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Lowboy axle spacing 54.5 vs 60 inch

lion_singh

Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2012
Messages
19
Location
Los Angeles
Hi,


I am a newbie heavy haul wannabe. I would appreciate it very much if you experienced folks could help me understand one important point about lowboy trailers please. I plan on buying a 35-40 ton or 50-55 ton lowboy. I see that these trailers are offered by various manufacturers in rear axle spacing of 54.5 inch or 60 inch. Which of these spacings is better and why please? Is there any technical or practical reason for this? I plan on running all 48 states. Thanks for your kind consideration and reply.


Regards,


Singh
 

lion_singh

Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2012
Messages
19
Location
Los Angeles
Just wanted to clarify that I have a stretch RGN in mind if it matters. But I think the question would be applicable to RGNs, lowboys class of trailers in general. Sorry, like I said, I a newbie!
 

JDOFMEMI

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2007
Messages
3,074
Location
SoCal
Look up the state regulations on allowable weight on a tandem group. Legal weight is no different, but allowable permit weight is higher for a wider axle spread, in most areas I have been.
 

JBlackwell

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2009
Messages
100
Location
Daingerfield, Texas
60" spacings are nicer to have in the western states. BUT since you are wanting a stretch trailer 60" spacing will hurt your deck length. For example a 48' long 35ton double drop stretch with 29' well stretches to 50' 4" open. If you want 60" spacing on the tandem then your deck is 28' 6" closed and that goes open to 49' 4". You loose a whole foot of deck because of 60" spacing. A tridem is even worse. Because most people want a long as stretch as possible they give up the 60" spacing to get the longer deck length.
 

Chaz Murray

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2007
Messages
215
Location
Stockton CA
Just wanted to clarify that I have a stretch RGN in mind if it matters. But I think the question would be applicable to RGNs, lowboys class of trailers in general. Sorry, like I said, I a newbie!

I notice you are located in Los Angeles....so if that is the case no matter the brand of trailer you end up with if you are going to be coming into California at all with the trailer make sure you do not buy one over 48' over all length or it will be almost unusable in this state. If you have no plans of coming into California then you can go longer up to 53' in most states without issue. The key thing in California to remember for a 3 axle trailer is on a 48' 3 axle trailer if you can not lift the rear axle and have a 40' king pin to last axle you will be limited to running on STAA routes and that is basically the federally funded highways only. If the trailer is over 48' Caltrans will not issue an oversize/weight permit for the trailer unless the load justifys the length of the trailer, completely stupid in my option but its the way it is.

As far as the spacing issue that is a state by state issue and depends on the weight you will be hauling. In order to get 60,000lbs on a 3 axle in California you have to have 60" spacing, 54" will give you 58,400lbs iirc
 

Chaz Murray

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2007
Messages
215
Location
Stockton CA
I notice you are located in Los Angeles....so if that is the case no matter the brand of trailer you end up with if you are going to be coming into California at all with the trailer make sure you do not buy one over 48' over all length or it will be almost unusable in this state. If you have no plans of coming into California then you can go longer up to 53' in most states without issue. The key thing in California to remember for a 3 axle trailer is on a 48' 3 axle trailer if you can not lift the rear axle and have a 40' king pin to last axle you will be limited to running on STAA routes and that is basically the federally funded highways only. If the trailer is over 48' Caltrans will not issue an oversize/weight permit for the trailer unless the load justifys the length of the trailer, completely stupid in my option but its the way it is.

As far as the spacing issue that is a state by state issue and depends on the weight you will be hauling. In order to get 60,000lbs on a 3 axle in California you have to have 60" spacing, 54" will give you 58,400lbs iirc

Rereading my own post I guess I botched a few things and need to clarify a couple things because its confusing even to myself.
California 3 axle requirements for running almost anywhere in the state.
  • 48' max over all trailer length
  • 40' kingpin to last axle (this can be accomplished with a rear lift axle or an extremely short deck but would make the trailer almost worthless)

If you have longer than a 40' king pin then like I said above you will be limited to STAA routes and that can be found here http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/truckmap/

Now if your trailer is over the 48' max length it can still be used in the state but you must have an over size permit and cal trans will not issue you one unless the load can justify the length. So your D8 is not going to cut it being permitted on a 53' long 3 axle in California, they just wont issue you the permit.
 

RollOver Pete

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2007
Messages
1,510
Location
Indio, Ca
Occupation
Operating Engineer/mechanic
[*]40' kingpin to last axle (this can be accomplished with a rear lift axle or an extremely short deck but would make the trailer almost worthless)
[/LIST]

If you have longer than a 40' king pin then like I said above you will be limited to STAA routes and that can be found here http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/truckmap/

Hey Chaz....
We have been battling with Cal Trans over this for ever with our 10' wide.
We finally got a longer king pin setting approval on our annual permit a few weeks ago.
I don't know who the boss blew or paid off but it worked.
I'll get the exact measurements tomorrow and post them.
 

RollOver Pete

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2007
Messages
1,510
Location
Indio, Ca
Occupation
Operating Engineer/mechanic
Here is the permit for the 10' wide and below that the permit for the expando.


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