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TRAILER OPTIONS FOR GVW20,000 EMPTY WEIGHT TRUCK
Posted Tue, Oct 30 2012 09:55 PM CST
JOSHUA DEES
JLDEES ENTERPRISES
CLOUDCROFT, NM
575-682-6683

Posts: 22
Looking to discuss some options for a trailer, My truck is a little on the heavy side with the brownie and the wet kit so what I'm looking for is opinions on what I should look for. I would like to find a 48-50' closed tandem spring ride pot 1995 or older so my budd rims will all match and i dont have the headache of ABS and 2 air ride systems. I have found a few in the $10-20K range but not sure if i want to make the jump to buy one just yet. Would it be better to lease a trailer for a percentage like Beef Corp? Or a dealership and finance one? Typically I like to personally own and maintain everything I run but its a little hard to swallow the pricetag of these newer trailers that have more potential for headache with the ABS, Air Ride and need for seperate spares (unimount and budds)

Would a longer 51-53' spread axle better suit my needs? With the 20K truck and approximately 12K weight of a trailer 32K total would only allow me to haul 48K which most shippers and buyers frown upon. The extra space would be nice for feeders but with the already long wheelbase of the truck tight spaces would be an issue.

And finally not to create a brand war but I am leading more towards a Merrit, I know every manufacture has its good and bad points but I have seen more cracks in the tail end of Wilsons than Merrits, Particularly around the ramp into the belly where the Merrits have a 45 degree gusset in each corner. I have seen several different types of repairs in Wilsons to fix this does anyone have a good fix for these? Not a fan of some of the patched together fixes i have seen. Secondly nose loading, a counterbalance or a crankup? I have noticed the winches in the crankups dont seem to hold up extremely well but I haven't dealt with the counterbalances enough to know their durability. Shine, I have heard that the Wilsons are easier to keep shiney than Merrits, I would like to stay away from the hard acid washs but I do like to keep them clean, What are some of the products you guys are using, Simple Green? Opinions and answers are appreciated,

Thanks,
Josh
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Posted Fri, Nov 02 2012 09:51 PM CST
JOSHUA DEES
JLDEES ENTERPRISES
CLOUDCROFT, NM
575-682-6683

Posts: 22
Anyone??

Feels like tryin to squeeze blood out of a turnip to get any information out of this place....
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Posted Mon, Nov 05 2012 08:47 PM CST
JARED ERNST
ERNST TRUCKING
SAINT ANTHONY, ND

Posts: 13
Good questions... First of all, Where are you hauling at? nationwide or locally? If it was me I'd get a Barrett trailer. Wilsons are bad news for you especially with that heavy a truck. Also, with your question about counter-balance or crank up. Your taking about two different things. Most trailers have counterbalances compaired to a fold back ramps. as far as the nose decking... crank up decks are heavier and have to stay in the trailer. If you haul bigger cattle you don't need nose decking and if it isn't a crank up you can take it completely out.
Let ne know if any of this helps...
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Posted Mon, Nov 05 2012 10:05 PM CST
JOSHUA DEES
JLDEES ENTERPRISES
CLOUDCROFT, NM
575-682-6683

Posts: 22
Thanks for the reply and answers that helps a bunch. I will be based in Colorado and NM running mostly in the surrounding states and trying to stay on shorter under 700 mile runs, that plus being a little heavy already I shouldnt be too cramped when hauling feeders. I would imagine a 48' would suit me fine but a 50 might be smart choice as well. Thanks for the reccomendation on Barretts have you had good luck with them? I have heard of bearing and wheel seal issues from a couple mechanics at the Merritt dealer in Colorado. I really like the look of the slat sides that most Barrets seem to be although I am worried the older look with the older truck will catch the eye of the DOT more althogh they are handy for climbing on, The trailer i am used to is a 40' American Steel possum belly double decker with 2x12s for decking top and bottom, (HEAVY) and a little old school so im not exactly up to snuff on some of the fancy newer trailers, Spent a little time looking a few over but havent really worked with one. Another option I have looked into is EBY they seem to build a quality trailer as well any thoughts on that?? Thanks again,

Josh
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Posted Tue, Nov 06 2012 09:11 AM CST
JARED ERNST
ERNST TRUCKING
SAINT ANTHONY, ND

