Regular Vs. Car Hauler Spec Suspension Differences

usually they are low, the lowest as I know is Rolfo. It is not all. Suspention are designed to resist roll over forces better thn any regular suspention, becouse cars got its suspention and rocks on springs when truck runs

Car haulers are light load specified, becose cars are light and full payload of car hauler is about 8-10 000 kg, so trucktor trailer combination may be four axle with single tires on trailer wheels

 

Generally, they have heavier front suspension and a drop axle. The hangers are the same, just heavier springs. Our Pete's have 17K front suspensions, which mean a heavier drop axle and 3 leaf springs. This is for the extra weight over the hood. On the drives, they run standard Peterbilt low air leaf with 255/70R22.5 rubber. Some go for the extreme and run 19.5" rubber, which requires 15" brakes.

Loads very greatly. Most high rail trailers hold 7 cars, plus 3 or 4 on the head rack. Our 379's with a 48" sleeper only hold 3 on the head rack. Heavy cars like Mercedes, you only get 8 on our trucks before you're over weight. Larger SUV's and/or full size pick up's, you usually run out of room before you're over weight.

Many also have an over lift option added. This raises the air ride on the drives and trailer about 4" when engaged. You cannot drive down the road like that, but it helps with the low clearance of the trailers when you going over RR tracks than things like that.

Empty weight on our truck/trailer combinations are about 43-45,000. So to get 10 cars on, they need to average 3500 lbs each. Some of the Mecedes that we haul are a little over 4000 lbs, so you can't get 9 on legally all the time.

 

Yes. We lowered ours another inch through the air ride, which required different wedge shims to get the drive line angles right. I can only speak for our 379 Pete's though, they were ordered from Pete spec'd for car haulers. They have standard low air leaf rear suspension.

All in all, with 275/70R22.5 steers, the fronts are dropped a bout 4 inches. On the rear with the air ride lowered and smaller tires, they are about 3 inches lower that a standard 379.

If you're wanting to lower your truck, a car hauler steer axle will do the front, but I would not use the heavier springs. The rear is tougher, 255 drives are not a good option. They are more expensive when you consider little to no casing value and they do not last as long as a normal low pro.

If your considering buying a truck that was a car hauler, there are a lot of other little things to consider as well.

 

I see a Canadian company that has really low flats...name isn't coming to me at the moment. Xmas trees in season, patio block year round. Spoke with one of their drivers he said the deck height is that low to accommodate a high cube (container locks on trailer) sea box and be below legal height. I don't know the height but it couldn't be more than 36". Looks like a stepdeck with no step. Suspension must be setup for it. Driver said they special order the trailers and keep them Til they are junk.
Mostly green freightliners...I can't be the only one to have seen this setup.

 

I saw 19.5" tires on car haulers. There are car haulers made not likre fifth wheel trucktor, but like a Euro Combo ore truck + Dr. Bar Trailer on very low tires. 19.5" trailer tires, 275/55R22.5 - trucktor.

I used to work for GM Dealer for three years and I saw many car haulers. Some were local make especially for regular road trucktor.
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Imo, best car haulers are Rolfo made on low chassis, generally on Daimler Truck chassis, but they are expencive to mauintane

 

this is car hauler trailer especially made for regular trucktor.