Ride quality of ISO tank chassis trailers

Discussion in 'Intermodal Trucking Forum' started by Trucker2211, Dec 20, 2018.

  1. Trucker2211

    Trucker2211 Light Load Member

    94
    90
    Mar 3, 2015
    0
    2C2C5CC1-7507-4ECF-86B4-E6FD1AE8E7B4.jpeg I pull spring ride, spread axle, gooseneck chassis trailers that are made to carry a single portable ISO tank container all the time (probably 80% of my work). I was wondering if anyone else on here has any experience or knowledge about these trailers, because to me, the ride quality of these things are absolutely terrible! It constantly has a strong vibration and shake no matter what speed and it just feels so heavy... like it weighs 1,000,000 lbs or something crazy. My fuel mileage drops down to about 4.6 mpg also. Yikes! Does anyone else have these issues or is it just my truck?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. truckdriver31

    truckdriver31 Road Train Member

    6,988
    8,343
    Sep 18, 2013
    0
    is it a volvo truck
     
  4. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,011
    41,498
    Jan 13, 2013
    SW Arkansas
    0
    Pulling an iso is like pulling a house as far as fuel economy goes. That big distance between to back of the cab to the front wall of the iso is the cause and it doesn't help the wind either. I've been lucky as I've almost always got an air ride rack.
     
  5. Roberts450

    Roberts450 Road Train Member

    2,237
    3,634
    Feb 6, 2016
    0
    Those trailers arent made to ride nice. They are designed to work and survive the harsh environment of hauling containers by outfits that do very minimal maintenance. @kemosabi49 covered the fuel economy aspect of it.
     
  6. Trucker2211

    Trucker2211 Light Load Member

    94
    90
    Mar 3, 2015
    0
    Yep, sure is. 2015 VNL 630... Spring ride front axle, Merritor MT40 rear axles on Volvo air ride. Truck has new shocks all the way around and 10 brand new tires along with Centramatic wheel balancers on all corners. I’m beginning to think it’s the truck and I have another post about it on the Volvo forum
     
  7. truckdriver31

    truckdriver31 Road Train Member

    6,988
    8,343
    Sep 18, 2013
    0
    maybe. volvos are ride and glide trucks. nice and heavy. and when you add heavy trailer in the mix. then all is heavy
     
  8. Trucker2211

    Trucker2211 Light Load Member

    94
    90
    Mar 3, 2015
    0
    81D72037-7631-4F20-B757-2EFE51B07653.jpeg CF04944B-F96D-4B4A-B24F-02FED5EB2005.jpeg 62F9AFC6-9E43-476F-9145-7CF9AF6617F7.jpeg E5B05DD7-9982-4A41-81C5-12427F848B32.jpeg
    Yeah I like to compare it to pulling a big ### open parachute down the interstate at 75 mph LOL It does catch every single bit of wind and engine stays under 100% load pretty much the whole time. I can do a lot better if I stay around 60 mph instead of 75 but I just can’t stand going that slow!

    I know they’re not long skinny Cadillac’s or nothing, but I know they’re not supposed to be this bad. I’ve pulled these for years... but they’ve all been this one type & one brand. They’re not only just a spread axle-spring ride, but the leaf spring hangers are connected by a beam; front to back. The main reason for this post is to figure out if the problem is with these particular chassis trailers or my truck itself. I have more info about specifics in my other post in the Volvo forum. I’ve never pulled a chassis with tandem spring-ride or any combo of air ride, so I was hoping someone has so I could somewhat compare the differences.
     
  9. wis bang

    wis bang Road Train Member

    3,067
    3,429
    Jan 12, 2011
    Levittown, PA
    0
    face it, you are dragging an anchor...I remember guys complaining about early drop frames flexing and slapping one in the kidneys but most complained about the parachute effect of the tank framework standing tall.

    I remember having a few 40' SEAU chassis with centered bolsters for a 20' and a planked deck back to the rear so the forklift could reach the centered box...top heavy and caught even more air...

    at least the drop frames help keep the greasy side down!
     
  10. MM71

    MM71 Heavy Load Member

    753
    974
    Jun 28, 2008
    AZ
    0
    It is the chassis. Everything about ISO's suck. MPG, Ride, and most importantly the lack of pay to put up with said suckage.
     
    ChicagoJohn Thanks this.
  11. ChicagoJohn

    ChicagoJohn Road Train Member

    2,378
    2,732
    Jan 14, 2016
    Chicago
    0
    I also second the chassis sucking. I've never pulled one that road even half way decent. Guys with long hood Pete's complained of ride also.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.