Posts: 13
I would deffinatly go with a 50 over a 48'. I have pulled a couple of wilson trailers and hated them. They are heavy and pull hard. I have owned 3 barretts and have loved every one of them. They were all punch sides like a wilson or merritt. I now have a merritt and it is a good trailer as well. I do like the gate latches in the Merritt over the Barrett, but still prefer Barrett. They seem to be more "user" friendly than the others. I don't know much about a Eby, but have some guys tell me they are pretty good trailers. Best place to look is Truckpaper.com for a trailer.. I have a 53' Merritt tripple axle trailer now and am looking to upgrade. I know like in Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming the more axles you have the more you can haul... Nebraska is 94,000, Kansas is 85,500 REPLY REPLY WITH QUOTE
Posted Tue, Nov 06 2012 12:56 PM CST
ETHAN PITNER
PITNER TRANSPORT
LULING, TX

Posts: 1
My 2000 50' Eby, weighs 13,060 all washed out. Has deck board nose, all aluminums with tall 24.5's and air ride. REPLY REPLY WITH QUOTE
Posted Tue, Nov 06 2012 05:48 PM CST
JOSHUA DEES
JLDEES ENTERPRISES
CLOUDCROFT, NM
575-682-6683

Posts: 22
Thanks guys for the replies and insight it is very helpful. I have been looking for quite awhile, Truckpaper, Auction Time, Truck Trader, Ebay, Craigslist, you name it I'm looking. I have found a nice 1988 48' Merrit in NW Colorado for 10K but cant get a reply for a phone #. Barretts seem a little harder to find, not as many in the market but I will definately be looking harder in that direction. Thanks Ethan for your empty trailer weight that is extremely helpful.

Now not to start a legal war but per the bridge law we are allowed 34k per tandems 36' apart and 12k on the steer 34k+34k+12k=80k and spreads more than 10' apart are considered singles and allowed 20k each so 20k+20K+34k+12K=86K, Now I have searched and searched and each state is different once you get over the 80k limit but is there any set limit for a tri axle set or tridem?

With each states differrent laws if for example you load legal in CO and run to NM and your over...... ticket time..... I know you get paid more with a spread or tri axle with more beef hauled but is the hassle worth it? The belly is close to the same and you gain space over the tail but you have to keep in mind each state and their max overweight limit? Which brings me to another question, is anyone running lift axles on their trucks? My dump truck registers 40k rears 12k steer with a 12k drop axle which is allowed 10k to a total of 64k gross. I hate to lose my toolbox but the weight lost with it and the wet kit hyd tank on the other side and add a lift axle might not be a bad idea. Thanks again for the info so far guys I appreciate it,

Josh
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Posted Wed, Nov 07 2012 08:02 AM CST
JARED ERNST
ERNST TRUCKING
SAINT ANTHONY, ND

Posts: 13
Up here everyone is running lift axles it seams. Pull a tripple trailer and put a lift on your truck and go 96k, but that is in states like MT, ND, SD, NE, WY, IA.
I have a 53 foot tripple that has the third axle lift. With the spacing it has I can go 46k on the trailer, 34k on the drives and 12k on the steer=92k gross. My truck full of fuel and trailer washed out i am at 32800lbs.
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Posted Wed, Nov 07 2012 05:22 PM CST
JOSHUA DEES
JLDEES ENTERPRISES
CLOUDCROFT, NM
575-682-6683

Posts: 22

Awesome thanks for the info, thats good to know. If I may ask what type of rates are you getting for 58-60k loads? That sounds like the way to go for sure I just dont know if I want to swallow 30-50k for a trailer until I really get into it and know I can justify the cost, Also finding that trailer in the age group I am looking for with Budd wheels will also be a bit difficult, Right now I am lookin to hopefully spend in the 15k range for a spring 50ft closed tandem, Or possibly leasing a trailer from a company like Beef Corp for 18% and they broker loads, Would you or anyone reccomend this? Or is brokering yourself and workin up to a nicer trailer the way to go? Again thanks so much for the info I appreciate it,

Josh

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Posted Fri, Nov 09 2012 07:48 AM CST
PETE PEETERS
DUTCH WAY TRANSPORT
LIMON, CO
719-775-2377

Posts: 14
You won't get ahead paying to be dispatched with someone else's trailer. You'll have too many empty miles and wait time.
if they keep the deadhead down and keep you loaded you'll be okay, otherwise it's a skimpy existense.
we pull a 50 ft wilson stocker/feeder with a w900 with a 60" sleeper, c15, 18913, with heavy 336 rears. a herd bumper.
full of fuel with 2 sets of snow chains we are at 31400lbs empty when washed out.

