maybe Connecticut. Thing is, if your weight is legal with a spread, it will be okay in Florida because Florida allows 44k on the rear tandem.

Sounds complicated? Simplify things then. Buy type 2 and stay out of Florida.

 

Don’t forget California, 40’ king pin bridge law. We have several 53’s and we have them all close tandems here. There not legal being spread.

 

Thanks Dave. Do you have any pictures of this type step?

 

If you're not going to California you can buy a permit for Florida, costs about a hundred bucks a year. It's not specific to truck or trailer. We've got a 53' spread with dovetail and ramps. We buy a permit every year and and keep it in the info holder on the trailer. The ticket for not having the permit is about a hundred bucks also, I know this for a fact.

 

The axles have to be fixed position. You can’t permit a step deck with a sliding rear axle if it’s legal with the axle slid. But Florida also gives you more weight on a closed tandem.

And a hundred dollars! Dang inflation I suppose. The last permit I got for Florida was back in 2016 and they were still $35 back then. Lol