Well that can't be the problem.

But I thought they said the problem was with you having a sliding tarp on a step? If the spread is the issue, the slider has nothing to do with it.

-Do all they're flats have a 10' spread?
-What do the other drivers do when they are over axle?
-And another thing....I thought you ran western Canada for these guys and that was the whole idea behind you buying the closed spread in the first place. They can't have it both ways.....either you spec a trailer for the US or you spec a trailer for Canada.

I can't make any sense of this (scratching head).

 

When I talked to the guy responsible for trailer specking at MacKinnon, they recommended to have a sliding front axle on the dropdeck, so that I could go to Alberta. Then I talked to Trailers Canada and it became clear this wasn't a good setup: such a trailer would cost more and weigh more. So, I decided to make it a short fixed spread and Trailers Canada suggested a 61" spread.

All company flatbed trailers have a fixed 10'1" spread. I'm probably the only platform with a short spread. I'm not sure what they do when they're overweight on the rear axles, because they all can carry 40,000 lbs.

I too hoped to make the big bucks by doing runs to Alberta but now Dispatch is saying they're not sending trucks there because "you'd wait a week for a return load and it pays 80 cents per mile".

Basically, after thinking about this constantly, and looking at various trailers and checking their specs, I too begin to think that the problem is not in the trailer but in Dispatch and their lanes.

I searched on Google for other transport companies that have trailers similar to mine (dropdecks with a sliding tarp) and I hit a goldmine when I used "MACHINERY TRANSPORT" as search words. Check out the description of equipment/trailers used by one of such companies called "Machine Transport" based in Kirkland, WA.

"Trailers/Equipment

Step Decks (Drop Decks)

Common deck size is 48', with some trailer 53' in length. The deck have two heights with the first 10' usually higher and the remaining deck at 40" off the ground. This trailer is typically able to load equipment with heights up to 10' 8" in some Western states, and 10' 2" in all other states without requiring permits ...

Flat Beds

Trailer lengths of 45' to 48' that can accommodate long load requiring a consistent bed height and loading at 56" off the ground.

Double Drops

These trailers are used for loads of heights above 10'2 and up to 12'6 due to the low profile of the trailer bed. This equipment is also used to handle heavy loads that stipulate multiple axels to spread out the weight.

Lowboys / RGN

Removable Goose Necks (RGN) assist in loading construction equipment, trailers or other loads requiring to be driven onto the trailer.

Vans

These trailers are covered and provide excellent protection for equipment that is small enough to load within the van. This typically is palletized or skidded equipment and must not exceed the width or height of the van."

What's interesting to me about the above description is that their OPEN STEPDECKS can take loads "up to 10'2" without permits". My Conestoga tarp dropdeck has a USABLE inside height of ... 120" or 10'. Which is not a big difference. So, I'm pretty much can do what these guys do with an open stepdeck.

Of course a 10'1" spread would be a plus in certain situations but then I wouldn't be able to go to Western Canada.

 

I think I should just save some dough and instead of changing the trailer get an Ontario authority and market myself as expedite machinery transport for Ontario only runs (to start). I could probably do at least one run a week while staying at MacKinnon. This way I could sneak in a automotive plant machine, 120" tall, up to 47,000 lbs, $10/mile, out of Toronto into London on my day off, for example, and then do the customary aluminum log flatbed load into Ohio at $2/mi for MacKinnon.

The question is what to do about the DOT lettering on the side of the truck and my MacKinnon license plate...

 

i dont think they would like that because im sure somewhere in your lease there is a stipulation that says you cant do that. and also mackinnon might consider that to be double dipping. and also you would hate for some company offical to say hey there goes tracer ( your truck and trailer stand out)and then they see a different name amd numbers on the side of your truck. oh and dont forget about all the insurance and liability that could come down on you should something happen.

if i were you i would keep that trailer and look for a company that can get you the loads and rates that your trailer calls fors and deserves as a specialized piece of equipment.

or i would go ahead and swap to an open step deck with a spread and silding axle and try to work with mackinnon and if that fails still get the trailer and look for a smaller compnay that specializes and LTL cross-borded step deck freight. in most cases the smaller company will actually care about you and your investment and try to keep you rolling.(look up a company called kaiser transport out of wi, and rollin transport also from wi, and primer transport from ca, i think they do the kind of work that you want to do.)

the biggest problem i see your are having with mackinnon is that they dont specialize in any kind of flatbed freight. they kinda take any thing that fits. in that environment your trailer hurts more than it helps. its not so much that stepdeck and constogas dont mix, its that your at a place that has almost no need for them. and since your about the only one with one their not very interested in finding freight just for you.
Hope this helps!!!
oh and i love the blog.

