Lo Pro stepdecks

Unless you have some exceptionally tall freight there's no reason to run the low pro step.

The steps I pull are all on 255/75x22.5 rubber. Deck height on them is 42" at the front of the lower deck a 52" fifth wheel. The all aluminum Benson 48x102 steps run right at 10K empty with 1 box and a spare tire.

Can easily run 10ft high frieght on them.


The 17.5 tires can be rated for just as much as 22.5. You just have to step up to 20ply instead of the 14 or 16ply tires usually found on 22.5 rins. They won't take high speed as well though.

 

I have an all aluminum trailer. 48' step 17.5" tires.
I run spot market 50%.
I bought it because the price was right.
I got about a 100,000 miles out of this first set of tires.
I found keeping the trailer aligned helped a lot on tire wear.

I could do most of my work with 22.5" tires.
Usually the reason a customer wants a low trailer is to save on permits or pole car.
I had only one load they needed low trailer to get load in delivery building.

My last trailer had 19.5".

Both trailers, the only time I had problems with blowouts, when I ran legal heavy over 65mph extended time during July, August with recaps.

Knock on wood, no problems with virgin tires. I do keep my speed under 70 usually 63-65 with 48,000 load.
My trailer has the auto air system. Works great.

Smaller tires can be a challenge to replace away from home.
$600 for a Michelin. Oh gee thanks.
Please sell me 8. Or if available some Chinese knock off for $400.00.

If I was to buy the trailer I want. It would be what you described. 53'aluminum stepdeck. Maybe a triaxle.
Beaver tail or ramp kit. Disc brakes, led lights, auto tire air inflation system.

I like the lower deck height. I can usually get a good paying load out when I deliver to the great plains. Wy.mt.co.ne.nd.sd. Western Texas.
Good luck

 

I ran 17.5s when I was leased on and only ever had one blow out, if you spend the extra cash and buy good tires you won't have any problems.

 

This go for any size of tire, but especially so with the smaller diameter tires. But good tires and take the time to check them over every day and don't exceed their speed and load limit.

 

A combo is going to be real heavy. Probably looking at up to 14k before you start adding boxes tarps chains ramps and levelers. Im offer 34k empty with a combo 48ft flat. A 53 combo drop deck would put me at 37k easy.

 

not needed most unloading places have ramps built into the ground to load an unload. but ramps must be locked and chained under trailer if you want to keep them