We aren't pursuing cowhauling anymore because we do not have a good customer base, and without that you'll be hauling the "leftovers" for 3.50 or less a mile.
We still have a few customers that we haul for and we thoroughly enjoy it when we do.But.....with those people that we do haul for, we have a check waiting when they come off.
that makes things nice......... I love to haul cows but, even though I farm myself, there are too many money hungry dishonest people in agriculture anymore that take the fun out of it.

good luck.......
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Posted Fri, Nov 09 2012 08:11 AM CST
JARED ERNST
ERNST TRUCKING
SAINT ANTHONY, ND

Posts: 13
I am running at 4.25 a mile for 50k so if you prorate that up to say 58k just use this formula.....

Milesx4.25 then divide by 500xwhat you loaded

Say you laod and go 462 miles. You loaded 58620lbs this is how it should work
462milesx4.25=$1963.50/500=$3.93cwt(hundred weight)x586.20=$2303.77
That figures out to $4.99 loaded mile

What kind of truck are you running and why do you want to stay with bud wheels?

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Posted Fri, Nov 09 2012 08:49 AM CST
JARED ERNST
ERNST TRUCKING
SAINT ANTHONY, ND

Posts: 13
I am running at $4.25 loaded mile for 50K and then prorate up from there..
Its easy to figure... Take your rate times miles then divide by 500 and times weight loaded.

Say you load 58620 pounds and go 530 miles. Your formula should look like this....
530 milesx$4.25=$2252.50/500=$4.50cwt(hundred weight)x586.20=$2637.90
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Posted Sat, Nov 10 2012 07:58 AM CST
JOSHUA DEES
JLDEES ENTERPRISES
CLOUDCROFT, NM
575-682-6683

Posts: 22
Pete,

Thanks for the response I kinda figured it would be tough to go that route, hopefully I can get my foot in the door somewhere and work up some good customers like you have mentioned... I have been watching bull racks comin off the border in AZ through my hometown in NM for as long as I can remember and I always wondered what it paid... pretty dissapointed to see them posted up on here for 3.50 a mile, while its possible to do and apparently they were hauled thats cuttin it pretty thin.. Thanks again for the response.


Jared, Thanks again for the info I realy appreciate it I should have thought of the pro rating formula before I asked but I didnt know your base line rate, The reason I want to stay with budds is both my trucks are equipped with them, my 45' flatbed my lowboy and other trailers of my dads I pull are all budds and its easier to run all the same and I have a pretty good collection of spare rims which also helps.

I own 2 W900A Kenworths, my road truck is a 79 Extended Hood built from a parted out 93 Pete, (7FB) 3406BATAAC, RTO14109B with a Spicer 1241D (Part of why shes heavy, originally a 6x4) Eaton DS402 3:55 on Pete Air leaf with a Canadian spread, Shes new underneath from front to back the only thing thats 79 is the cab hood and sleeper,my second truck is an 81 W900A short hood, BC400 Cummins, RTO14610 super 10, 1241D double frame DS404s on walking beam double framed with a 12 yard dump bed, (24K empty)

Anything you would look for or do in my specific situation? Lift axle and a tri axle trailer? Is there an advantage to the Single Dual SIngle trailers? Are they allowed more than the 40K of a spread?

Again thanks again everyone for the responses and info I really appreciate it.

