End Dump Spread or Closed Tandem

Dec 25, 2017 at 09:44 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I'm buying a new end dump and wondering if the spread is worth the extra money and weight. I am relatively new to the bulk biz. Our reefers have a sliding tandems and we don't have any issues with weight on the rears but these rear axles on the dumps don't move and i was wanting to know if weight on the rear has been a big problem or not. The one we have now is a spread and just dont want to buy a tandem and wish i would have bought a spread. There just seems to be more tandems out there by far than spreads. Do the pros out weigh the cons? Which one would you buy? Do any of you have electronic scales or the rear of your trailers? Do they work?

Replied on Tue, Dec 26, 2017 at 07:24 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I have scales on my truck and trailer. I run closed tandems. It's how the loader loads the trailer. I can tell the loader where to put the bucket based on my scales and can get really close

Replied on Tue, Dec 26, 2017 at 07:35 AM CST + 2
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. My two cents are it would depend on what you will be doing with the trailer. Short hauling with lots of twisting and turning with multiple loads a day I'd go tandem. Tire wear will be better with a tandem in this application. Long hauling I'd go spread primarily just for being able to load to gross and not have to worry about axle weight.

Replied on Tue, Dec 26, 2017 at 11:47 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Some states 40 ft spread Axle dump trailer will have trouble bridging. In Ks aggregate haulers are exempt from bridge laws and having authority laws . Not sure they all have tags. Ha ha . But hauling other commiditys 40 ft spread axles ?? be problem ; Some one I know put some research in and 34 ft dump trailer with 3 axel can bridge 80,000 in any state

Replied on Tue, Dec 26, 2017 at 12:53 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I have seen a lot of 39 and 40' trailers. 102 and 96 wide. Whats the advantage or disadvantage to each?

Replied on Wed, Jan 10, 2018 at 07:24 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. We run a closed tandem hopper. By the math, your max is 34k per set if tandems if you carry exactly 12k in your steer. With bulk loads, its challenging to hit all three axle groups at exactly, 12,34,34. To maintain $2.00 plus per mile, you need 25+ ton payload. If you can still net 25+ ton with the extra trailer weight I say definitely go spread. I beleive you will gain 500 to 1000 pounds per load simply by getting right to 80k gross weight. We run Right Weigh digital scales, and can hit our weights fairly close if ground is level, and flat. We target 33.5k per tandemand can not get 12k

Replied on Wed, Jan 10, 2018 at 07:24 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

We run a closed tandem hopper. By the math, your max is 34k per set if tandems if you carry exactly 12k in your steer. With bulk loads, its challenging to hit all three axle groups at exactly, 12,34,34. To maintain $2.00 plus per mile, you need 25+ ton payload. If you can still net 25+ ton with the extra trailer weight I say definitely go spread. I beleive you will gain 500 to 1000 pounds per load simply by getting right to 80k gross weight. We run Right Weigh digital scales, and can hit our weights fairly close if ground is level, and flat. We target 33.5k per tandemand can not get 12k

Replied on Wed, Jan 10, 2018 at 07:28 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "We run a closed tandem hopper. By the math, your max is 34k per set if tandems if you carry exactly 12k in your steer. With bulk loads, its challenging to hit all three axle groups at exactly, 12,34,34. To maintain $2.00 plus per mile, you need 25+ ton payload. If you can still net 25+ ton with the extra trailer weight I say definitely go spread. I beleive you will gain 500 to 1000 pounds per load simply by getting right to 80k gross weight. We run Right Weigh digital scales, and can hit our weights fairly close if ground is level, and flat. We target 33.5k per tandemand can not get 12k" finishing.... on the steer exactly. Loading with a spread is just easier, and less stress with that wiggle room on weight available on the 40k spread configuration. More cost up front, will add resale pressure. There seems to be less used spread hoppers for sale. Maybe that's a good thing? My two cents, wish we had a spread. 989-620-0813.

Replied on Wed, Jan 10, 2018 at 07:28 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "We run a closed tandem hopper. By the math, your max is 34k per set if tandems if you carry exactly 12k in your steer. With bulk loads, its challenging to hit all three axle groups at exactly, 12,34,34. To maintain $2.00 plus per mile, you need 25+ ton payload. If you can still net 25+ ton with the extra trailer weight I say definitely go spread. I beleive you will gain 500 to 1000 pounds per load simply by getting right to 80k gross weight. We run Right Weigh digital scales, and can hit our weights fairly close if ground is level, and flat. We target 33.5k per tandemand can not get 12k"

finishing.... on the steer exactly. Loading with a spread is just easier, and less stress with that wiggle room on weight available on the 40k spread configuration. More cost up front, will add resale pressure. There seems to be less used spread hoppers for sale. Maybe that's a good thing? My two cents, wish we had a spread. 989-620-0813.

Replied on Wed, Jan 10, 2018 at 09:05 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I don't want too highjack the thread but would you buy a square dump or half round? And Why? Thanks

Replied on Thu, Jan 11, 2018 at 08:38 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Half round is usually lighter in similar configurations. But you lose out on some volume. I have a half round and with what I haul, I’ve yet to have a volume issue though. 40’, 60” sides closed tandem MAC.

Replied on Fri, Jan 12, 2018 at 10:56 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I run a 40' Mac end with spread. it really depends on what you are doing and where. The greatest advantage is even the worst of loaders has a hard time getting me over on my axles. Also some states you can run 85-86 gross without permits on the secondary roads. the down side is tire wear and strain getting into tight spaces ( I'm 280" WB on my Pete) but I've got 80000 on my trailer tires with @ 75% left rotating at 25000 miles. if I was buying new is go with spread again

Replied on Fri, Jan 12, 2018 at 10:56 AM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I run a 40' Mac end with spread. it really depends on what you are doing and where. The greatest advantage is even the worst of loaders has a hard time getting me over on my axles. Also some states you can run 85-86 gross without permits on the secondary roads. the down side is tire wear and strain getting into tight spaces ( I'm 280" WB on my Pete) but I've got 80000 on my trailer tires with @ 75% left rotating at 25000 miles. if I was buying new is go with spread again