I'm currently looking at a truck and trailer for work requiring a 53ft dry van. What type of axle ratio and gearing would you suggest? Also I plan to predominately run in the southeast, midwest, and Texas. I'd say the majority of the freight I plan on hauling would be above 40,000lbs. Some examples of what I plan to haul are bottled water and soda, building materials and insulation, auto parts, lawn care products, etc. What type of horsepower and torque should I be looking for in an engine for this type of work? I know that some shippers require a trailer 10 years or newer, but I don't think most places I plan on going have this rule, would you still suggest getting a trailer within this age for reliability or will I be good with an older trailer? I've got several questions, but essentially I just want advice on what you all believe is the best set up for hauling a 53ft dry van.
The only time I've run into that "10yr" rule is at paper mills, picking up heavy roll stock. Not to say others don't have it, but that's where I encounter it. The reason for it is they have to have some kind of cut off. Some ragged heaps out here. That roll stock is heavy. You might get 6 rolls, spaced out. That's stress on an unkempt old trailer. THEY'LL SNAP IN HALF.
I have a trailer now that's older than 10 years. I only ran into that issue at that one paper mill in Shreveport, LA. I can't think of the name. The weird thing is, ive hauled heavier loads than the average paper roll stock load. Most of the time the ones I get ate between 40000 and 42000. Very rare do I get a paper load past those weights. Now in Monroe, LA they have that rule but they'll at least look at the trailer first. They won't just turn you away. However, if you can get a trailer newer than ten years, why not?
