Taking A Look At This Trailer, Thoughts?

http://kerrbilt.com/page/1486_2?productID=729&


This is a video of a similar trailer: https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/s...4&action=click

I am 250 miles from container yards where I can buy 20 foot and 40 foot containers for decent prices with a broker, since I would be a continuing customer. $2200 typical on a good condition 40, and those sell for $3,300 up here. Plus, I would be really interested in leasing them out, or rent to own...plus maybe doing custom conversions on containers. Lots of options.

So back to the trailer....I really screwed the pooch in a way when I traded down to gas...but I can get exact payoff on my new truck within this week, less the tag, if I upgrade to a dually 3500 diesel 4x4. The trailer with 12,000# axles and a winch runs the cost to $20,500...trading in a 30' tandem dual gooseneck, so final cost would be $15,000. Cost me $11,000 to upgrade back to a diesel dually.

Now....besides containers, with this trailer, I can probably safely haul our telehandlers. 24,000#, and any of our lifts, even the 60 foot boom, 20,000#.....

Then dump my semi tractor and trailer, plus a 48 foot storage van, since I would be able to move it again, and save enough on insurance to pay the higher tags on the 1 ton.

Sound like a plan? Anyone see a better way to do this?

The current transport.

A lot of trailer for the money. What brand axles and suspension ?

Warner I believe. Spring suspension, and it has an upgrade to air brakes and bags, but I would like to get out of the semi.

All I know, is last fall, I hauled the CAT 416 behind a Dodge on a pintle hitch 2 axle, and electric brakes suck.

Maybe instead of ditching the gas truck, just buy a dedicated 1 Ton cab and chassis truck. Base Model to keep it cheap.
Dunno, just throwing ideas out.

Interesting tip system, is that common?

There is a version I like better, the axle group slides...all the way forward and the trailer deck is on the ground low angle. Axles slide back, and normal deck height. But more costly.

I am kind of trying to reduce expenses. I wanted the smoother ride, and I like the 2500 gas truck...but this kind of came up suddenly.

There is a downside to running a dually tagged at 54,000#. I will have to put my DOT numbers on the side, and get E-Logs. Also, no firearms in a commercial vehicle regardless of concealed carry. And only CDL drivers....

Or I may get the trailer in a step deck configuration, and use the Semi to haul. Fuel mileage sucks on the M11 Cummins....5 mpg empty or loaded.

looks like a very cool setup...

interesting, dam near the same costs for a container here.

Wasn't sure about your motivations. I've had 3/4 ton diesels most of my adult life. Last truck I bought new I swore would be my last. It's 2015 Ram 2500, and now that my wife is picking out an RV, I'm like "Dammit, I'm gonna have to get a 1 ton."

Containers cost the same here, delivered. But we are ~110 miles from the port they are coming from.

Moving it only costs $350. Same for equipment. As soon as you add up our truck, trailer, insurance, license, maintenance, payroll, etc, its cheaper to pay someone else than do it in house. But it is only a couple times a year for us.

I am looking at adding containers to my business. I have 3 now, and I move them with a gooseneck trailer, and it is a PITA.

It makes sense if I will be buying like 4 or 5 a month, and hauling them, plus moving them for others here, especially if I short term rent or lease them. The rate here is quoted at $500 a month to rent them (oil filed prices). The other side is moving my equipment on a new trailer that is easier on the lifts.

Who do you have to move them for that?

I wanted a container but couldn't find anybody to move it. I called a few trucking companies and they all said if I had a crane to put on their flat bed they would haul it.

if you get a gooseneck with two 12k axles, you wont be able to put a telehandler on it
trailer wont have enough payload

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Obviously. But in realty, it is done all the time. The next step is 20k axles. Then you pay the heavy use FET. $3,000 last time I priced a standard low boy.

In reality, the 12k axles will do fine. The oil field trucking companies around here are using the oil bath 12k axles and have no real issues with them, other then brakes. Also my choice of upgrade is the hydraulic disc brakes.

I think it is kind of interesting they will allow us to tag a dually for 54,000# in my opinion. But....I may go ahead with doing the trailer with a step deck and fifth wheel plate, setting it up on my semi instead of the dually. Going with air brakes. Bouncing the ideas out there. I trust air brakes...I have never pulled any trailer with electric brakes that I trusted or felt safe with. Ever.

very true, a tandem dual 12k axle set up will haul the lift just fine.
just not sure how often you run into the dot around you
I was looking into one with two 15k axles, wasn't much more money

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I am really amazed that you can legally tag a dual rear wheel 1 ton for 54,000lbs.

Based on the maximum vehicle weight, 12k axles are fine.

I do not remember Kerr saying anything about 15k axles as an option, but when you get to 20s, you get the heavy road use tax, or whatever it is called.

What 1 ton has a GCWR of 50k?

None. But you can tag one for it. The state doesn't care.

And this works like this: It is based on axles, how many and how far apart.

You are allowed like 16k for the front, 20k for the drive, and 36k for the tandem duals.

In theory, you can get #72,000 just like that.

In reality, you cannot, safely, but you look at the weight the truck is rated to pull. Plus the maximum it is rated at gross weight and go from there. To make it work in a less then class 7 or 8 truck, you would need to be at the 4500 or 5500 Dodge, or whatever your flavor is. The Dodge is rated at pulling like 24,000 lbs with no modifications.

DOT apparently doesn't care because the oil fields are teaming with 3500s pulling tandem dual goosenecks in hot shot applications.