Trading hopper bottom for an end dump

I am using a 254 inch truck and with my 28’ ravens trailer can do 22.5 tons legal…. That doesn’t mean 30 won’t fit but that’s not what you asked lol
I can scale 76 or maybe 76.5 idk it’s been a while since I looked at the table and I might be wrong but dot has never questioned it. So to answer your question I loose around 2.5 tons to a similar setup with a 39-40’ frameless mac or an average of $20 per trip but I figure I make that up by being able to work more jobs/days per year because of less concern of soft ground, high winds, or uneven dump sites and maybe a touch of being more maneuverable, although realistically that’s probably not worth talking about.

 

Me personally, I'd go 39-40'. The part of the country you're in, there is a lit of east-west freight. If you're more interested in grains, aggregates, etc. get a liner. More metals, no liner and a barn door. JMO, I don't care for a frame trailer at all. If it goes so does the truck, frame less only way to go. Again just my .02

 

If you go spread axle, I would put dump valves on the front and rear axles. Get in a tight spot, lift the rear and turn short, hit the highway empty lift the front and roll!

 

US Bulk was 28 days to pay, last load for them.
Sometimes it arrives in 30th day.

 

Length of trailer in most states will need to be 39 foot especially if you are going to cross state lines. I have a 40 ft frameless East tandem. with a 285 wheelbase on my Pete. I like a spread axle but I do not like the additional weight that comes with a spread since my truck is heavy at 22k alone. My trailer is 11,500. Keep in mind that you'll need a wetline kit if you don't already. Also a frameless trailer will require blocking so it stays level as the trailer 5th wheel plate does all the swiveling on a frameless. Keep in mind both types of trailers will turn over but a frameless will bite you fast if you don't pay attention.

 

meh, there’s no difference, pins on a frame trailer will make it look better but it’s still going over if your ####ed up, Atleast a frameless will leave the truck up right