After talking to MD, PA, ON, MB, CT, NY to determine their laws and after talking to Lode King, Chapp, Transcraft, Doonan, Wilson, XL Specilaized and more, we take delivery of a 53 Wilson Roadbrute combo on Feb 10. Heres what I spec'd. ~$35,000. Supposed to weight 10,700lbs.
Sorry, I don;t know how to post the pic, but here's a link...click "alternative views, then look for "CFD 900 with lowered deck"
http://www.wilsontrailer.com/flatbed...te/index.html#
>48 or 53? or other?
53 because we required it.
>Length of top deck?
Not sure you have much choice. Think that depends on the mfg.
>Dove tail?
That's a tough one. I like the beaver tail ramps that convert the trailer into a full 43' lower deck when flipped up. But, IIRC, it adds about $3500 to the cost of the trailer. In the end we decided to use the ramps we already have.
>Steel frame or combo comp?
Combo for durability and weight.
>What type of floor?
Aluminum for weight, but they can be damaged.
>Fixed spread or sliding?
Must be sliding if you want an 10' spread AND want to run all states and provinces. Sliding axle adds about $3500 to the price tag IIRC.
>Container locks?
Naww. Containers don't pay squat.
>Recessed Chain ties? (not sure if there standard)
$24/per pair...we ordered 10 pair.
>Kingpin location? 18,24,36
We ordered 24...with the 36 we were worried about the truck hitting the trailer. 18 would have been OK except we were already fighting to keep the kingpin distance (trailer wheelbase) legal in as many states as possible.
>Coil package?
Naww. Coils are heavy and don't pay squat either.
>Ideal weight?
Whatever all your specs get you.
>Anything else throw it in there but please state why.
We, like Gman prefer the large rims because of the tires and brakes. With the small tires you should really have a tridem and then you 're getting into more cost and weight. We purchased a Wilson RoadBrute CFD 900 because they have a model with a 36" deck (instead of the standard 41"). They accomplish this by poking the tops of the tires through the deck.
Call each and every state and province and double check their laws regarding dimensions. That is the biggest headache. Most states require no more than 41' from KP to center of AXLES, however, CA requires 41' to center of rear AXLE (big difference). MD requires 43' to center of rear AXLE. To be legal in CA with a 53 requires a whopping 10' of rear overhang.
MOST, if not all states allow 40,000 on the rear axles if you have a 10' spread. Under 6' and you only get 34,000. IIRC, all provinces west of Ontario only allow 22,000lbs (11,000 each) if you are bigger than a tandem spread. AND, anything over a 6' spread requires a permit.
:roll:
With regard to axle weights, western Canada and the US have went in totally opposite directions.
My ultimate SD would be a screaming deal on a used $8000 48 but failing that it would be a 53 combo with a beaver tail, 22.5" rims, sliding winches, wide load lights, and a sliding rear axle that went from a 10' spread to a TANDEM (not 72") spread for western Canada. Don't even know if they make one. Axles would be positioned (CA legal) so the rear axle is 41' from Kp when in tandem spread (10' overhang). Don't know exactly what dimensions a tandem spread is, but it probably works out that the rear axle will slide ~6' to achieve the 10' spread (4' overhang)[/quote]
Good luck finding someone to build that trailer.