Single or dual rear axle

[Grasshopper]

I am looking at becoming an O/O. Since I live on the west coast, I have been told that it would be best for me to have a dual rear axle straight truck so I can carry more weight and get paid a higher rate, but I can run a single axle straight truck. I am looking at signing on with Tri-State since they are looking at having a 11 western state regional program. I would to get some advice as to which axle (single or double) setup I should get. Also would like to know how old of a truck I should get. I have looked at the converted class 8 trucks and the class 7 Freightling FL 70.

 

[SHARP327]

Hi Grasshopper!
I can't answer your questions but I can give my opinions on a couple of your questions based on my experiences, so here goes!

I have a class 8 expediter with a pusher axle capable (max) of around 22k payload but tell my carrier that I'll only go up to 18k just because I want to take it easy on the equipment, the truck has a gvwr of 54k.

If I had it to do all over again I wouldn't have purchased the truck with a drop axle and here's why...when not in use it's just dead weight that you haul around reducing your mpg, had I bought the truck with a single axle I would have been able to carry around 13k but with the drop axle I can only haul around 9.5k anything over that means I have to drop the axle which causes a little less mpg.

The company I contract with now is real good about giving me big truck rates when they want me to haul a load over 13k but the other two carriers I was with said they'd pay for the use of drop axle but always seemed to have brain freeze when payday came so I had to tell them the axle wasn't working and that 9.5k was all I could carry, there's not enough heavy loads to make it all that profitable in my opinion.

The only reason I bought the truck with the drop axle was because here in Ky. if the trucks gvwr falls between 44k & 54k they classify your truck as tax exempt and considering what I had to give for this puppy I went with the drop axle.

As I mentioned I have a pusher axle which is located in front of the drive axle which I feel works best for me because when I increase the air pressure to the axle it reduces the load on the steers, and from what I've heard a tag/puller axle requires the bulk of the weight to be towards the rear of the box.

I assumed that you were talking about a drop axle but if you are thinking of a truck with full time dual rear axles then I guess someone else could point you in the right direction.

Hope this was of some help!

 

[ATeam]

When answering the single/lift/tandem axle questions, a host of variables come into play; making it impossible to say what is best for you. Only YOU can make that decision. I will offer that tandem axles ("twin screws") provide a smoother ride; way smoother than single axle or with a lift axle down. That's just one of many factors to consider as you make your decision.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

I have duallies with a 28' box, and I'll never go back to single axel... dispite the lower mileage. Not only does it help in getting t/t loads (which I have 3 in my first month driving this truck), but it's alot simpler to manage freight. On a 10k load, I'm not scrambling to figure out where the freight should go. IMO, duallies on an 18' box are like ##### on a bull... you need at least 24'.

As far as tri-state and their west coast ventures, you can look at it two ways: You can pioneer their program which may be feast or famine; or you can wait and see how they do. The program may not even take off.

There's a recent thread by Flamemerc where I suggested some things, if he decides to move to AZ. Check it out.

 

[davekc]

I am in agreement, unless it is utilized alot by your carrier, I would never put one on a new truck. It takes a long time to ever recover the costs when everything is averaged in. If it is a used truck, then everything is relavant to what you are paying for it.
Companies that do a fair amount of LTL freight might find a advantage to having one.


Davekc
owner
21 years

 

[Grasshopper]

I have been looking at two trucks to buy. The first one is a Sterling Class 8 truck, 24" box10 speed trans and fixed rear duel axles. The other truck is a class 7 FL70 with a Mercedes motor and 7 speed transmission with single rear axle. I like the idea of the class 8 because of its longevity versus the short life span of the class 7. Also living in the LA area, I would like to have the option of hauling LTL if its available, but the down side is there is lot of driving to get back home, so fuel costs for a tandem is more. I liked the idea of a rear drop axle but did not know that would decrease the amount of cargo I could carry.

 

[RichM]

One thing to remember is with a 2 axle rear you get to buy 8 rear tires not 4. You mentioned you were looking at a FL 70 with a 7 speed transmission. sounds like the Spicer 7 speed,many horror stories exist about that transmission and Freightliner discontinued putting it into new trucks.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

One thing that is said about duals is that they're enormously more comfortable. And although you would have a lower mpg with duals (I have 7+, but have been in one with an avg of 10.5), you have a greater chance at freight. That could be the difference between moving and waiting another day or two. You're right in that you'll be better equiped to take LTLs.

One thing I have to say about getting semi freight in a d unit... The potential is out there. Though I doubt dispatchers making $9/hour would take their time to see if it would fit. Therefore, most of that freight goes on a trailer. It was by luck that I found a load, calculated that it would barely fit, then watched as it filled my entire truck. I would not count on a company to chance that, either to help out one of their trucks, or save their customer a bit of cash. My point to all this... unless you find the loads yourself, don't count on much t/t expedite freight.