Post flatbed load photos here V2.0

I was assuming a tandem spread was legal throughout the US. Is it not?

 

With a shorter trailer it is.

 

Oh ok, cool stuff.

 

Your trailer would not be legal in Mr Ruthless' area, Florida, California and Canada. There are 2 different types of 53ft spreads. One type is like the ones that Swift and Hunt uses, with the 10ft tail swing. Then theres the type like you and Mr Hurst use. The above mentioned places will bust you on the bridge law. I prefer the long bridge type, which is harder to maneuver in tight quarters, but you don't have the big tail swing when you're backing. Keep it tight on the drivers side and youre good. And imo, it does better with the longer heavier loads.

How so?

If to find the center of the trailer to load, you go from the kingpin to the center of the trailer axles, having the spread closer to the front puts the center closer to the step. On something like a 40 ft loaded container, butted to the step, you would be wayyyyy too heavy on the drives.

Btw, never pulled a spread in eastern Canada, but the spread wasn't recognized in western Canada, so they would give you a single axle rating. 20k. Thats why instead of the spread, you see the 3 axle flats and steps.

 

Btw, @Dye Guardian, if you don't mind, on your next load thats 30k or more, would you mind weighing your wagon with the spread open and then reweighing it closed in tandem?

 

Forgot to mention that if you ever have to run to Florida with your long bridge spreads, Florida gives you 44k on the tandem.

Say you were running from Baltimore to Daytona. You have 44k on the wagon, and 37k on the spread. If you don't know, you will think that if you close the spread, you will only be good for 34k, and you panic. Close the spread after you cross the line and you should be good.

But thats another reason why you'd need to know how much weight is shifted back from the drives to the trailer by closing the spread.

EDIT. It's been a long time since I've ran into that problem with a step, but i remember it moving somthing like 2500 lbs. So if you were good on the spread (40k and under), you should be no more than 42.5 on the tandem.

 

Couple flat loads from this week, the first are coils embossed then stamped for appliances, the second is a mix load for a retailer. Everything from lumber, trusses, landscape block, cinder block, and beams.

 

...

 

do you have your own authority

 

No I don't I work for a guy. I'm the only driver.
He has his own authority.

I talk to him every so often just to let him know I still have the truck......