Hopper question
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Jul 17, 2023 at 03:02 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Pneumatic is my primary trailer. I sold my dry van because bumping the dock is for the birds. I know nothing about hoppers outside of the fact that they have square wheels. I don't know how much I'll use it. So it will definitely be used. 1)What structural things should I look for? 2) what is the most versatile sidewall height or size overall? 3) Does 96 or 102 wide really make a difference? 4) Is a spread axle worth the headache?
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Replied on Tue, Jul 18, 2023 at 06:53 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Check it over like you would any trailer. Check tarp from underneath and make sure its all good. Make sure hoppers open and close smoothly. Get vibrators. I pull a 43’ 78”x102”. Yes the 102” is worth it in my opinion. 43x84x102 will get you a full load of midds.
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Replied on Wed, Jul 19, 2023 at 09:05 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Are spread axles worth it? Depends on where you are doing your trucking. We do all of our work based off of 25 ton, and it allows us to make a little bit more than your standard tandem axle would in select states. The farther north you go, it's almost a necessity. But...if my dad could go back in time, I'm sure he would choose 102 43' or 45' tandem axle trailers. Drivers can be hard on spread axle tires, and it creates a lot of headaches for old time scales that don't account for 50' trailers. |
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Replied on Thu, Jul 20, 2023 at 06:57 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "Are spread axles worth it? Depends on where you are doing your trucking. We do all of our work based off of 25 ton, and it allows us to make a little bit more than your standard tandem axle would in select states. The farther north you go, it's almost a necessity. But...if my dad could go back in time, I'm sure he would choose 102 43' or 45' tandem axle trailers. Drivers can be hard on spread axle tires, and it creates a lot of headaches for old time scales that don't account for 50' trailers."
Thks. So are 78' sides the most versatile or should I get the largest I can find? With pneumatics you want to get as small of a trailer as possible for what you're hauling. How do you figure out bushels? I'm accustomed to by the ton pay.
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Replied on Thu, Jul 20, 2023 at 09:35 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "Thks. So are 78' sides the most versatile or should I get the largest I can find? With pneumatics you want to get as small of a trailer as possible for what you're hauling. How do you figure out bushels? I'm accustomed to by the ton pay."
I don't think there is a noticable difference in sturdiness. The 78 sides will do everything that you need them to, and will fit everything up with a bare minimum of 25 tons; except select products i.e. hulls, midds, and some lighter ddg's. We only haul those lighter commodities with a flat rate anyways, because a lot of times you won't get a full load with the appropriate trailer size. |
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Replied on Thu, Jul 20, 2023 at 09:36 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Size of trailer depends on product you plan on hauling . Alot of older mills are eaiser to get in & out of with a 96 in wide trailer. No need to be pulling around extra weight if you done need it . Also getting a hopper washed out can be a big issue . Also there can be alot of idle time sitting waiting in line to deliver till they have room for your product . Do your research before you purchase a hopper ! End dump will give you more options .
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Replied on Fri, Jul 21, 2023 at 06:45 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "Size of trailer depends on product you plan on hauling . Alot of older mills are eaiser to get in & out of with a 96 in wide trailer. No need to be pulling around extra weight if you done need it . Also getting a hopper washed out can be a big issue . Also there can be alot of idle time sitting waiting in line to deliver till they have room for your product . Do your research before you purchase a hopper ! End dump will give you more options ."
I run a pneumatic and have a blower on the truck. So I can't add a wet kit right now. Because I'm getting a new truck next year. Some of the same people I move pneumatic loads for have hopper loads. That's why I'm looking in that direction. A pneumatic washout is extremely difficult to find. So a hopper should be a little easier. Thanks for the info.
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Replied on Fri, Jul 21, 2023 at 06:45 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "I don't think there is a noticable difference in sturdiness. The 78 sides will do everything that you need them to, and will fit everything up with a bare minimum of 25 tons; except select products i.e. hulls, midds, and some lighter ddg's. We only haul those lighter commodities with a flat rate anyways, because a lot of times you won't get a full load with the appropriate trailer size."
Thanks for the information. Sorry to keep bothering you. One last question. Is a 72" sides similarly versatile as a 78" sides?
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Replied on Fri, Jul 21, 2023 at 08:52 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "Thanks for the information. Sorry to keep bothering you. One last question. Is a 72" sides similarly versatile as a 78" sides?"
My trailer is 45' x 102" x 72" and while I really like it, I wish it were 43 x 102 x 78. Shorter length weighs less while still having the same capacity. Sleepers on trucks will subtract from your load capacity so I run a day cab and have no issues with 24-25 tons of midds and staying under 78,000. The interior bracing in the upper corners needs to be kept watch on especially if the trailer was used on farms and in fields. Keep the inside clean and waxed. I use a spray on wax (Griot's) and a foam cannon on the end of a garden hose. If it doesn't have it, get the vent hood that goes near the top on the back of the trailer so you don't have to open the tarp to unload. I used a hole saw for three 2" holes under the hood. Gorilla tarp repair tape is the best stuff! Clean tarp with alcohol before applying. Learn the proper tension of the tarp support straps that run lengthwise under the tarp. Too many get them too tight and all that does is pull the end caps in, then rain runs into the trailer under the tarp. They don't need to be guitar string tight! Mostly my work is by the ton for feed ingredients like midds, ddgs. Corn, beans and such (whole grains) are by the bushel. Short hauls (less than 25 miles) to places with long wait times get charged by the hour. |
1340 E Woodhurst Dr Springfield, MO 65804