Trailer length and maneuverability

Yeah, I wasn't necessarily recommending that particular truck, just throwing out some options. As far as cost vs size of the equipment, you are correct. In fact, there are people who have found it cheaper in the long run to buy class 8 tractors to pull their fifth wheel campers and large horse trailers, etc. My suggestion for the single axle truck and lighter duty trailer was focused solely on the ability on the maneuverability of the combination.

If you can be fairly sure that you can get into and out of the places you are going with the larger truck/trailer combination I would agree that it is likely the best. If your selling something of that sizemto farmers, it is likely that farmer has large trucks entering the property already, so it's probably not an issue. Farmers are also pretty creative when it comes to making room for a special situation. I grew up on a cattle farm and still live nearby. It's nothing to go out and start yanking fence posts out of the ground and pull the wire back if you need to get something through. Good communication with your customers on the logistics of getting onto their property will solve most of those issues.

I would probably still look for the shortest trailer, or shortest from the king pin to the axles anyway. That would help on tight corners. When searching truck paper for the trailers, you can search by length. It seems you have to search for specific lengths though. Heck, just start out at 40', see what it gives you, then go to 41 and so on. You'll find something that even if you don't want THAT trailer, it gives you an idea of what you do want.

 

Remember with a short trailer like that it limits your bridge which can limit your gross allowable weight.

 

I have a Load Trail GR30 that was custom ordered from the factory with tandem 15k axles, and upgraded to electric over hydraulic brakes. The trailer weighs 9800 pounds, and I use a Binkly hitch on the deck which is rated at 32k. A normal fifth wheel hitch will not hold up to commercial use very well, a binkly is designed for this daily use and is durable.

The N13 has 430 hp and 1550 torque, more than I need but It gives me upside potential in the future to increase my trailer capacity when I decide to replace the gooseneck if I want to.

 

The reasoning behind the lager engine is longevity compared to say a cummins 6.7 or powerstroke 6.7 which are really pickup truck engines even though you see them in medium duty trucks they cannot have an in-frame done on them and have significantly shorter fluid change periods which all adds to operating cost of course.

I wanted an engine in the 8-9 liter size but this Workstar was on the lot and had what I was looking for other than it having the larger engine, so I went for it.

 

Yes that is trailer and freight, sorry I did not phrase that very well the first time.

You can go with a normal fifth hitch like you see on the class 8 semi's. A fellow I know out of Calgary does that on his Freightliner and uses a gooseneck.

The binkly might be available in other weight classes as well but I only have ever seen the 32k rating ones.

 

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I agree, I would buy a 48 step to go with the Pete. It sounds like it would be less out of pocket and the resale value would hold for you. Plus it gives you the flexibility of other loads when/if you go down that path.
Good luck.

 

If you're used to a dump truck and tag trailer, and it is manueverable enough, you should be fine with a regular semi and flat or step, Yes the trailer is longer but you can turn a lot sharper with a fifth wheel than a pintle ring. Also if you get regular tandems and slide them forward most of the way, which should be fine in the weigh your talking about, it'll act surprisingly short.. Spread axles and lowboys, on the other hand turn like a stone boat. .
Also as mentioned, way bigger market, for work for, or to sell a big truck, should your direction change.