Josh
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Posted Sun, Nov 11 2012 11:09 AM CST
STEVE NOBLE
S.NOBLE TRUCKING
MCCUNE, KS
620-704-0886

Posts: 25
HELLO ADVICE LEASE ON PULL THEIR TRAILER LOSE MONEY BUT LEARN THE BUSINESS .
I HAVE THREE CATTLE POTS ,TWO FLAT BEDS AND A CURTAN TRAILER ASK YOUR SELF ONE QUESTION
WHY PULL CATTLE ? AT $4.00 PER MILE APX 50% DEAD HEAD = $2.00 PER MILE
I DO THAT OR BETTER WITH FLATBED
ALSO PLEASE DISCUSS THE IN AND OUTS WITH SOMEONE YOU CAN TRUST IN PERSON
ASK ABT HOURS OF SERVI WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE A LOAD ON AND 4 HRS FROM DEST AND HAVE 1 HR LEFT IN LOG BOOK
ECT DONT GET IN TO THIS LIGHTLY FROM YOUR QUESTIONS POSTED MORE PERSONAL QUESTIONS NEED ANSWERED
HEY CALL ME IF YOU WANT WE CAN TALK
STEVE NOBLE
S.NOBLE TRUCKING
620 704 0886


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Posted Mon, Nov 12 2012 12:56 AM CST
JOSHUA DEES
JLDEES ENTERPRISES
CLOUDCROFT, NM
575-682-6683

Posts: 22
Steve,

Thanks for the Insight much appreciated, as we all know there are struggles and battles with pretty much every real workin mans job in the world, Why haul cattle? Its a love and a passion first of all and a chance of a "last frontier" so to speak.. Trucking as owner operators is a dying breed, most of the real truckers who owned their rigs and would get out and work on them are being picked off little by little and we see more monkeys in white or blue Freightliners with a Detroit and a 10 speed who couldnt change a truck tire if their life depended on it. Cattle haulers are one group in very few left that have held on and still have some good people out there who work hard and push for what they love.

I would rather stomp around in mud and cow shit in the rain loading and unloading a stubborn load than deal with an idiot forklift driver sticking a fork through one of the side rails of my trailer, I spent a lot of money for my equipment and I like to take care of it and load and unload myself whenever possible. I am doing as much research as I can before I bite the bullet and move into this, and although I am not new to the industry I am new to the for hire scene, All the trucking we have done for the past 70 years for our family logging and sawmilling business has been for ourselves, flatbed, lowboy heavy equipment, cattle (ranch we were logging requested us to maintain the tank dams, fences, corrals and move their cattle from mountain to desert range every year) dump truck, gravel, chip trailers, you pretty much name it I have spent some time under it.

But as independants we never had to deal with the high dollar load insurance, brokers, buyers etc. and local as we were we really havent had to deal with log books, authority and IFTA so alot of this is new to me. And yes, running the way we do we have gone rounds with the NM and TX DOT. I am trying to get everything in order and be as legal as I can beforehand to try and avoid some of those headaches, but as we all know its rare for a DOT officer to walk up to your window without a ticket book and a pen to start writing.

I am partially aware of some of the struggles you have mentioned, deadhead, pushing over the legal limits on hours (and weight) and would appreciate discussing more in detail and possibly learn a thing or two, As for leasing that would be a sure fire way to learn the business but we all do like to at least make enough to live on and cover expenses and if possible make a little profit. I am just a little bit intimadated with puchasing a $20k trailer that might get turned down at the chute and having to sell it and start over, when i could lease a trailer and make sure i know what its going to take then purchase one similar after I am positive of what I need.

Again thanks so much to all for the insight, info and opinions I really do appreciate it keep em coming,

Josh
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Posted Mon, Nov 12 2012 08:21 AM CST
JARED ERNST
ERNST TRUCKING
SAINT ANTHONY, ND

Posts: 13
I would consider pulling for Beef Corp. I know the guys that run it. There are a few deadhead miles involved when pulling livestock, but depending on the dispatcher you should do pretty good. One thing about where yo are from. It seems that there are always cattle going east, west or south. My best guess is that you'll have way less than 50% deadhead in your situation. I am always deadheading north to come back home. Maybe only get one load a year of bred cows comming back to North Dakota. Even with my prorate and deadhead miles I'm never at $2/mile like the other guy said. Now for some answers that the other guy said.. Livestock can be on the trailer for 24 hours. You can only drive 11 and be on duty for 14. I haul a lot of cattle 750 miles and it turns into about 12 hours of drive time. Just drive it through and log it the way you did drive it. Get unloaded take a nap. I have never had a problem with DOT when your log book looks NEAT and you write as much info in it as you can. If you need you can go over a hour or hour and a half to get to your destination to unload livestock without any trouble from DOT.

