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Straightruck or Tractor/trailer?

S

Stevenbr

Seasoned Expediter
Not an expediter, but own my own biz...

Sell, deliver grass sod (pallets, about 2000 pounds each).

Currently have a 2000 Intn'l 4700, 14' flatbed, with Donkey forklift mounted on back... can carry 5-6 pallets. Single axle, 206" wheelbase.

Thinking I will need to expand in the next few months...

Trying to decide whether to go with a larger flatbed, or maybe a daycab with a trailer.

Manuervarablity is a key... lots of deliveries to residential, rural (with limited turnaround area often)....

I'm thinking I'd like to be able to carry 8-12 pallets... obviously more is better, in general. Will also equip with a rear mount forklift... probably a Donkey, 3200 pounds.

One of my truckdriver friends/contractors (who pulls a 45 foot trailer daily with a sleepercab), made the comment to me... "a daycab with a 20something foot trailer can go anywhere that you can in that truck" pointing to my Intl. (THAT I don't believe.)

Any thoughts, feedback?
 
AutonomyRex

AutonomyRex

Seasoned Expediter
Stevenbr said:
Not an expediter, but own my own biz...

Sell, deliver grass sod (pallets, about 2000 pounds each).

Currently have a 2000 Intn'l 4700, 14' flatbed, with Donkey forklift mounted on back... can carry 5-6 pallets. Single axle, 206" wheelbase.

Thinking I will need to expand in the next few months...

Trying to decide whether to go with a larger flatbed, or maybe a daycab with a trailer.

Manuervarablity is a key... lots of deliveries to residential, rural (with limited turnaround area often)....

I'm thinking I'd like to be able to carry 8-12 pallets... obviously more is better, in general. Will also equip with a rear mount forklift... probably a Donkey, 3200 pounds.

One of my truckdriver friends/contractors (who pulls a 45 foot trailer daily with a sleepercab), made the comment to me... "a daycab with a 20something foot trailer can go anywhere that you can in that truck" pointing to my Intl. (THAT I don't believe.)

Any thoughts, feedback?
Click to expand...

Hey Steve,

I think your friend is referring to a 28' pup trailer flat bed. While I never hauled a pup flat, I have pulled doubles OTR and for local P&D. These were 13'6'' high Van boxes. So I had height issuses as well to contend with. Mostly tight city work and alleys in Detroit, not rural. Take out a set, break them apart, and empty one and return for a second.

I drove a single axle power unit day cab and the pup was a single axle as well...now I don't know your limited turning around radius....though I'd go many places with that pup that I would not think about going in a 280'' to 300''wb straight flat. Due to the fifth wheel....they turn on a dime....with the correct power unit.
And a driver doesn't always have to turn around...we can back our way out from whence we came ;-) Plus they are easy to blind side as well....takes a little bit to get used to as they are quicker than a 48 or 53.

Test drive a few at a used trailer outlet or a ryder....see what you think and if it would work in your application.

Hope that helps a bit...I'm only going off of my experiences.

A-Rex
 
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S

Stevenbr

Seasoned Expediter
Thanks for the good feedback, A-rex.

I heard what you said pretty much echoed today from another trucker friend of mine.

I'm going to try to delve into the "right" weight capacities for the power unit and the trailer combo, and see where there leads me as far as cost... my buddy seems to have a pretty good grasp of that.. just need to get a chance to sit down with him, so I can get a grasp too...

Thanks again, and open to any other thoughts from you or anyone else on the forum.

Steve
 
moose

moose

Veteran Expediter
my vote goe's for the day cab .
Just get the trailer king pin all the way to the front.

(in some parts of the world ,you can get arrested for selling grass...) :)
 
AutonomyRex

AutonomyRex

Seasoned Expediter
Hey Steve,

If I recall from the cobwebs of my memory...I think I was driving a volvo at the time ( 16 years ago...give or take ) with a set back front axle, single screw and sliding 5th wheel. Wish i could recall the wheel base and axles....Ryder has quite of few of these type power units. Another truck that might be good for your application might be a UD Nissan 3300. Just make sure a dealership is nearby.

If memory serves me right...and it RARELY does these days , I could legally scale, without worry, 23-24k payload +/-..?? or close to it. Keeping in mind I had a single axle on the box pup trailer, and Linehaul trailers where packed pretty tight for volumn. You should squeeze out more with a 12/21k...., and even more with two axles on the trailer. Either way, I'd think you'd get your 12 skids.

Also you could use side kits if needed/wanted.

You'll have to contend with that Donkey on yer donkey..lol.

Having that day cab also opens you up to other work if/when things get slow, so don't skimp on the HP.

Drive Safe out there
A-Rex
 
nightcreacher

nightcreacher

Veteran Expediter
I would take a straight truck,put a 26 ft flat bed on it,you can still hook your fork lift to the rear,and you have plenty of room for 12 pallets
 
Moot

Moot

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Steven, here is a sod rig I saw yesterday. Looked like a 32' trailer.

IMG_0125.jpg
 
Moot

Moot

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Here are a few more pics. If you want more info, send me a pm and I will give you the name of the sod company.
 

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S

Stevenbr

Seasoned Expediter
Thanks for posting the pics, Moot.
I work with, and contract several 18 wheelers to carry sod from our farm to our town, and often deliver directly to job site.

I also own a 14' flatbed straight truck that I deliver locally off of. I can carry 6 pallets and forklift with it.

My next mission is to get a vehicle that fits that niche between those two. My goal is to get the most maneuvarble vehicle, with the most flexibility for growth... that can carry somewhere between 12-18 pallets... whatever makes the most sense.

Obviously, many vehicles can fill this task... just weighing the differences...

I see one of my competitors using a day cab with dual drive axles... not exactly sure how long their trailer is... obviously this works... but best?

Seems to me if you can carry the weight with a single drive axle, that'd be better for turn radius and tire wear, especially for local deliveries.

I see plenty of local freight companies use single axle day cabs, as well beer and soft drink companies... they must work pretty good.

Nightcreacher.... why would you choose the straight truck?

Thanks!!
 
greg334

greg334

Veteran Expediter
Look at cabover tractors. The sod company down the road from my place has newer Fords with trailers and they are great for manuvering into and out of these tight subdivisions.
 
S

Stevenbr

Seasoned Expediter
Greg,

If you happen to get a chance to take a pic of one those setups, I'd love to see one.

If it's too much trouble, I understand.

The idea is interesting.
 
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