The "Spread" of Ignorance

Sorry, don't know much about hoppers. But they don't look very sturdy. Do the spreads last as long as the closed tandems?

 

Les2, in my experience, yes, they do last just as long. There's some reinforcement steel above the frame of the spread that makes the trailer pretty strong. Of course the downfall is that a spread weighs about 800 pounds more than the same trailer in a closed tandem. Hoppers may look flimsy, but you have to remember they're designed to be loaded to max GVWR every time, so they have to be sturdy. Like any piece of equipment, they can be abused, and they'll show those signs of abuse just like any other trailer. But, if you take care of one (i.e. don't overload them on a consistent basis, and don't try to twist them into a pretzel) they'll easily last 10 to 15 years before you need to worry about updating. Even then, its the moving parts like trap doors and suspensions that give you problems - not the main structure of the trailer. Some brands are stouter than others, but that's with anything.

 

5mouths2feed this is kind of off topic but are youstill looking for an electric A/C unit ? http://www.waeco.com/en/3882.php this may interest you

 

I'm with 5MTF on this - the input and experiences posted help figure things through. The trailer I'm looking to pick up is a Wilson closed tandem with air ride. I prefer Wilson trailers, they feel like they're built better - the added plus is the Hendrickson suspension (like my steer axle). I'll be installing a lift on the rear axle (like I've seen many, many times on hoppers) as soon as I can to save on wear while dead-heading, and tolls. Think of it this way - there is zero tire scrub with a single axle trailer - they just pivot.

One of the reasons you'd want to lift the rear axle on any hopper is to help protect the hopper doors hanging below the trailer. Stretch the wheelbase out too far, hit a door on something high, and you're done for.

 

I've never pulled a hopper, but I don't see much merit in a spread hopper unless your grossed for 86,000. One can load a closed tandem hopper to 34/34 pretty easily. Spread flats and reefers allow for alternative loading, which a hopper isnt imo.

 

good poit winchester and hyway

 

Not really, we loaded hoppers for a long time at our place and very few could actually get 80k because they couldn't get enough on the steering. I've got my 5th wheel as far as I can go without hitting the mudflap brackets and I still can't get there. Luckily some states were more forgiving with axle weights when your product can\will move while driving. Still though for OTR I would MUCH rather have a spread. Only problem is except for Cornhusker you can't get a 10' spread on any hopper under 48'. (cornhusker is 46' minimum I believe)

 

Now that's news on my end! It's all I can do to keep weight OFF the steer axle with my rig. Granted it's a 780, and they're typically nose-heavy, but it's also a long wheelbase for a Volvo at 231". I've scaled the truck at 79,800 quite a few times now (and have the CAT scale tickets to show) on different products. You might want to take a look at your leveling height on the trailer - if it's too low it can cause weight to shift backwards. I have the opposite problem - trailer is too high and it settles forward - takes forever to load and balance that way.

I've actually been thinking about the balance issue alot lately, and I need to ask around about what spreading the axles on my tractor would do. If I've got my head correct, 38k axles are narrow spacing, and 40k spec is spread about 6 more inches. Basically, I'd have to have the front drive moved forward, the driveline lengthened, and the fairing section changed. Now all I have to do is make a dozen phone calls and ask a hundred dumb questions all in due time..... One thing I do know, is I'd see alot more tire wear on the drives. I'm well aware that I still won't be able to scale more than 34k on the drives, but it may make balancing easier on the steer.

 

Is your 5th wheel as far back as it can go? I know I always had to load about a ton and a half more in the back hopper than in the front when I was running a closed tandem to axle out right, but, as usual, no two operations work alike.