Questions?

[Rookie at 53]

What is the best? A air ride 48' flat bed trailer or 48' spring ride trailer? Which is more stable and better for hauling general frieght ? Also what is a good way to pay for your fuel and other exspences without having to carry alot of cash around.

[tootie04]

I would go with an air ride trailer. It is a better ride for you and the freight.

Not sure what to tell you for fuel.....GMAN will be along for that.

tootie

[Mackman]

debit card i think would be good for fuel

[GMAN]

A spring ride will have a more rigid ride. With most loads, it won't make a difference other than the ride. If you have an air ride truck, then you will get a much better ride with an air ride trailer. Some shippers will not load a spring ride trailer. I think an air ride is easier on the equipment as well as the freight. There is more maintenance with air, but it is negligable. Basically you could have a problem with your air bags, but that is highly unlikely. Since there is nothing but steel and springs on a spring ride trailer, there isn't much to brake down. As far as fuel mileage is concerned, I don't see that it will make a difference.

I use a credit card, debit card and fuel cards. You may be able to get some cash discounts with some fuel cards. I use TCH and Truckers Advantage (Fleet One). I also have a PDCA card from Transportation Alliance Bank. It is a debit card and you can get the cash price at Flying J.

[brian]

credit cards with cash back bonuses are sure nice when you spend 60 grand on fuel every year, and I pay mine off every month so its not costing me any fees to use.

[roadranger]

I've seen broken springs but only one blown bag in my life and that was on a bus I was on 35 years ago 8) . I've got close to a million on my bags, do any of you guys change them out at a certain age or mileage or just wait for one to pop? Anybody carry a spare? Park with them up or dumped?

[mike3fan]

I've seen broken springs but only one blown bag in my life and that was on a bus I was on 35 years ago 8) . I've got close to a million on my bags, do any of you guys change them out at a certain age or mileage or just wait for one to pop? Anybody carry a spare? Park with them up or dumped?

I only change them when needed and don't carry a spare,and sleep with them up :?

[yoopr]

Air Ride of course but If you have a leaf spring tractor they work against each other.

[heavyhaulerss]

air ride definately. I have leased to co's that require air ride. so that settled it for me. as far as fuel. i use cash. most fuel stops now require you pay more unless using cash. the j is usually the cheapest. i go online & look at their fuel prices & my route & figure out how much my fuel will cost me.

[coastie]

credit cards with cash back bonuses are sure nice when you spend 60 grand on fuel every year, and I pay mine off every month so its not costing me any fees to use.

I have a debt Card that pays me to use when I use it as a credit card. When I get paid I will be uploading a good bit to that account. what I do not spend and get bounus, I get 5.05% every month. The 5.05%, and the 2.05% for using the card will add up.

[silvan]

I've seen broken springs but only one blown bag in my life

Just a testament to bags... I had a tractor brake cam over one time. Caught the tire on fire, the drum was so hot. My boss brought me another truck down, and I pulled mine across the street, and set the parking brake. (Yes, I set the parking brake.)

I should have chocked it. Didn't think about that. "Where's your truck?" "Right over... Uhhhh."

It had rolled a long way down a hill, and smacked into a tree stump really, really hard. Those airbags were stretched out like rubber bands, and I damn near ripped the axle off. Oops.

When the boss got it home, he did some jiggling or other to get the axle freed up, and it snapped back into place. The airbags were fine, and stayed with the truck for the rest of its life.

They do go out once in awhile, but I only noticed the boss replacing a couple of bags in 10 years. Those things are impressively tough.