Spec'ing a TRIdem stepdeck

[tracer]

OK, no more RGN for me..

Let's hear some views on spec'ing a tridem step. Don't actually need a tridem but our Heavy Haul allows me to permit heavy loads with a tridem. So, it's good for the future and stuff over 49,000 lbs (what I can haul legally now).

Wilson has a sloped gooseneck (45% angle), so that you can move tractors and such from the lower deck onto the upper deck. The option costs just over $1,000. I think it's a good thing to have.

105022-Dynaweld_(1)01.jpg

Here's what I picture:

Total length: 53
Top deck: 10 ft
Kingpin setting: 16" (all RGNs have 10ft decks and 16" kingpins, what's good for them should be good for a step)
Lower deck: 43 ft
Gooseneck: sloped, 45% angle (see the pic above)
Composition: combo (steel plus aluminum)
In-the floor tiedowns (6,500 lb rating)
Double spools
Stake pockets
Aluminum floor with 4 nailers
Steel coil package? (loads of pre-tarped steel coils from IN to ON, Canada) pay 3 bucks per mile
Tridem: 72" spread between axles; this would give me the highest weight rating in ON and USA

3 m to 3.6 m - 24,000 KG
3.6 m to 3.7 m - 26,000 KG or 57,200 lbs

72" between each axle is 3.65 m for the entire tridem group, hence the 26,000 KG allowance.

Wheels/tires: I have been bit**ing about my tiny tires but the reality is they DO allow to pick up some DD loads: with my 36" deck I can move stuff up to 10'6" tall, so I'd probably get a tridem with the same 17.5' tires, all aluminum wheels.

D-rings: I don't have these on my current step, but I"m thinking it'd be good to have them to tie down heavy equipment, at least 3 or 4 on each side.

Winches: Wilson finally has come up with a new design for the stepdeck winches and they no longer SCRATCH the side panel. Instead, they run on a rail underneath, just like in most flatbeds. Neat!

PS: In Western Canada (Alberta) you get 24,000 KG maximum if the tridem is between 3 m and 3.7 m.

[bikerboy]

Maybe you could get a rear lift axle, lift it when you don't need it to save tires and brakes and it will corner better as well, u don't need a switch in the cab, i have seen trailer that have a switch on the trailer to lift or drop the axle.

[tracer]

Maybe you could get a rear lift axle, lift it when you don't need it to save tires and brakes and it will corner better as well, u don't need a switch in the cab, i have seen trailer that have a switch on the trailer to lift or drop the axle.

That sounds like a good idea but it'll probably add still more weight and cost. When I sit down with the dealer, I'll ask about this. I'm kind of tired a bit from moving my current step where the axles are stuck at the 41 ft mark. The offtrack is huge and there's nothing I can do about it, as the axles are fixed.

[allan5oh]

A few thoughts:

- This trailer will be heavy. Even all aluminum would be around 11.5k-12k properly equipped
- Look into lift axles
- There are some that can even make you a 13" kingpin with 8 foot upper. Chaparral comes to mind (all aluminum)
- At these weights you really have to mind the frame ratings. As well as clearance for your rear bumper.
- Isn't this the same trailer I told you to spec out before you bought that wilson?
- Get Michelin XTA 2 energy tires, not XTA energy. The first have better weight ratings. The second you cannot even fully load in Canada.

If you're going to go with an RGN soon, why bother buying a new trailer now? I'd recommend sticking with what you have. If not, you might be able to sell me this 53' trailer in 2 years as long as it's light enough.

Here's a few:

2011 REITNOUER BIG BUBBA DROP W/35" DECK HEIGHT Drop Deck For Sale At TruckPaper.com
2012 MAC ALUMINUM 3-AXLE Drop Deck For Sale At TruckPaper.com

I don't think that mac is a 2012, it's been for sale for quite a while

2006 DOONAN COMBO Tri-Axle Drop deck Drop Deck For Sale At TruckPaper.com

ack, only a 48.

[allan5oh]

That sounds like a good idea but it'll probably add still more weight and cost. When I sit down with the dealer, I'll ask about this. I'm kind of tired a bit from moving my current step where the axles are stuck at the 41 ft mark. The offtrack is huge and there's nothing I can do about it, as the axles are fixed.

If you're worried about that there's a way around it. You can weld a small chail to the top of the axle you want lifted, with a hook on the frame above it. You'll also need to isolate the two air bags on that axle. Dump the air out of everything, and attach and tighten the chain to the hook on the frame, isolate the two airbags, then reinflate the air level system. Voila a lift axle with almost no cost and almost no weight gain. The problem is you have to get under the trailer every time you want to lift or lower an axle. Also consider the ABS system.

