Spread Axle 48' or 53' Dry Van?

Most trailer mfrs will build you whatever you want. Costco runs 53' dry van spreads in Cali, so does Gardener.

We have an O/O with a 48' dry van that's a spread, I think it's a Utility.

 

There out there just not as common as a spread reefer, the trailer dealer near me had 10 of them 2 years ago for sale all Manacs. Do a search on truck paper you will finded some.

 

Just remember that spreads are a bit heavier than a slider axle set-up.... I like 'em but I could never maake it work for me. My son has a spread on his Great Dane and it's heavy.

 

Are you sure about them being heavier than sliders? That is not the case on open deck equipment.

 

You're right... you already have that big frame under a flat or step.... but a van/reefers needs to add a big beam to bridge the crossmembers.

 

I guess I learned something today.

 

I've seen just a couple '48 dry van spreads. Most reefers I've seen are '48 spreads but I am seeing more sliding spreads in longer trailers.

 

You seldom see 53' spreads... probably because of California's laws plus the fact that they are a little tougher to turn unless you have dump valves on the axles. Spreads are tougher on tires, too because they tend to scrub when making a turn.

With all due respect, most freight haulers today wouldn't know how to use the dump valves even if they had 'em.

 

You seldom will see a 53 foot spread because most are going to be tripple axles. In a big box like that id rather have the tripple with the liftable front axle, and have all 3 slide.