What engine would you use if this was you?

Gotcha. so you stay with in state limits. I was hoping to stay local here in Tennessee and run even longer with the 45' law, but just not enough work (or at least customers) to make that possible.

 

ah gotcha. I plan to get a trailer down the line but want to stick running as is.

 

Basically heres the run down on my set up. Going with an international HV or Workstar. Shes going to be set up with as a 4x2 initially with a 23K lb air ride rear and 15,300 lb front on leafs. Then I will be setting it up as a tri axle configuration with a 8K lb lift-able steer axle both behind and in front of the drive. The rear axle is to axle help push the nose down should I get a ### heavy load. The drop axle in front of the drive is just for the extra capacity. over all that gives me a 54,300 GVWR and about a 20 ton payload if the weight works out even. I don't plan to run that heavy all the time but the idea is that its set up to do it should I need to. Most likely ill be running with about 12 to 15 ton payloads.

I have debated going to a tandem axle setup but Im trying to save a bit on fuel and tires by have as few tires on the ground when I can. plus the 2 drops allow me to "shift" the weight if I get some weird loads.

 

trust me that is a legitimate concern especially with having them both in front and behind the drive. My way to combat that is to use hendricksons low profile and low weight drops. plus they use the smaller 18.5" 5 lugs giving a bit more clearance over a 22.5. But its still a concern and that is why Im keeping in consideration a tandem. I suppose I could do a 6x2 with a mid lift. and maybe a single drop in the center. I like to stay closer to the 20t capacity so a drop is going to be necessary. Running a small package means you need to be able to handle as much as you can with the limited weight. That means if there's a coil that needs moved, I want to still be able to do it. (god a full coil on a straight truck would be sketchy as hell now that I think about it hahaha).

in your experience tho, how often have you came to a place tho where you could legitimately get hung up on something? Ive ran 6 axle dumps for a long time and most of the time if I came to a spot that could beach me, there's a way around it. I ask because I haven't gotten to run many loads out and about yet in my life time. Ive always been local and know exactly what I'm getting into.