Question:
can we scale out a 45,000 lb. load with doubles set-up ---- single axle volvo licensed for 80,000 lbs. --- anybody other than daytrader welcome to respond
I am just a rookie asking for guidance

Answer:

I feel like M M here but....
Before you start yanking 45 k in doubles
(you dont have to answer here)
just how much experience do you have with doubles?
are the trailers rated to haul that kind of weight?
How old are the trailers?
did they ever see the kind of weight you propose?
when was the last time the tractor had to pull 45000?
how are the cross members?
look at each cross member ansd see if they are firmly bolted to trailer
look at bolts and see if they are flush or are a few "pulled in" leaving an indentation (not good)
how are the torque rods(if you have them)
how about the bushings?
if you are running recaps have they seen this kind of weight?
hauling light stuff in a trailer will not show a lot of problems will mask many flaws in the trailer
you put a big load on there and anything can happen
this is a bad idea getr yourself a 40 or 45 footer
good luck
theres a lot more to it than can I scale 45K and be care ful of the advice you get here

Answer:

It would be dang close. Depends on what your net weight is. Do you know what the unladen weight of the vehical, dolly and trailers are?
I would think you should be able to. I have no experiance with a volvo single axle and have no clue what they weigh.
Our Sterlings can pull a 27,500 and a 20,000 and we are right at 79,980.
Pulling doubles is much easier then it looks. You do have to watch you safty aspects. Make sure all is hooked and in line. Make sure the heavy trailer is up front.
After years of pulling long boxes. I was leary of pulling doubles. Till I did it and I love them. They handle better, turn better and tighter. They even ride good.
I would get the tare weight of your units.

Answer:

one trailer is a 95 and the other is an 89 --- 8 recaps on the entire "setup" ---- the shop that does our work and did the dot inspections said they are solid trailers --- I have been been moving furniture for 18 years (started at 20 currently 3 --- I know don't feel sorry for me --- while I don't have experience with doubles or experience with hauling 45K in weight --- I am an experienced driver ---- so I have decided to steer away from loads over 40K ------
please pray for me

Answer:

daytrader -- when you are at 79,880 does the dot ever give you a hard time about one or any of the axles being overloaded?

Answer:

No, we scale our trailers anytime they are over 20k. The dot should not mess with you as long as you are under the axle laws.
I have noticed that many do not watch and look for 34 not over 20.
even then. If they do watch the set weight. They are looking for over axle. 12 or 16 depending on you state. then 20, 20, 20, 20. You could see how one could get away with it. If they are watching or the driver is dumb. You could see how a 92k unit could go right by or get called in.
It has been my experiance. Very few times have I had to scale a set. The by pass normally lets me go. EVEN WHEN I AM OVER WEIGHT.

Answer:

daytrader is talking about 2 matched,and spec'd 28 1/2 102 trailers that are replaced with even better engineered equipment.
From what I gather you have a 28 96 trailer a dolly of unknown origin, and a drop deck.
when Daytrader puts on the brakes he will stop and when he looks in the mirror the pups will be in line. He operates A+ equipment
do you have any idea how your set will stop? with a load?
are all your hoses the same diameter?
are the valves the same so the air will be distributed the same?
you have a drop deck and a regular trailer will the center of gravity be an issue?
the only reason I am on your case is because after all your posts over the months you still have to ask this question about 45k
this means to me that you are not getting help from people experienced in your home 20 and are not trained to haul pups.
getting positive feedback here is not enough especially if you go ahead and operate the equipment you bought

Answer:

caboverpete -- all of your responses make sense to me and you have brought up some good things that I did not even consider --(such as diameter of air hoses) We lucked out on this run (our 1st with doubles) we hauled about 20k from Iowa to Virginia and then reloaded 25K in Virginia headed back to des moines Iowa as of today --- a very good paying run --- before we took on this run we obviously had all equipment inspected by a gentleman that I have worked with at the local shop that I trust -- he is confident in this equipment -- more confindent in the equipment than he is in our experience driving with this set-up ---- I trust his advice ---- we ran the car numerous miles testing it ---- hard braking --- sharp turning --- hooking-unhooking ect..... before we loaded for this trip ------ when this trip is over I will talk to the shop person again and bring up the points that caboverpete had mentioned in this post and see what he thinks about hauling heavier on the next trip ---with 25k on the rig handles well --- we lucked out on this run with lighter loads ---- I know eventually we will be in a position to accept or decline a 40,000lb load ---- so I will listen to you guys on this post --- my guy at the shop --- my driver --- and my 18 years experience hauling furniture and make my decision - caboverpete thank you for the advice --- that is why I post at this website

Answer:

I would like to purchase new equipment but unfortunately I am not in that position -- I think the bank would finance if I would ask but it would be alot of additional stress for me --- yes I know new equipment would "probobly "be safer -- I would guess an entire new setup --- tractor, two 28ft trailers, converter dolly --- would cost maybe $150,000.00 ----- I am self employed and been self employed for 18 years using good used equipment ---- maybe 5 to 12 years old -- so far this way of business has worked for us and enabled us to be in business longer than most --- most moving companies dont last this long ---- I abide by regulations set by the dot --- this equipment is safe ---- the dot is welcome to do a roadside inspection anytime ------ does any other owner operators own equipment that is 5 to 12 years old --- is it safe?? there has got to be someone with a 12 year old trailer that hauls 40K ????????????? anyone????????

Answer:

I'm not an owner operator (yet) but we have many trailers that we use that go well beyond 12 years in age. I have pulled plenty of ours that were built in 1970, have had at least 3-4 1969's behind me, and have heard of but haven't yet run across a couple of 68's that are still rumored to be running around. We are still using trailers that were originall pulled by B model Macks!
Granted they have been reworked and rebuilt over the years, but as long as the basic pneumatic tank is in good shape, we can easily get 35 years or more out of a trailer. And I typically load 50,000 in one of them. I had a load today that was very light, the customer wanted no more than 45k delivered. I ended up just under 44 when I loaded it.

Answer:

UPS has some of those drop decks and they mix them up all the time.
They are prob loaded much lighter.
I would check with Meards about some back hauls. They loads pups for may back hauls.

Answer:

Daytrader --- what or who is Meards????? and where are they ?

Answer:

Menards, Plano Ilinois I think....

Answer:

Menards. Sorry. Out of Wisconsin. They can use the doubles. They use all types of equipment. Including a dry van put with a flat bed pup.
Call the Menards Distribution Center Transportation Manager at 715-876-2600. They do broker out loads.
MENARDS
EAU CLAIRE, WI 715-876-2600
Loads available daily to Midwestern points. We ship lumber and building materials to our store locations. Driver friendly freight available on a first come first serve basis. Looking for vans,flats, drop decks, double drops, curtains, Conastoga, etc.

Answer:

Darren, yes you can haul 45000 lbs. As Daytrader said pulling doubles is easy. Now, stopping on slick roads especially when the two trailers weigh much differant totals is another story. Always have your heavy in front and keep alot of following distance no matter what the weather. Besafe and good luck.