Western canada stepdeck.

It just boggles my mind to see a train like this that is legal in most if not all of Canada.
Its perfectly legal to haul massive weight on a tri axle, but take that center out and make it a spread and only good for 20,000# total on the trailer? And my massive, huge, can't turn a corner, unrealistically long 260" wheelbase truck couldn't possibly pull a 53' trailer. Or keep from killing everyone nearby unless my trailer wheelbase is 40' 3" Somehow it always feels like the deck is stacked against a guy. Thanks for your reply's fellas. One way or another I will get geared up properly, if only for the fact that it seems the government is intent on keeping me out.

 

I was actually looking through the truckpaper a few minutes ago. Still thinking it over. I might have my older flat sold to a friend. I hate to say it but I talked to the local truck fabricator. He shortens up road tractors for log truck daycabs. It wouldn't cost much to shorten mine up by 16''. I would have to lose my drom deck in the back. That was the best $800 I ever spent. I just don't know if I would run out there enough to justify it. The Bohemian in me says - - - - the permits. Stay with my newer spread flat and put a 3rd axle between the spread and get truckin.

 

A normal 48' closed tandem, set to the rear will put me over the 40' 3'' wheelbase I need to me under with my 260" wheelbase truck. All of the Canadian front axle slides I have found are 41' as well. A 53' puts me over on total length. I need a spread axle for the majority of the time in the states. It would be a nightmare to try to balance out some of the goofy loads I seem to get. All the same product no problem.
I'm not sure if your from the u.s. or Canada but we are only allowed 34,000# on a tandem. 34 on trailer + 34 on drives + 12 or so on steer = 80,000 legal gross.
Spread axle is allowed 20,000# per axle. So 40,000# on trailer. Can't go over 80,000# gross But you have 6,000# extra you can play with on the back. I try to center everything but the less confident I am the further back I load. Really I try not to go over 35-36 on the trailer but it happens.

 

I sure do. I wish the U.S. allowed the same weight on a tandem. That's why 99% of flats and step decks in the states are spreads. If it wasn't for californias b.s. [ and canada ] and other than some local city work they'd all be spreads. I would love to find a 48' front axle slide [into a closed canadian tandem] with a wheelbase of 40' 3'' or less. They all seem to be specked at 41'. A deeper king pin setting of 30'' or 36'' would get it done. Of course about every stepdeck is specked with around 18'' or so for more room for the rear frame / trailer.
A Tri axle would be the best of both worlds if I can keep my empty weight under 32,000#.
If $ wasn't a factor, I would be ordering a new mac or reitinouer 51' all aluminum tri axle step deck. 12 foot spread on the tri. That would be the most versatile open deck trailer I believe you could find. Scale 48,000# lumber, yes sir. Put 40' steel plate on bottom deck and be able to axle it out, you betcha.
No farting around trying to get a ####amamie load of machinery that no one knows the weight of, loaded evenly on a closed tandem.

 

I'll have to remeasure my truck. When I did the meter conversion to feet I thought I came out to 75' overall length limit. 75' 6'' would be really close. I had it figured out I could get away pulling dads 53' reefer but I would need the 5th wheel slid all the way forward. A step deck it wouldn't work the frames wouldn't clear each other. My moose bumper sticks out a bit on the bottom, that's not coming off. I wounder just how strict they are. If I got nailed up there I could take the bumper off and strap it on the trailer maybe? A 53' california rear slide are getting to be a common thing nowadays.