hauling bus parts

johns4104 · July 19, 2009, 06:00:19 PM

I am thinking about getting a dry van (semi trailer) to move across country.
I want to pull it behind my freightliner FL-60 it has hydraulic brakes but also air suspension.
I will have to figure out some type of valving for the air brakes of course.
I was wondering what the dry weight of say a 40 to 45 for dry van is.
My truck weighs 12k the cgvw is 35k but to stay below cdl the combined weight is 26k.
I considered a 5th wheel race trailer or something but the dry vans are soo much cheaper!

what do you guys think?
John

jackhartjr · July 19, 2009, 07:02:21 PM

I assume your truck is a single axle in the rear. That means you are trying to stop up to 35,000 with 4 brakes on the truckand they are hydraulic which means on a long downgrade they COULD heat to the point of being no brakes.
I am not sure how you would interface the brakes.
Your trailer will weigh about 8,000 pounds up.
What engine do you have in the FL60, if I remember that is a medium duty truck.
Not trying to be a nay-sayer here...however...the older I get the more I am finding that I need the right tools for the job!
Jack

belfert · July 19, 2009, 07:19:28 PM

I seem to recall a 53' dry van weighs in the range of 12,000 to 14,000 lbs so a smaller dry van will probably weigh 10,000 lbs or more. The two manufacturer websites I looked at do not have weights listed.

You're going to have almost no remaining capacity for cargo to stay under 26,000 lbs. Aren't the CDL limits based on GWV anyhow and a dry van is going to have a GVW well over 26,000 before the FL-60 is even considered?

johns4104 · July 19, 2009, 07:41:25 PM

Jack,
I have a 8.3 cummins in the FL-60 the exhaust brake was all i used towing my parts 4104 17k weight and no problems.
8k trailer weight would probably be ok.

Thanks,
John, I just thinking of Ideas!

luvrbus · July 19, 2009, 08:00:16 PM

John, I think a beverage trailer would work for you I have saw those with vacuum over hyd brakes with tandem axle with 16 inch tires also saw them with a single axle and 22.5 tires. goggle beverage trailers and see what you can find. good luck

TexasBorderDude · July 19, 2009, 08:10:24 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on July 19, 2009, 08:00:16 PM
.... goggle beverage trailers and see what you can find. good luck

Better yet, drink a beverage and google anything! hehehehe!

dg

DaveG · July 20, 2009, 11:33:56 AM

Problem #1 is, as already stated, that with the tare/empty weight of the two vehicles you will not have much (if any) capacity for cargo.
#2 Some states view the truck/trailer as it is rated, not what you are actually carrying or loaded to so be sure you check with the states you plan on traveling to

#3 braking interface issues (operating air braked trailer from a hydraulic braked tow vehicle

I think you should look at some other type of trailer than an over the road 40/45 semi...especially as many of these cheaper/older trailers may need some work to be road ready, along with tires.

If you have specific questions related to over the road trailers, email me <david@reddingtrailer.com> and I'll be glad to help.

Good luck!

johns4104 · July 20, 2009, 05:46:55 PM

Thanks for the info guys.
I think I will look for a 5th wheel cargo type trailer.
Electric brakes, lower loading height and lighter trailer to begin with.

John

DaveG · July 20, 2009, 06:09:30 PM

Attaboy!

Had a customer stopped at the scales the other day pulling a tandem axle (16" tires) dump trailer and since it was rated on the vin tag as a 12,000gvw trailer, they told the driver he needed a class A license, whether or not is was loaded to capacity or not.