Wilson vs East stepdeck tri axle 17.5 tires

OK so I've been looking at stepdecks and I was trying to get opinions on Wilson vs East and tri axle and these 17.5 tires.

Does any of this make a difference or is it really an advantage over regular stepdecks with say a spread?

Thanks a lot

I get a lot of very mixed opinions about 17.5. I don't drive fast anyway so that's no big deal.

 

17.5 are ok only if you can afford the name brand tires, if you decide to get the trailer and it has China made tires on it and it's still hot weather you had best keep them in the spare tire rack to get home on only, most of these trailers will haul 10 feet hi. of freight that should pay more than 22.5 wheeled trailers do?

 

How many spare tire racks do you have?Even trying to keep 255/70R 22.5’s on a 12’ spread tridem will drive you out of your mind. The 17.5’s have got to be worse, and a lot more expensive.

 

Not true ... I had michelins since new and they wear out same fast as continental ( decided to try on one axle ) other axle Hancock at almost half the cost lasting same long as top brand . Use them on both trailers . I never drive over 70 - never had issues . If you dont move specific tall freight - i would go with 22.5s
If you gonna drive - you should be fine with either one . Driver - probably twice shorter life span for everything

 

I don’t think a 10’1” would be a lot different than one of our 12’ tridems with lopros on it. They’re just going to destroy tires. I got over throwing rubber at them steady a long time ago. Everything here is spreads, 3 of my tractors even. They have 72” drives.

 

Pavrom makes a very good point. The issue I had with my step at the time was the length of the bottom deck. It was a 48 OAL with 10 top and 38FT on bottom. Shippers wanted a longer deck than a lower deck height. Unless a guy is in really solid with brokers or agents that have freight for that lower height it isn't a real benefit. If you haven't already check out Driven Trucking on YouTube.This guy talks about his misery with his 53' Reitnouer step deck with 17.5 tires and loading it on the spot market. In the end, everyone has to do their own thinking and go down their own road.

 

I cant complain on mine and i do only spot market . Advantage for me having 53' is partials , i have probably 30% of time leaving Chicago partial or 2 , only 5% of the loads or less needed 122" height .

 

I have been subscribed to Driven for quite some time but I'm going back to review some things because this is a new venture.

What is your opinion on 19.5 tires. From what I've gathered they are more reliable by a lot.

Is there much height difference with 17.5 vs 19.5 vs 22.5?

I've been told that tire size does not necessarily translate 1:1 on load height.

Thank you

 

I'm pretty sure I'm going to settle on 19.5 but I'm trying to understand the difference between 17.5 vs 19.5 vs 22.5.

I've been told that tire size does not necessarily translate 1:1 to load height.

Thank you

 

I've heard 53 stepdeck partials are quite lucrative. I'm not sure if that's the case but I don't mind doing extra planning/work.

Thank you