Question for flatbedders-
 

What type and size/brand truck and trailers do you use? Specifically, how long a wheelbase, and are you happy with it?
Spread axle or closed tandems?

Considering truck purchase, and I'd like to know what others are using.

Thanks,
Jeff

KW's.

1995 T600 with 410 hp N14 Cummins. Good truck once we got the injector issue sorted out.
1998 T800 with 370 hp M11 Cummins. When I was driving this truck I was getting 6.5 mpUSg. However we bought it used and we've put two head gaskets on it in 100,000 miles.
2001 T2000 with C15 475 hp Cat. Lots of room inside but the truck rattles and shakes the space shuttle on re-entry. No problems with the engine whatsoever. And alternator. That's it.
2005 T2000 with 475 HP C15 Cat. So far it's the same as the 2001. No complaints except for the the whole lot of skakin going on in the cab.
2008 T660 with 485 hp ISX Cummins. Truck is ok but engine is biggest POS ever built. EGR valves. Bad mileage. Doser valves. Egr coolers. Turbos. Junk.

1995 Reitnouer 48' all aluminum step deck w/41' wheel base and 10'-1" fixed spread. Both main beams cracked. We fixed it and keep using it. Paid ~$14,000 IIRC. No complaints.
1996 Kalyn 48' mechanical detachable. 29' well and the wheel base is ~43' IIRC. 5' spread. Paid $14,000 then spent ~$2500 on new cross members. No complaints. She's a money maker.
1996 Scheltema 53' non detachable double drop. 6' spread. No complaints except I wish it was a detachable.
1999 Lode King 48' Combo step w/41' wheel base and 10'-1" fixed spread. Paid $10,000. no complaints.
2003 Reid 53' non detachable double drop. 6' spread. No complaints excet I widd it was a detachable.
2007 Wilson 53' Combo step w/ 41' wheel base and 10'1 fixed spread. Paid $43,000. No complaints except they are too much damn money.

The type of truck/trailer really depends on YOUR preference and what you may be hauling and where you'll be going. If you go into Canada, then you need the short wb and I believe all but the western side does not allow a spread over 8'. (don't quote me on that as I do not run Canada)

I have an 06 Pete 379 with a C-15 CAT (been bumped up to 500hp) & 270wb. My Trailer is a 03 Transcraft 48'x96" spread. they do the job and I am happy with them except one thing......I want and wish I had a 102" trailer.

Truck: 1984 Pete 359 w/400hp Cat, 240" wheelbase, 3.90 rears, 18 speed trans.
Trailer: 2005 Fontaine Infinity SX, Combo. 48x102 Spread axle. Headboard and one toolbox.

Things I am working towards: Aluminum wheels and another tool box on trailer, (should still weigh the same). Eventually an all aluminum trailer but I'm holding out until I can afford exactly what I want.

Truck: I go back and forth to much to post really, especially after looking in truck paper the other day. :lol:

Do you have any freight? That is the question that you need to answer if you are planning on buying anything right now, especially a flat bed. Rates are very hit and miss, along with the freight. There is some automotive moving right now, but that will probably dry up rather shortly. And the better paying stuff calls for a conestoga kit on the flat. If you are going to do it, go as light weight as possible on the tractor and trailer, and go with a 48' x 102".

And on the tractor, look to get an APU installed, because you will more than likely do allot of sitting.

Don't waste your money on a conestoga unless its to benefit you! The rates are no different (in my area) for a conestoga or regular sidekit. Anyhow, the customer is gonna go with the guy whos cheapest and theres to many bigger companies that will cut a rate just to move a truck.

If your gonna run all over the country, you'd be much better off with a 48'x102", but your not going to make enough money per mile to constitute having the trailer. Your mpg's will be lower with a 48'x102" so keep that in mind! If your pulling an open flat it might not be as much of a loss as it would be with a sidekit. A conestoga would probably be the best option with that trailer but your gonna lose in your lightweight.

If you build a lightweight outfit, it isn't gonna last as long or you'll be doing alot of work to make it last.

Personally, I wouldn't own a 48'x102" unless I got it really, really, really cheap or I had freight that would pay me enough to have it, and we all know that isn't gonna happen.

We had a couple of conestogas, Canadians loved them, but we were doing some high dollar stuff that you could not reasonably tarp. Also, towards the end, the conestoga did not matter much as the rates even for the high end freight had fallen to general freight rates. But yet they were still being requested to cross the border. But, there was just not enough freight and the rates had pretty much collapsed.

Why bother going through the hassle of crossing the border along with carrying 3 mill in insurance to lose money? But, I did find that the 102" width did help with some of the items I did haul, like some pretty good size dies. Also, one thing regarding the conestogas, they are great for quick turnarounds, strap and roll...

Good luck, but make sure you have the freight to justify the purchase. If you are going to rely on load boards or one broker, don't even waste your money. Just my .02 and be careful.

Thanks for all the good advice. At this point I think we will keep the trucks we have, and add a reefer trailer to diversify. We have 2 older kw tractors, and a 42x96 all aluminum flat and a 45x95 combo flat. Not the best setup ever, but all paid for. By adding a reefer, we will be able to haul more freight. My partner is an excellent mechanic, so we don't have to worry about huge repair bills.

Rank, I got a couple of questions about this detach.

Is this (and what's better) a tandem or tridem?
How can a wheelbase be over 41'?
What would be a typical load for a trailer like this? An excavator? A dozer? A tank?
What's better: a mechanical detach or a hydraulic?

Thanks.