HIGH RAIL TRAILER, WHY?

ast26909 · May 2, 2019

I want to buy a stinger, I see a lot of stingers with high rail trailer. What are the advantages of a high rail trailer? It seems the biggest disadvantages is driver can't get out of vehicles easily because the driver door can't open all the way. Let's hear your opinion or experience.

Banker · May 3, 2019

After owning one for a little over 3 years I probably wouldn’t get rid of it for a quickloader. Possibly would for an 80ft quickloader. Generally I can load as quick as I could with a quickloader. The advantages I see are that if it is a 7car trailer you can sometimes haul an extra unit. You can also put big loads on it that you may not be able to do with a quick loader. (75 ft quick loader) You can also unload under the back top unit which sometimes will prevent a re-load(not a huge advantage but handy at times).
The learning curve can be much longer on a high rail. The weight is higher compared to a 75ft quickloader. The door issue you speak of isn’t an issue for me as I learned to position a unit where the door opens fine. Putting large units on it are tight, but 2500’s with camper mirrors fit fine all the way forward. I have seen pictures of people loading duallys (cab and chassis) all the way forward, but that is too close for me. If you are hauling a variety of freight on multiple stops I would pick a highrail. I have been told that the 80ft quickloader is nearly as heavy, I don’t know firsthand.

carhaulerjeff · May 3, 2019

Banker said: ↑

After owning one for a little over 3 years I probably wouldn’t get rid of it for a quickloader. Possibly would for an 80ft quickloader. Generally I can load as quick as I could with a quickloader. The advantages I see are that if it is a 7car trailer you can sometimes haul an extra unit. You can also put big loads on it that you may not be able to do with a quick loader. (75 ft quick loader) You can also unload under the back top unit which sometimes will prevent a re-load(not a huge advantage but handy at times).
The learning curve can be much longer on a high rail. The weight is higher compared to a 75ft quickloader. The door issue you speak of isn’t an issue for me as I learned to position a unit where the door opens fine. Putting large units on it are tight, but 2500’s with camper mirrors fit fine all the way forward. I have seen pictures of people loading duallys (cab and chassis) all the way forward, but that is too close for me. If you are hauling a variety of freight on multiple stops I would pick a highrail. I have been told that the 80ft quickloader is nearly as heavy, I don’t know firsthand.
Click to expand...

the 2018 western star 80ft quikloader i drive is 43200 pounds full of fuel and def

LBZ · May 4, 2019

Was always curious how much more maintenance went into a high rail vs a quick loader. While am sure it is not a deal breaker, the quick loaders just appear so simple.

ast26909 · May 5, 2019

Banker said: ↑

After owning one for a little over 3 years I probably wouldn’t get rid of it for a quickloader. Possibly would for an 80ft quickloader. Generally I can load as quick as I could with a quickloader. The advantages I see are that if it is a 7car trailer you can sometimes haul an extra unit. You can also put big loads on it that you may not be able to do with a quick loader. (75 ft quick loader) You can also unload under the back top unit which sometimes will prevent a re-load(not a huge advantage but handy at times).
The learning curve can be much longer on a high rail. The weight is higher compared to a 75ft quickloader. The door issue you speak of isn’t an issue for me as I learned to position a unit where the door opens fine. Putting large units on it are tight, but 2500’s with camper mirrors fit fine all the way forward. I have seen pictures of people loading duallys (cab and chassis) all the way forward, but that is too close for me. If you are hauling a variety of freight on multiple stops I would pick a highrail. I have been told that the 80ft quickloader is nearly as heavy, I don’t know firsthand.
Click to expand...

If getting in and out not a big problem plus that 7th car then I'm in favor These stingers are expensive no doubt, I'm a Freightliner/Detroit Diesel fan plus I prefer an automatic so that limits my choices to the newer Western Star or older Sterling with Mercedes engine (manual 10 speed) these can be had for cheap at auctions but they don't have sleeper.

Anyone knows if these low mount trailers are interchangeable? I mean can they be hooked up to different low mount tractors just easily as regular tractors swapping out dry van, flat bed, low boy...?

Kawinige01 · May 6, 2019

Banker said: ↑

After owning one for a little over 3 years I probably wouldn’t get rid of it for a quickloader. Possibly would for an 80ft quickloader. Generally I can load as quick as I could with a quickloader. The advantages I see are that if it is a 7car trailer you can sometimes haul an extra unit. You can also put big loads on it that you may not be able to do with a quick loader. (75 ft quick loader) You can also unload under the back top unit which sometimes will prevent a re-load(not a huge advantage but handy at times).
The learning curve can be much longer on a high rail. The weight is higher compared to a 75ft quickloader. The door issue you speak of isn’t an issue for me as I learned to position a unit where the door opens fine. Putting large units on it are tight, but 2500’s with camper mirrors fit fine all the way forward. I have seen pictures of people loading duallys (cab and chassis) all the way forward, but that is too close for me. If you are hauling a variety of freight on multiple stops I would pick a highrail. I have been told that the 80ft quickloader is nearly as heavy, I don’t know firsthand.
Click to expand...

The weights aren't that much higher. Depending on specs. I wouldn't switch to a standard quick loader either but those 80 fters are nice. We just got 30 of them

Kawinige01 · May 6, 2019

Banker said: ↑

After owning one for a little over 3 years I probably wouldn’t get rid of it for a quickloader. Possibly would for an 80ft quickloader. Generally I can load as quick as I could with a quickloader. The advantages I see are that if it is a 7car trailer you can sometimes haul an extra unit. You can also put big loads on it that you may not be able to do with a quick loader. (75 ft quick loader) You can also unload under the back top unit which sometimes will prevent a re-load(not a huge advantage but handy at times).
The learning curve can be much longer on a high rail. The weight is higher compared to a 75ft quickloader. The door issue you speak of isn’t an issue for me as I learned to position a unit where the door opens fine. Putting large units on it are tight, but 2500’s with camper mirrors fit fine all the way forward. I have seen pictures of people loading duallys (cab and chassis) all the way forward, but that is too close for me. If you are hauling a variety of freight on multiple stops I would pick a highrail. I have been told that the 80ft quickloader is nearly as heavy, I don’t know firsthand.
Click to expand...

42'700 is our 264 wb small bunk paccar and 13spd 80 ft quickloader. I'll get the empty weight on the same setup with the big bunk

Colorato · May 7, 2019

My Volvo day cab is 44,300 empty. The 80’ quick loader is heavier, allegedly.

Best advantage to a high rail, versatility

pavrom · May 8, 2019

ast26909 said: ↑

If getting in and out not a big problem plus that 7th car then I'm in favor These stingers are expensive no doubt, I'm a Freightliner/Detroit Diesel fan plus I prefer an automatic so that limits my choices to the newer Western Star or older Sterling with Mercedes engine (manual 10 speed) these can be had for cheap at auctions but they don't have sleeper.

Anyone knows if these low mount trailers are interchangeable? I mean can they be hooked up to different low mount tractors just easily as regular tractors swapping out dry van, flat bed, low boy...?
Click to expand...

Yes they can ...i would say 90% ... Hydraulic lines could have different ends , other than that you should be good .. i noticed some of them have 5th wheel mounted couple inches different ( depends on manufacturer )

stanton · Nov 11, 2020

Colorato said: ↑

My Volvo day cab is 44,300 empty. The 80’ quick loader is heavier, allegedly.

Best advantage to a high rail, versatility
Click to expand...

What year? And model?

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