Is it worth buying a tri-axle food grade pneumatic tanker

Dec 02, 2023 at 09:30 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I am looking at getting into hauling malted barley for a local craft malt plant. Most of the trailers that I have seen for sale are all double axle trailers with usually super singles. My question is, is it worth investing into a tri-axle set up that has a 2,000 cf capacity or is it better to go with the double axle set up for around 1,600 -1660 cf capacity? Most of the loads will be right aroung that 25-ton range. I figured most of my loads at that capacity and the tare weight of the trailer will put me right at or just above 80000 gvw. any help in deciding what type of trailer will be best for the contract will help... thanks

Replied on Mon, Dec 04, 2023 at 11:31 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. It should be a pretty easy decision based on weight limit laws and your rate per ton. If you can gross 80k with a standard tandem axle and 80k is your route's legal limit, than obviously the tandem is your choice. If you can exceed 80k, you need to know your rate per ton and your monthly volume to figure out if the extra revenue exceeds the extra fixed cost of purchasing the tri axle. Figure out the added monthly expense for the tri axle, then multiply your rate per ton by the extra tons a tri axle will allow you to haul. Then multiply that by the number of loads you will run per month. Take that figure and subtract the extra trailer expense and that should give you a clear answer. It could get a little more complicated if your total monthly tonnage volume has a limit on it based on how much product your customer actually needs. If you can reach that limit hauling 80k loads, then you need to look at how many round trips it would save you by hauling more each load with the tri axle. It then becomes a cost savings equation instead of a revenue increase equation. It is impossible to answer without knowing the exact volume and revenue figures as well as the weight limits for your route.

Replied on Mon, Dec 04, 2023 at 11:31 AM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

It should be a pretty easy decision based on weight limit laws and your rate per ton. If you can gross 80k with a standard tandem axle and 80k is your route's legal limit, than obviously the tandem is your choice. If you can exceed 80k, you need to know your rate per ton and your monthly volume to figure out if the extra revenue exceeds the extra fixed cost of purchasing the tri axle. Figure out the added monthly expense for the tri axle, then multiply your rate per ton by the extra tons a tri axle will allow you to haul. Then multiply that by the number of loads you will run per month. Take that figure and subtract the extra trailer expense and that should give you a clear answer.

It could get a little more complicated if your total monthly tonnage volume has a limit on it based on how much product your customer actually needs. If you can reach that limit hauling 80k loads, then you need to look at how many round trips it would save you by hauling more each load with the tri axle. It then becomes a cost savings equation instead of a revenue increase equation. It is impossible to answer without knowing the exact volume and revenue figures as well as the weight limits for your route.

Replied on Mon, Dec 04, 2023 at 01:22 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "It should be a pretty easy decision based on weight limit laws and your rate per ton. If you can gross 80k with a standard tandem axle and 80k is your route's legal limit, than obviously the tandem is your choice. If you can exceed 80k, you need to know your rate per ton and your monthly volume to figure out if the extra revenue exceeds the extra fixed cost of purchasing the tri axle. Figure out the added monthly expense for the tri axle, then multiply your rate per ton by the extra tons a tri axle will allow you to haul. Then multiply that by the number of loads you will run per month. Take that figure and subtract the extra trailer expense and that should give you a clear answer. It could get a little more complicated if your total monthly tonnage volume has a limit on it based on how much product your customer actually needs. If you can reach that limit hauling 80k loads, then you need to look at how many round trips it would save you by hauling more each load with the tri axle. It then becomes a cost savings equation instead of a revenue increase equation. It is impossible to answer without knowing the exact volume and revenue figures as well as the weight limits for your route." thanks for the insite. the volume will very on a monthly basis, the loads will be delivered to local brewerys and distillerys, it will depend on how much room they will have in there silos at time of ordering the load.. from the research I have done the typical load will be around 25 ton per load.. In most cases with the trailer set up Im looking at I will be running around 81k gvw.. I can get an anual permit for over weight in montana, Im not sure what that will run yet. nor will I know what Im looking at for total product delivered until I start running... from the looks of it, it may be best to just run a 2 axle trailer to begin with and then if I need to I can always upgrade... thank you for the Info

Replied on Mon, Dec 04, 2023 at 01:22 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "It should be a pretty easy decision based on weight limit laws and your rate per ton. If you can gross 80k with a standard tandem axle and 80k is your route's legal limit, than obviously the tandem is your choice. If you can exceed 80k, you need to know your rate per ton and your monthly volume to figure out if the extra revenue exceeds the extra fixed cost of purchasing the tri axle. Figure out the added monthly expense for the tri axle, then multiply your rate per ton by the extra tons a tri axle will allow you to haul. Then multiply that by the number of loads you will run per month. Take that figure and subtract the extra trailer expense and that should give you a clear answer. It could get a little more complicated if your total monthly tonnage volume has a limit on it based on how much product your customer actually needs. If you can reach that limit hauling 80k loads, then you need to look at how many round trips it would save you by hauling more each load with the tri axle. It then becomes a cost savings equation instead of a revenue increase equation. It is impossible to answer without knowing the exact volume and revenue figures as well as the weight limits for your route."

thanks for the insite. the volume will very on a monthly basis, the loads will be delivered to local brewerys and distillerys, it will depend on how much room they will have in there silos at time of ordering the load.. from the research I have done the typical load will be around 25 ton per load.. In most cases with the trailer set up Im looking at I will be running around 81k gvw.. I can get an anual permit for over weight in montana, Im not sure what that will run yet. nor will I know what Im looking at for total product delivered until I start running... from the looks of it, it may be best to just run a 2 axle trailer to begin with and then if I need to I can always upgrade... thank you for the Info