 

I don't think I signed anything like that. It's just that it might be difficult to pull off logistics wise. If I were to do something like this, I'd try to find my own shippers/brokers for this "part-time activity", so that I don't infringe on their clients.

i'm waiting to hear from my tarp leasing company on how much they want to do a discounted "trade-up" and from the milton, on trailer dealer on the trailer/tarp trade-in value ... i'll probably be too much upside down.

I think that's what it is. If you were a load planner at MacKinnon responsible for 50 FLATBED trucks and you're used to hauling lumber, drywall an aluminum, you probably won't be too thrilled with having a sliding tarp stepdeck that has a 61" axle spread and doesn't carry load levelers

thank you

 

You can't have your own authority and be leased to a carrier, at least not here in the US, if you are running their base plate you can't use it for anything but working for them. You MUST have your own base plate and insurance, $750,000 minumin liablility, I'd imagine machinery companies would want 1 million liability

In your lease is an exclusive use clause, its in all of them, its the "fine print" look for it.

 

So what's the problem exactly? I don't see the slider as being a huge problem, since you mostly run cross border anyways. I haven't really had a problem with my 72" spread. Only one load was a problem but it wouldn't have been legal with a 10' spread anyways.

Any side deal would have to be under your current contract. In other words you find the load but forward it to Mackinnon and they do all the billing plus give you your cut.

 

I did lose a couple of loads that were heavy near the trailer wheels (my spread is 61", pretty much like yours) but then they found me another load right away. No big deal ... So, I don't know ... the best paying shipper here that sends out electric machines to Texas hardly loads more than 20,000 lbs.

Also, the inside USABLE height at the main deck is 120" which is almost as good as on any open step.

Here's a response from our load planner when I asked them why they can't find machinery and equipment loads.

"I understand you got that trailer with the hopes of us filling it with unique freight, however the majority of our freight is quoted - by Sales Department - as 47,000 to 48,000 lbs and for flat, step and or roll tight. We do not at this time have any customers that require only step deck roll tights. We do have customers that require roll tight trailers, but I believe you say "they do not pay enough". You really should consider putting your load levelers back on as you are minimizing the freight you can haul. As always I will do my best to find loads that suite your trailer. "

I'm at the lower end of that "weight band": I can take - fully fueled - 47,000 lbs. If I switch to aluminum drive wheels, that'd be 47,200 lbs.... I think I should buy the load levelers again so that they stop their complaining.

Just came back from KY with a load of scrap hoppers and coils. Tomorrow I'm picking up some plastic sheets. 95% of what I haul is flatbed freight

 

I plugged my lease numbers into an online loan calculator today. It turns out my financial company is charging me 16% (!) a year for this Conestoga sliding tarp. These people are nuts. To put things into perspective, I'm paying:

1.75% on a $100,000 apartment in Canada
10% on a $65,000 truck
10% on a $38,000 trailer

BUT

16% on a $21,000 Conestoga!

There was no financial disclosure statement in the lease contract (no cost of borrowing or info about fees etc.) So I emailed our Ministry of Consumer Affairs to see if they can help me terminate the lease early. The chances are slim but you never know. I was prepared to keep the Conestoga but 16% is daytime robbery. My credit is not that bad.

 

let me ask you this... did you come down 81 in pa this afternoon? I think i saw you, and a few seconds later i hit the cb saying "hey tracer, what you doin' down here?" but no reply. It was just above scranton, but not at the FJ yet... I was heading north to rochester... lol

you're truck is definetly unique. I swear i saw you... lol

lmk