Muv-All

[tracer]

When I kept bugging my Wilson dealer about the lowest deck height of a step, he suggested I look into Muv-All trailers. They used to be a part of Wilson and the dealer can arrange a trade-in. What do you guys think? Are these too specialized for a general freight hauler like me? I like the S-shape of the trailers but what I'm going to do with steel coils, wire, and sea containers?

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[Orangetxguy]

When I kept bugging my Wilson dealer about the lowest deck height of a step, he suggested I look into Muv-All trailers. They used to be a part of Wilson and the dealer can arrange a trade-in. What do you guys think? Are these too specialized for a general freight hauler like me? I like the S-shape of the trailers but what I'm going to do with steel coils, wire, and sea containers?

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Tracer.....Looks to me like you just gotta grab ahold of your ears, look yourself in the eye (I suggest using a mirror) and decide what you're gonna do. Haul general freight...or haul specialized.....kinda like Heavyhauler.

[tracer]

Tracer....grab ahold of your ... mirror and ... do ... like Heavyhauler.

If I didn't need to support my noble appetite, I'd choose to haul these:

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[GMAN]

You haven't been pulling a step for very long. A standard step is more versatile than some of the trailers that are on the link. The more specialized your trailer the more deadhead you are likely to do and the more limited you will be when it comes to finding loads. You need to decide what you want to haul. But, you need to take a couple of deep breaths and give what you are doing a little time. What you are doing now may work well for a while, but if the economy takes another dive you could find yourself looking for something different to haul. Your step gives you some flexibility while offering the opportunity to take advantage of some specialize freight. If it were me I would give it at least another year or so before making any changes.

[rank]

Sounds to me like the best deal in town for you right now is hauling steel. $4/mile? C'mon man. Just make sure to ask about the detention.

[crb]

I suggest taking a break on the "perfect trailer " search. It sounds like you are over analyzing things and need to step back for a bit. I run into this over analizung situation regularly. I've been analyzing buying a truck so might even say obcessing over the idea. I've decided to step back so I can keep an open mind on the topic.

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

I agree with CRB, you have the perfect trailer already. You can do most anything a 48' flat can do, but you also can pull taller loads. You really need to get some damn tarps and do some of the coil loads and steel from ON to US and back as it is paying like crazy right now. I have a friend who lives down the street who is pulling a step and running steel coils out of US Steel in Gary, IN to some place just across the border off the Port Huron bridge, and coming back with re-finished coils to US Steel making $3.50 per mile on the round-trip!

[robertt]

2011 REITNOUER BEAVERTAIL ALUMINUM DROP DECK

Reset Special ZOOM Features
Quantity 1 Year 2011 Manufacturer REITNOUER Model BEAVERTAIL ALUMINUM DROP DECK Price $45,500 Location Sioux Falls, South Dakota Condition New Suspension Air Ride Width 102 in Floor Type Aluminum Floor Tires 19.5 Michelin Wheels All Aluminum Number of Rear Axles Tandem Axle Type Fixed Spread Composition Aluminum
Detailed Description ALL NEW BEAVERTAIL ALUMINUM DROP DECKS, sliding winches bothsides, 2 toolboxes, 13 lights per side, liquid air gauge, ele. dump rear axle,
Say you saw this New 2011 REITNOUER BEAVERTAIL ALUMINUM DROP DECK On TruckPaper.com!Send LARSON TRUCK SALES/ L & M TRAILER CO A Message

[rank]

Say...that's a nice trailer. I could use something like that. Looks like a 53' too? 19.5" rims I see. I wonder what the deck height is on that....and I wonder about tire and brake availability (price). Might have to make a call.


EDIT: i made the call. 53'. 37" deck. $40,000 US (no FET for a CDN buyer).....less the exchange rate on those cheap American pesos.

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

That is a very nice trailer!!!! 53' to boot. If I had the cash, that would be my choice if it could scale 60k on the deck

[rank]

..... if it could scale 60k on the deck

I doubt it. Depends on the truck. I bet the trailer weighs over 10,000. We havr a Reitnouer 48 and it's just shy of 10K.

[robertt]

Just thought since tracer was talking about stretching, lowering, ramps, weight, customizing, etc., this kinda covered it all. If I was still on the road with my own rig, this is what I would have.

This particular trailer has been posted on here for a while now. They have already gone from $45,000 to $40,000. They might go a little lower. You never know till you ask.

