53' Step Deck. Tridem or Tandem

I pull a 48 with ramps. Fixed spread. Wood deck. Once in a while I find something that requires a 53' but it is rare. Not often enough to make me wish I had one.

 

I pulled the trigger on a 53' big bubba tridem last winter. Haven't pulled it a whole lot but love the trailer.
I've got a really light wt truck. I can still scale real close to 48,000# with 150 gal of fuel and no gear on board other than tarps and straps.
In reality it's closer to 46,500# with ramps, lots of chains, dunnage, tire chains ect...... That's still lighter than a lot of guys with a 48' tandem step.
The main reason for me to go with a tridem was for running Canada with their crazy laws against spread axles.
I for sure wanted a 53' for the longer bottom deck.
But 99% of 53' stepdecks are California sliders.
AKA closed tandem way the heck forward and a **** to load.
This a 1,600 mile bunch of partials for $3.55/mile.
Without that extra 5' it would have been $2.20.


Mine is a normal Canada spec 53'
12' spread and 41' from kpin to center axle.
The problem is alot of them eastern states you mentioned have kingpin laws and some measure off the rear axle not the center.
I know I'm over in IL and In. The rest east of the Miss river I don't care about as I ain't a goin there.

I originally wanted to rig the rear axle up as a lift.
Just for running light and mabey someday if I get a brain fart to go east.
The problem is the way the trailer is arched, there's not enough room to get it high enough off the ground when empty. I thought about putting a dual ride height valve on and jacking the height up to be able to raise it empty but haven't tried it yet.
17.5 rubber on the rear would do it.
All in all I'm happy with mine. It gives a guy more options. In theory I'm able to load up to about 77,000# on the deck if the specifics are right that the trailer can take it.
(Long enough and sitting on the beams)
I wouldn't do a wheeled piece much over 30,000.
A steel and wood tridem is going to be one heavy trailer.
It all depends on what you've got the freight for.

 

Tridem will let you pull 101,000 gross in Canada.

I'm sure @Hurst can let you in on the life of a 53' step and equipment loading.

Personally, I prefer highboys all around. Steps are great for the extra clearance, but unless you do lots of equipment, you aren't going to find much that will require that extra height. The convenience for short loads on a step (24' bar steel for instance) and the ease of strapping and tarping is a major advantage physically for the body. You can also get bigger tarp boxes and more storage space along the frame. Hauling those risers around (especially if they are steel) is a pain.

Honestly, that's all I've got on step decks. I'm not the biggest fan but do enjoy pulling them when given the chance.

 

I pull a 53' Step with tandem spread where the rear axle slides. Also have the HD Ramps kit.

I absolutely love it the extra length. 43' lower deck with 10' upper deck. Rare to need the upper deck for exclusive loads. I mainly do machinery and equipment. Most of what I do is under 40k lbs.

How ever, I'm a better to have a not need kind of guy. The versatility my set up offers me, rarely leaves me searching for a load because I cant do something.

I pulled a 48' all aluminum tridem step for a month while my trailer was in the shop. I was shocked to discover my empty weight with the all aluminum tridem was only 200lbs less than my 53' combo loaded with much more gear. The Tridem was a Wilson. My trailer is a Fontaine Infinity.

48' Tridem


vs
53' Spread







.

So in my opinion,.. unless your really specializing in moving that kind of weight,.. OS/OW etc,.. for someone like me who doesnt,.. I'm better off with the extra deck space. Even if its not always utilized,.. I have it for when I need it.

In all honestly,.. the only place I have had trouble with the king pin length on eastern states is my home state of Fla. Never hassled me for years,.. then all of a sudden twice in 2 months. True,.. they allow 44k on tandems,.. and I could have slid the rear in. Its just such a PITA to slide with a load on. So option 2,.. annual permit. $30 now,.. used to be only $20.

I been told,.. I honestly do not know the official rule,.. I really should check on it. But been told its a $700 fine in Connecticut to be off the interstate with a 53' spread and over 41' king pin to center axle. Mine is 41.5'. I have personally never been hassled in Ct. As for Indiana and Illinois,.. I a lot of I80 from Oct till I take my winter break in Dec and have never been hassled in either state. I dont do a lot of Cali either as my truck is an 05 and not exactly legal there,.. but even so,.. I have never once been hassled there either.

Edit:
Wanted to add,.. not that I specialize in containers. But from time to time I find myself moving them. 43' lower deck makes securing 2x 20' containers a breeze. Single 40' is nothing either.

Also,.. the low profile step is nice for tall loads. But I had issues with the smaller brakes to accommodate the 17.5 wheels. I smoked them once exiting a ramp. Made sure I exited much slower after that. The carrier I lease on with owns the Tridem. His main complaints are tires and brakes. I have 22.5 wheels on my 53. I'm averaging 130 - 150k mi now using BFGoodrich ST230 tires. I put new drums and shoes on my trailer in Jan 2015. I dont expect to replace the shoes till next summer,.. maybe early fall. See how it goes.

I'm personally not a big fan of 17.5 wheels. But I do understand their purpose and IF they paid enough for tall loads that need a low profile to justify the added expense thats what I would have.

Hurst

 

@Hegemeister Good to see things are going well for you. Just curious, the LS step you have been pulling, would you consider buying one like that? Aren't those 51 feet with sliding rear axle? What do you like and dislike about those.

 

102,500 lbs (46,500 kg) as of December 2014

5,500 Steer
17,000 Tandem
24,000 Tridem

Page 11 - http://www.comt.ca/english/programs/trucking/MOU 2014.pdf​

 

In the next couple of weeks I hope. I'm like you at the moment, trying to decide on a trailer. Lol

 

We got this trailer a year ago, 2013 Transcraft 53' (10'/43') DTL 3000, front axle is stationary, both rear axles lift independently. I like having the option of a tandem, spread or tridem, at the flip of a couple of switches.

Put a few heavy loads on it, but in reality have had more wide or tall loads on it.