The Truckers’ Report flatbed Hall of Shame.

How does an aero truck have less frame rail?

 

Wow 5000 a lot.

 

He's special.

 

Witnessed a driver in osceola Ar use 2 5/16 chains and 3 straps on a 40000 lb coil loaded shotgun.

 

2 horse shoe chains each getting 50% and 3 straps over the top for 100% . Not ideal but its legal.

 

Snub nose means less front overhang so it doesn't have to be quite so long for the same fifth wheel placement and similar sleeper size.

 

most aero trucks are under 220" wb.
most long nosed are 250+

 

I ain't one to judge what anybody runs.
Myself I want a few things.
#1 is reliability. I want it as simple as possible. Less is more. No emissions systems to fork up. None of this and none of that. I wanna be able to head into hell and be able to drive back out with nothing but duck tape and baling wire holding it together if required.
#2 is parts availability. When things go to crap in Tim buck too I want a chance of finding what I need if I ain't got it on the truck.
#3 I want it to Outlast me. The devil you know is better than the devil you don't. That means a big frame and an aluminum cab and hood.
#4 I figure the bigger the hood the easier it is to work on and keep things up to snuff. Helps keep the windshield clear of snow as a bonus.
#5 I figure the smaller bunk the easier it is to heat and less to rattle and drive you crazy. And makes up somewhat for having a heavier base truck.
#5 I figure the truck your personality driving is more than a business decision. It's a glimpse into what you are. I'm proud to have made it to where I'm at, and to have my name on the door in big bold letters. Being very easy to recognize with local customers has made more money than an extra mile per gallon ever would have doing what I do.
To each his own. If I was doing @Ruthless loads every day I'd prolly want an armoured daycab. If I was running coast to coast like a lot of you guys I'd want a double eagle to stay out of truck stops. But for me my little 48" flat top is perfect.

 

my empty weight is 38k. trailer is around 14k. so with all my equipment, im about 24k just on the tractor

 

I'm one of the few guys that has ever shortened up a truck. Went from 260" to 244". I can testify that taking 16" out of the wheelbase did next to nothing on the turning radius. Not enough for me to notice any difference. The ride seemed to get a little choppier loaded is all I noticed.