Do you have any experience with livestock? That is a major thing to think about.

As far as a single Dual single. you need to think about a couple things.... (And this is only my feelings) Are the states your running in a axle state or are they footprint states???? South Dakota is a axle state so the more axles the more you can haul, no matter if its a dualed axle or a singles.. Minnesota is a footprint state. And their max is 88k. Now if you have a tandem truck and tandem trailer you are at 80k gross legal weight and have 18 tires touching the highway, add a third(dualed) axle to your trailer you can go the 88k because of the axle and 4 extra tires on the ground. With a single Dual single you still only have 8 tires back there---Therefor you can still only be 80K with that S-D-S trailer.... Also by running all the axles dualed if one of the tires gets a nail or something the other one will carry the weight till you can get it fixed. S-D-S trailer your sitting on the side of the road. And with hauling livestock, most of the time it is night, or at least after normal business hours, driving so you may have to wait a long time on the side of the road with living cargo.. If you have any questions like the other guy said please feel free to call me... My number is 701-220-5814.


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Posted Wed, Nov 14 2012 05:10 AM CST
JOSHUA DEES
JLDEES ENTERPRISES
CLOUDCROFT, NM
575-682-6683

Posts: 22
Thanks Jared once again, I kinda figured the SDS trailers would be a bit of a hassle and really didnt understand the advantage of them, but I see quite a few for sale and a few on the road and thought I'd ask. Running in several states is going to be new for me, NM TX and CO are the only states I have been loaded in, I am hoping to ideally run in CO and pull mainly 400-600 mile runs to NE and KS in the early fall like I am seein and I can also base at my dads place in NM in the later months and be a part of the late rush of pullin off the border in southern AZ across NM into the TX panhandle.

And to answer your question of experience with livestock if ya didnt read my last reply post to Pete is yes I grew up primarily loggin and sawmillin but we had to maintain the ranch we were logging on which entaled hauling their cows from summer pasture in the mountains to the desert in the winter and also to the slaughter house. Its been a few years ago now and I havent been into it for awhile but I am confident in my abilities to learn what I don't know and givin it a shot.

I appreciate the info from you guys and will be makin some phone calls to yall in the future when the time comes, I am still a little ways out from makin the transition and lookin to buy a trailer in the mean time and getting everything setup on the truck and trailer before I back up to a chute. Thanks again for the help, Josh
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Posted Wed, Nov 28 2012 09:44 PM CST
CURTIS NELSON
SSS TRAILER
WICHITA, KS

Posts: 1
I am somewhat surprised at the responses but glad you got and gave input. What I will say is that Merritt's are the lightest trailer but probably the toughest. The knock on Barretts is that they break up....and it's true. The resale is also horrible. I can tell you that Ebys are considerably heavier than most. They haven't held up so well hauling cattle. On a cheaper Wilson, always look at the upper coupler as they are somewhat weak and don't last. Not supposed to sell on the forum, but I do know wheree there are some cheaper trailers. In your situation, I would recommend a cheaper 50' - 48's are not as popular unless you go west of the rockies. spring ride 50' Merritt should come in around 10,800# Good luck and be careful out there REPLY REPLY WITH QUOTE
Posted Tue, Dec 04 2012 05:41 PM CST
CHANEY BOWEN
BOWEN RANCH TRUCKING
POWELL BUTTE, OR
541-610-2266

Posts: 1
I am kind of in the same boat as Joshua. Been hauling hay but I am wanting to diversify and haul cattle I'm looking at getting a 53' triple axle with one being a drop and putting a drop on my truck. I will be based out of MT but I am not sure how to go about finding enough loads to keep the bills paid. Do you recomend going with a broker to start out with?

