Tractor Weight Too Heavy? Specing a new truck

My western star is 22, 950 bob tail full of fuel. I can scale 44k that’s heavy enough. hardly ever run into over weight. I own my own trailer
I wouldn’t cut it down

 

I forgot to mention, mine has 235" WB and 70" bunk. So not exactly a slim & trim fleet spec. I do have plans to add a high efficiency mini-split for a/c, sometime before next summer. The unit plus the stainless mount on the back of the cab for the compressor will add about 125 lb or so. I'll remove the upper bunk when I do it, so that will offset about half the weight.

 

I own a van but sometimes pull reefer as well. 43k is all I can scale with a reefer.

 

Why a 53’ reefer? Unless your hauling frozen bread it’s a waste. A 48 will do the job especially hauling meat and produce.

 

A 48’ will haul all the weight you need. Setting the tandems is no different. You aren’t cooling a extra five feet of trailer.
The only advantage a 53 has is if you are hauling a lite load like frozen breads or pastries.
40 thousand pounds of ice pack chicken is still going to be on 22 or 24 pallets.

 

and mine is 31000

 

I'm 35K with an APU 1/4 tank and an empty 53 dry van.