Expedite With Tractor and Pup Trailer?

paullud · Feb 28, 2013

str8trk said:
Larger driver pool to draw from

That is a huge benefit I forgot about plus I think ST drivers are more professional and more likely to take care of the equipment. Of course that statement is a generalization and opinion but is based on my experience. The fact that you are more likely to end up with a H/W team can mean less time at home which decreases DH and down time.

zorry · Feb 28, 2013

Fedex's Pup Program was cheap and easy to set up.
It's designed for solo's looking for regional work, home weekends.
Putting an experienced TT driver in a pup should attract a good quality of driver as many want that home weekends lifestyle.

Tennesseahawk · Feb 28, 2013

Now I know a pup is 28', generally. But when it comes down to it, a 28'er is not giving too much advantage over a 24' straight, other than weight. Now, what I call a pup is up to 40'. I don't generally compare them to straights, as the benefits are a given... or should be. I tend to compare them to traditional 53' trailers.

Arguments for a small to medium trailer vs a straight truck:

-Both allow you to turn around in a narrow area. Advantage - slightly straight.
-Both allow you to park in a smaller space. Advantage- slightly straight.
-Need a CDL-A for a pup vs a B for a straight. Advantage - straight.
-Restricted roads. Advantage - straight.
-Tolls. Advantage - straight.
-Fees. Advantage - straight.
-Insurance. Advantage - straight.
-Mileage. Advantage - slightly straight, depending on weight.

-Ability to drop your trailer while they're loading you over 6 hours. Advantage - pup.
-Repairs - slightly pup.
-Replacement components. Advantage - pup.
-Replacement vehicle availability. Advantage - pup.
-Sell-ability. Advantage - Advantage - pup.
-Transfer-ability into a new venture. Advantage - pup.
-Flexibility in loads. Advantage - pup.
-Rate. Advantage - pup.
-Profit. Advantage - pup.
-Having what the others don't. Advantage - pup.

Overall... I'll let you decide that one. It all depends on what you're after. But IMO, a T/T driver who wants to downsize, would probably be ok in a pup. What turned me off with the 53'ers is that they were 53', not that they were trailers.

zorry · Feb 28, 2013

I would think a single axle tractor and pup has a maneuverability advantage.

Tennesseahawk · Feb 28, 2013

zorry said:
I would think a single axle tractor and pup has a maneuverability advantage.

I agree. Something bigger, say a 35' to 40', the straight has the advantage.

If all you're doing is making a cheap 28' D unit, then I'd say it all depends on what you're trying to do with them. You aren't going to get a huge advantage in load flexibility, but you can put one together easier than you can a straight. A $15k tractor and a $6k-9k pup, and you're solid for a few years. Then you can replace whatever is out of date as needed, rather than putting a new box on an old straight truck. Drop and hook, man!