[tracer]

The trailer looks good but if I were to get something with ramps, I'd go to Wilson. They have a model where 2 wide ramps when folded create a level surface, with no gap between the ramps. I think it'd be more useful

[tracer]

...Your step gives you some flexibility while offering the opportunity to take advantage of some specialize freight...

Gman, just this once you may be right I think the problem is not with the trailer; it's with the AREAS where I was going. I had good rates going in but getting out was difficul and freight was very limited and pretty much typical flatbed. I'm not a flatbed, so I was at a disadvantage compared to the other guys. Now I"m staying close to home doing runs in IL, IN, PA, OH stuff like that and an interesting thing is happening: LS agents are actually CALLING me offering stepdeck loads! There's lots of freight in these areas and it's not all flatbed so I'm back to thinking good about my step. In these areas I can find specialized STEPDECK freight that pays quite well. My "edge over the competition" is trifold: I can still haul freight up to 10'6" tall, I can be legal with up to 49,000 lbs on the deck, and if someone offers a good rate I can still go to Western Canada thanks to my closed trailer tandem. Thanks for straghtening me out I might turn the front axle into a slider later on still: it can be helpful with LTL and some long and heavy loads. All I need now is a couple of cheap 4' tarps so that I can move stuff like this:

Pickup: PA
Delivery: ON, Canada
Miles: 400
Freight: machinery, 25,000 lbs
Trailer required: Flat or Step
Tarp: yes
Rate: $4/mi

[tracer]

That is a very nice trailer!!!! 53' to boot. If I had the cash, that would be my choice if it could scale 60k on the deck

60K on the deck is hard to do with a stepdeck. You need something like a Wilson CF-965 flat:

The 48 ft model with 10'1" Tandem is rated for:

Load Concentrated in 4 Ft. -- 65,000 Lbs.
Load Concentrated in 10 Ft. -- 67,000 lbs
Load Concentrated in 20 Ft. -- 73,000 Lbs.

This is a combo trailer with a heavy duty beam designed to handle heavy coils.

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[rank]

I"m staying close to home doing runs in IL, IN, PA, OH stuff like that and an interesting thing is happening: LS agents are actually CALLING me offering stepdeck loads! There's lots of freight in these areas and it's not all flatbed so I'm back to thinking good about my step. In these areas I can find specialized STEPDECK freight that pays quite well. My "edge over the competition" is trifold: I can still haul freight up to 10'6" tall, I can be legal with up to 49,000 lbs on the deck..

Hallelujah I think you have seen the light! Do you know why they are calling you? Because they know you are nearby and can get there quick....not out in freakin' Nevada or Wyoming somewhere. Your big advantage is that you are AVAILABLE. This is like having 10 trucks in a coast to coast operation.

...and if someone offers a good rate I can still go to Western Canada thanks to my closed trailer tandem.
Arrgh. Don't get sucked in.

...but then what do I know? I'm just a general freight hauler.

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

Now I"m staying close to home doing runs in IL, IN, PA, OH stuff like that and an interesting thing is happening: LS agents are actually CALLING me offering stepdeck loads! There's lots of freight in these areas and it's not all flatbed so I'm back to thinking good about my step. Pickup: PA

it's about damn time you listened to me..... i only suggested this to you 4 months ago. Damn stubborn Russians LOL!!!

[rank]

Hey Tracer, if you move this load, I'll buy you supper after you deliver.

F F Winchester, KY (550) CHERRY VLY, ON (606) 780-4141 100 27 48 38 Landstar

[tracer]

Hey Tracer, if you move this load, I'll buy you supper after you deliver.

I"m heading to Alexandria Bay NY and then east to Monreal with the 34,000 machine in the picture (10ft high). Deliver Monday, then pick up some 20 ft container and heading west to Cambridge, MN (just north of St. Paul, MN). Oops, Just got a call from the agent who gave me the Montreal to MN load - the receiver needs that load Monday to be in MN. So, they gave it to another company! Hurray! It didn't pay all that well, plus that Cambridge, MN is 400 miles (!) away from Chicago, IL. Whew ... I got off easy Now I can find something decent from QC to US.

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[crb]

Following your posts and blog makes my mind work those numbers trying to convince my heart to butt a truck just to prove I can make it work. $4 a mile seems good I don't know how guys make money leased to carriers that are paying $1 mile. I especially don't know how they do it leasing a truck.