GAmes

This subject is beaten to death on a regular basis. There is a current string right now. Bottom line is check with your local DMV for drivers license and registration requirements for your state and a DOT weigh master for regs concerning axle weights, DL req, etc if you want to operate interstate.

oilfield-trash

I have my truck/trailer combo registered at 37,500. HOw often do I pull that much weight? Never. That is too much weight for a 1 ton or a 4500 to haul on a regular basis. If anyone tells you different - they are wrong. Been doing the hot shot thing for 10 years now and the weight you want to haul is too heavy for a 1 ton.

You can get a good used single axle tractor for less than a new dodge CTD.

That engine is 15,000lbs. I took one to OK city and brought one back to Corpus. Ive hauled heavier but thats usually about my "safe" limit. Its not that you can't pull it, it's can you "stop" it.

ChicagoSnow

I understand and thank you for your insight.

Can you lead me in a particular direction to find a reliable single axle tractor and flatbed trailer?

If you can pass along any particular models, manufacturer's, needed options, weight capacities, price range, average annual repair/maintenance costs, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

Thank's again,

Joe

oilfield-trash

here's a start.

http://www.trucker.com/Trucks.aspx?E...=350&HPMax=350

rich

fl 70 or fl 80

Got Juice?

We own a Freightliner M2 for that purpose. Daycab.
We have the low power/hi torque 260/880 MB/DD engine with the Allison HS3500 6 speed auto, arens control touchdrive, 5.22 rear gears.

Unloaded, 15mpg all day long. Loaded to legal max insured we see 11.5-12 US mpg.

Truck has been good, but it is partial to Dello and Rotella oils. Running anything else, and mileage is in the toilet, and analysis shows glazing. With Rotella and dllo, there is less burn off.

We have over 100K miles, and just regular LOF.s put fuel in the hole and go!

Reliable trucks. Even with the EGR ours has been remarkably economical to own.

Brand new and loaded (all power options, dual susp seats, air, cruise, tilt/tele, pwr locks windos morrors, heated mirrors, etc etc) it was only 68K CDN out the door.

The best part is anyone with a standard drivers license can drive it. Brakes are air over hydraulic.

Bonshawman

ChicagoSnow:

I have an FL70 which has a 23K# rear and a 12K# front. It has a fifth wheel, a gooseneck hitch and a receiver hitch. Single axle, sleeper. Cummins & 6spd. Great truck.

I haul my 45' flatdeck equipment hauler (weighs around 9K#) and my 25' flatdeck equipment hauler (weighs around 6.5K#).

The 45' and 25' transfer different weights to the pin, as the bridge length (distance between forward trailer axle and FL70 axle) is different. Pin weight will have an effect on total weight you can haul.

When I hook either the 45' or the 25' to the FL70, the TRAILER AXLE RATING (2 axles @ 10K# each) become the limiting factor. With transfer I can put a full 20K# on the trailer legally.

I find the trailer rated @ 35K# or 36K# interesting in that it has two 15K# axles (rated). So the maximum capacity one can place on the two axles combined is 30K#. How do they account for rating it above the combined weakest link ?

I also have a Dodge 3500 4x4 quad cab DRW w/hauler bed, CTD & 6spd. I have a PAC exhaust brake. I haul the 25' all day - no problems, and I on (rare) occasion will do a short run with 18K# on it. But I go to the FL70 for distance loads or heavier loads, it has 150 gal of fuel and really big brakes.

Both the 3500 and the FL70 get around the same MPG, both have PAC exhaust brakes, both have 6spd, both have Cummins.

I bought the FL70 used (but in wonderful shape with lots of bells and whistles) for under 30K, so if you find a good one, price will be about that of a decent used 1 ton, depending on your area, etc. Lots of good deals on 1 tons these days as well.

GAmes

At the normal 20%, pin weight of a 35k load would be 7K.

ChicagoSnow

Thanks.......

I greatly appreciate your insight!

Joe

Number47

you may be legal weight wise but are you legal width wise??

RAMRODD

I am when I have orange flag in each corner and my flashing light on the cab roof. Got a ticket for not having that 1 time
Nothing over width is legal at night.

ponyboy123

I am in kind of the same boat. I purchased a 2009 5500 C/C and a Freisen 25 foot 24,000 lb trailer.
Truck can haul 21,500 lbs
Trailer can haul 24,000 lbs
That is 45,500 lbs.
Truck weighs about 8,000 lbs
Trailer weighs about 7,000 lbs
That is 15,000 lbs
Means I should be able to leagaly and safely haul 30,000 lbs of product. Would I put 30,000 lbs on it. Not unless I had too. Going is one problem, stopping is another. I check brakes adjustment, tire pressure and oil levels on hubs every week and change the brakes and bearings every year whether they need it on not. So far the truck has stranded me 3 times. Once a universal jiont, once the transfercase broke right off of the transmission and right now it is in the shop with a crack in the transmission casing. I haul 24,000lbs of product 250 miles every second day for 6 months of the year. Then I drop the trailer and I haul 8,000 lbs twice a week for the other 6 months. My question is am I pushing this 5500 too hard, or did I just fall victim to fate and all of these problems have been caused by the original u joint problem?

Colo_River_Ram

Ponyboy,

What type of brakes does your goose have? and by 24k is that 2- 10k axles with 4k to the pin?

My 42' GN has 2 - 12k HD axles with elec/hyd disc brakes.. stopping (loaded) is no problem my setup is used more off-road than on.. my biggest problem is keeping the dang tubing on the GN when hill climbing..

ponyboy123

Electric brakes on all 4 wheels of 2 10k axels with 4k to the pin. Loaded the truck stops well, just a matter of how you approach the situation you are in. I am never in a rush, I give myself lots of room and most of my driving is on the twinned highway half at nite and half through the day.

ponyboy123

Okay, got the truck back, just finished hooking up the trailer, loaded it with empty bins. I leave tonite for a smaller load, bout 20,000lbs. I`ll let yall know how it works out......