[Walking Eagle]

If you go with a 45 degree rake you can't end up with a 53 foot trailer with 10 foot top deck and 43 foot bottom.
My Doonan three axle step both the number two and three axles lifted that way it could be run short WB two axle, spread axle or three axle. The only increase in weight is the extra air bag that lifts the axle.

[Heavy Duty]

Wilson has a sloped gooseneck (45% angle), so that you can move tractors and such from the lower deck onto the upper deck. The option costs just over $1,000. I think it's a good thing to have.

A couple of short ramps will do the same thing, you need to spec a trailer that you can sell when the time comes.

[allan5oh]

If you go with a 45 degree rake you can't end up with a 53 foot trailer with 10 foot top deck and 43 foot bottom.
My Doonan three axle step both the number two and three axles lifted that way it could be run short WB two axle, spread axle or three axle. The only increase in weight is the extra air bag that lifts the axle.

May not be legal in Canada with #2 and #3 lifted especially if you have a short KP setting.

[tracer]

If you're going to go with an RGN soon, why bother buying a new trailer now?

I could make more money with a 53, and then get some heavy haul experience with the tridem. Trailers now - even new - are cheaper than mine, thanks to the strong Canadian dollar.

[tracer]

Here's a 94 Wilson with a sloped gooseneck and a tridem. Doesn't it look good I don't know ... that sloped gooseneck makes sense to me.

wilson94.jpg

[allan5oh]

I could make more money with a 53, and then get some heavy haul experience with the tridem. Trailers now - even new - are cheaper than mine, thanks to the strong Canadian dollar.

That's part of the problem. You're going to lose a lot of money selling your current trailer, then again when you sell the new trailer.

But if there's a company out there that you would benefit having a 53 foot 17.5 step, it would probably be landstar.

[Mackman]

dont be scared.

2011 TALBERT 2011 Talbert 55 Ton Hydraulic Detachable LowBoy Tr Lowboy For Sale At TruckPaper.com

Buy that and go make the big bucks.

[tracer]

Here's an idea that might work for me: keep the same trailer and the same monthly payments, but when I have some extra money, take my 48 ft step to a trailer body shop and get to install the 3rd axle in front of the first one in the group. Then turn the middle axle into a 'lift' axle. In this way I can run the trailer as a 121" tandem spread, or - when it's required - as heavy duty tridem. I had a steel coil package installed on the trailer at the factory, so the frame is very strong. This option might be great for those occasional ultra-heavy loads that pay so well. This investment would also increase the value of the trailer for tax purposes.

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[rank]

Now Tracer......I seem to recall suggesting that you get a 53 and you got a 48. I suggested you not go with the Conestoga and you wound up taking it off. I almost hesitate to do this, for fear that you will do the opposite LOL, but now I am suggesting you take Heavy Duty's advice and stay away from the sloped deck. You can get the front tractor tires up on that top deck.......we do it all the time.

I do like your idea about adding the axle though. However, I don't think I've ever heard of it being done before.

[tracer]

Now Tracer......I seem to recall suggesting that you get a 53 and you got a 48. I suggested you not go with the Conestoga and you wound up taking it off. I almost hesitate to do this, for fear that you will do the opposite LOL, but now I am suggesting you take Heavy Duty's advice and stay away from the sloped deck. You can get the front tractor tires up on that top deck.......we do it all the time.

I do like your idea about adding the axle though. However, I don't think I've ever heard of it being done before.

Rank, you already have a half of the local Ontario market covered with your 53 ft Wilson that has a 10'1 spread and low deck I need to be a little bit different. I probably won't have money for a new trailer but I can improve on my current setup with this extra axle. Now I"m trying to remember what shop I talked about it to ... I know they said it can be done. And the gooseneck stays at 90 degrees

[Walking Eagle]

May not be legal in Canada with #2 and #3 lifted especially if you have a short KP setting.

Used to run into Canada with it to the oil fields and thru to Alaska all the time. Only time would run with both 2 and 3 up was deadheading, never pulled a light enough load to be able to run a single axle

[tracer]

...You can get the front tractor tires up on that top deck.......we do it all the time...

Do you use portable ramps for that?

[bikerboy]

4 wheel drive tractors should climb right up

[Heavy Duty]

4 wheel drive tractors should climb right up

So will Hummers, and most 4wheel drive Army trucks

[rank]

Do you use portable ramps for that?

The shipper usually has ramps if they're needed. Yes, most 4 wheel drive tractors will climb up without ramps but you have s deeper drop than most so I don't know about that in your case, and yes we sometimes cobble up some sort of ramp system.....it doesn't take much. A couple of 6x6's and a plank for a ramp. Putting the load levelers at the base of the drop works too....oh yeah, I forgot you sold your levelers. You musta went through a dry box phase or something.