have you ever considered hauling an open auto transport? i have of a buddy who has a pretty steady lane from the Midwest to flordia and back>

Allan has been giving you god info. Gman makes a good point about those 17.5" brakes and tires. My way around that was to buy the extra low deck from Wilson. Bought a new one in 2008. Liked it enough to buy another in 2011. Do a search on my posts
for "wilson". Good luck finding a used one though. There was 20 FS at one point but they wanted enough that it was better to buy new. One thing about trailers is they hold their value well. i suspect that's why Landstar (and Merrick :)) leases trucks and buys trailers.

You're lucky if you have manufacturers close to you. If it were me, I think I would approach these folks and ask then about what trailers they require. I don't think you can go wrong buy buying an RGN and a step. No need to break the bank....$10,000 should buy a 48' steel step with a 121" fixed spread. You can get a 48' tandem mechanical RGN for $15K if you are patient and maybe visit some auctions.

As for the third axle. You will lose some loads h a tandem RGN, but you can get by without one. One option is to get a trailer that is set up for the "pin on 3rd" and get one later. Bottom line though is buy the best trailer you can get a deal on.

Keep your equipment costs down = competitive rates and those manufacturers will be calling you in no time.

End Dumps

Read Tracer's story about having a step

Just to drop in my .02, my neighboor just bought a brand new Retinour SD and he had them make the front axle a lift. He said it added 300lbs and was about $2,500 extra but he gained almost 1mpg and he also said it makes it very easy to back w/o tearing up tires.

Looks like I’m getting a 2012 Reitnouer 53’ DropMiser on 19.5s (37” deck), sliding 121” spread with a lift axle and the cross members set at 12” on center as opposed to the standard 15” for a little added strength. Advertised weight is roughly 10,500 lbs, which means I should be able to scale 48k and 49k if I manage my fuel.

As with most things, this trailer is a series of compromises that should allow me to haul the widest variety of freight.

Now, anybody looking for a 2006 Carrier Ultima XTC reefer? I’m taking bids.

Sounds like a good trailer, remember to always keep a spare tire.

Help Pick the Accessories
 

Now, I have a week or two to buy and install a headache rack and buy all the necessary accoutrements for freight securement. I know that the number and kinds of securement devices will depend on what I’ll be hauling, but right now that is undetermined. I think this trailer has a mini coil package, and with the closer cross members, I expect I can easily haul coils if the need arises. Other than that, I will be hauling whatever pays and will fit on the trailer. Below is a list of items (supplied by a friend) that contains much of what I’ll need to get a good start. I would welcome any suggested additions, deletions or corrections in numbers of each item that any of you experienced step-deckers and flat-bedders may have to offer.


Ratchet Binder (6)
Lever Binder (6)
Straps 4"x30' (15)
Chains 3/8 x 20 G-70 6600 WLL (9)
Chains 3/8 x 25 G-70 6600 WLL (3)
Tarps 16x27 (3)
Smoke tarp (1)
Tarps coils 16x16 4" drop 40lbs (2)
Tarp Strap/bungies 21" 50-pr box (1)
Tarp Straps/bungies 31" 50-pr box (1)
Edge protector steel (chains) (24)
Edge protector plastic (straps) (24)
Misc v-boards 1x4 (10)
Misc 4x4 dunage (4)
Wench bar (1)
Lever pipe 1"x4' (1)
Headache rack (1)



I guess colummns aren't possible :(

I plan on it. I'm getting tire inflators installed on the trailer as well. I've had them on my reefer for the last 15 months and love them. I imagine I can look forward to a lot more nails pulling a stepdeck :o

You know, I’ve tried that, but it seems almost schizophrenic… sorry Tracer, if you’re reading this. Not that HE is schizo, just seemed like every other day he was making some radical, very expensive and always financed modification, which is not my style. I might make small changes (with cash) and see what that does for at least a few months, but not massive things with no reasonable expectation that I’ll see a good and relatively quick ROR.