Also I have heard that the floors in a Wilson hold up better than a Merrit is it worth the weight to have better floors?

thanks
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Posted Thu, Dec 06 2012 10:15 AM CST
JAMES WAGNER
JIM WAGNER TRUCKING
ENID , OK
316-299-1647

Posts: 13
Originally Posted by: CHANEY BOWEN
Quote: "I am kind of in the same boat as Joshua. Been hauling hay but I am wanting to diversify and haul cattle I'm looking at getting a 53' triple axle with one being a drop and putting a drop on my truck. I will be based out of MT but I am not sure how to go about finding enough loads to keep the bills paid. Do you recomend going with a broker to start out with? Also I have heard that the floors in a Wilson hold up better than a Merrit is it worth the weight to have better floors? thanks"

I Like the Wilson 53' closed tandem 3/4 jail and second choice is the EBY 50' light and Tough and there set up to work smoth...
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Posted Sun, Dec 16 2012 12:26 AM CST
MITCH LACHER
LACHER TRUCKING INC.
CHRISTINE, ND

Posts: 2
Mr. Bowmen I noticed that you said you are going to be based out of MT, keep in mind that lift axles are not recognized in Canada and they will get after you big time for that if its on the ground at all. Whether you will ever haul into Canada, idk. I have one question though, these Canadian spread trailers how much more or less can you haul with them vs. a standard U.S Tri-axle in the United States, in states that dont have the footprint type law (ex. MN) like ernst was saying? REPLY REPLY WITH QUOTE
Posted Sun, Dec 16 2012 02:34 PM CST
JW MILLER
LOOKING FOR A HOME
JONESBOROUGH, TN
423-930-3693

Posts: 2
HELL THATS EASY JUST KEEP YOUR LOG BOOK BACKED UP 4 TO 8 HRS OR LOOSE THE DAMN THING REPLY REPLY WITH QUOTE
Posted Tue, Dec 25 2012 06:25 PM CST
JOSHUA DEES
JLDEES ENTERPRISES
CLOUDCROFT, NM
575-682-6683

Posts: 22
Merry Christmas All!! Thanks again for the replies, I am still toying with different ideas on what I need to do. I plan on draining my tank for the wet kit and possibly doing a quick change type setup so I can remove the tank which should save me a few hundred pounds... But I am still a little heavy and most trailers Im looking at weighing in the upper 12k region which is going to cut me down to 47k or less payload.

I kinda would like to just run tandems and stay under 80k until I really get into it before looking at doing a tri axle trailer or a lift axle.. The 48' Merrits I am seeing are 12,800 and I figure another 500 lbs per foot which to my calculations puts a spread 53' at 15k roughly and a tri axle at 16,500? I was considering a spread 53 but i still would only be at 48-49k payload. If I could find a spring ride 50' at 10,800 as Curtis mentioned I could find a way to shave a few more lbs of my ol heavy girl and bring me to the 50k mark which i would be extremely happy with. If some of you guys could pitch in what your trailers weigh? Or your tare weight washed out with your truck chassis weight? I would greatly appreciate it.

Curtis could you possibly email me [email protected] with info on some of the trailers you mentioned earlier?

Thanks again all, Happy Holidays God Bless and be safe out there.
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Posted Thu, Dec 26 2013 09:51 AM CST
ERNIE MCLEAN
SCHUMAN EQUIPMENT CO
TYE, TX
325-691-5867

Posts: 2

I think if you actually weigh the trailer you will find that there isn't as much difference in weights as you have been told. Also spring ride isn't much lighter but spring ride trailers do tend to crack up worse because of the rougher ride. The older the trailer you purchase the more wear it will have. The floor is the life of the trailer. Spend more on a trailer with a better floor and it is going to last longer. Bottom line, you get what you pay for just like anything else.

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Posted Sun, Jan 05 2014 08:47 PM CST
ANDY AKIN
ACE TRANSPORT INC
SEYMOUR, IN

Posts: 1

Yeah Josh im a farm boy born and breed would love to haul cattle. But don't have the contacts or know where to start. Have you thought of pulling hoppers? I got started with my truck leased to a local company pulling there hopper and relized after he was buying new farm equipment and buying ground the only one in this deal making money was the one that had his name on the side off my truck. After that I bought 2 box vans in febuary and started my own company. I just bought 2 hoppers 2011 timptes and now am doing what I love. IF YOU DO WHAT YOU LOVE AND MAKE A LIVING YOU WILL NEVER WORK!!! Good luck in whatever you do

Thanks

Andy Akin

Ace Transport Inc

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