User Tag List

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 02-02-2011, 04:59 PM
tracer's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,316
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default Spec'ing a TRIdem stepdeck

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.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]673[/ATTACH]

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.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 105022-Dynaweld_(1)01.jpg (20.6 KB, 17 views)
__________________

Watch my YouTube videos

Last edited by tracer; 02-02-2011 at 05:39 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-02-2011, 05:31 PM
bikerboy's Avatar
Board Regular
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Southern Ontario Canada
Posts: 280
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-02-2011, 05:34 PM
tracer's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,316
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bikerboy View Post
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.
__________________

Watch my YouTube videos
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-02-2011, 05:49 PM
allan5oh's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: jackassville (winnipeg, mb)
Posts: 3,280
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-02-2011, 05:53 PM
allan5oh's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: jackassville (winnipeg, mb)
Posts: 3,280
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tracer View Post
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.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-02-2011, 06:08 PM
Walking Eagle's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In my own little world, that rides right behind the cab.
Posts: 615
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default

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.
__________________
Wondering about my crop of chickens, don't seem to be growing. Think maybe I planted them to deep.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-02-2011, 07:48 PM
Heavy Duty's Avatar
Board Regular
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 414
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-02-2011, 07:57 PM
allan5oh's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: jackassville (winnipeg, mb)
Posts: 3,280
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Walking Eagle View Post
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.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-02-2011, 11:44 PM
tracer's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,316
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by allan5oh View Post
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.
__________________

Watch my YouTube videos
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-02-2011, 11:49 PM
tracer's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,316
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default

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.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]674[/ATTACH]
Attached Images
File Type: jpg wilson94.jpg (55.4 KB, 19 views)
__________________

Watch my YouTube videos
Reply With Quote
Reply





Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT. The time now is 05:11 PM.


User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.