Sleeper tractors; single or tandem axle?

Anything over 3 cars a tractor is always better, as far as your question goes, single vs tandem, that ALL depends on what you envision your hauling base to consist of and what kind of trailer and number of units you are looking at, without that info it will be tough to chose.

You could play it safe and just buy a tandem, I have seen tandem axle tractors pulling wedges, but in my opinion you let a lot of money on the table, between tire cost, maintenance, component cost, fuel mileage, tolls, etc.

Buying a tandem right off means you could move to a larger trailer in the future without changing trucks, so again, it just all depends, at some point, you, being and O/O, just has to take all of the info available, and make a gut decision, only you know what you want to do and where you want to be down the road, nobody else can answer that question for you.

 

Ive seen quite a few tandem axle trucks that just run outer wheels hauling the wedge type car and rv trailers. Or you could get a single axle that has enough wheelbase to add a lift to make it a tandem if you need to carry more weight.

 

A tandem would not let you get stuck where the singles might. Then again one would consider the wisdom of transporting small cars in a winter storm to a auction house that might not have a high population that day.

It's overkill. But if you are afraid of weights get a tandem. and remember that you will be tossing a bunch of money feeding that big boy until you find something bigger for it someday.

 

Listen to @KANSAS TRANSIT , he studies these things for a hobby! Really it does come down to your exact operation, we can't answer this question without knowing more. Here are a few things I have learned from almost two decades of owning or operating high-mount car haulers with single axle tractors;

1) Weight is usually not an issue unless you are planning on hauling 7 or more on a regular basis, or operate in states that only allow 20,000 pounds on your single drive axle. I ran mostly NY & PA, was allowed 22,400 on my single drive and saved thousands of dollars in tolls running the NY Thruway and NY City bridges daily.

2) As Stan said, tires and brakes can be a money saving factor, although if you are rough on your brakes or jack rabbit start (stomp on the throttle) your single axle drive tires will not last more that 80-90,000 miles. I always got better tire and brake wear out of my tractor then my hired drivers did, even when using the exact same truck.

3) Single axle trucks ride just a well as tandem trucks with air suspension, and will turn a little tighter if you are running in a city environment. Now, if you plan on being one of the high-mount heros that run their front loading ramp all the way out and try to put a full size pickup or van on the top deck and still get three more units behind it, yes you will notice the handling difference. Now, I am being a bit of an arse here, but it is a pet peeve of mine when operators severely exceed the over hang laws as it brings attention to all of us that we don't need. Currently law enforcement is on a over hang enforcement kick with regards to high-mounts and I firmly believe it is due to the increasing number of operators abusing the rules, welding 6' extensions onto their 53' trailers and stupid stuff like that.

4) If you are only hauling 6 or less (5 would be a safer number) you can register your combination weight low enough to avoid filing the 2290 Heavy Highway Use Tax. In addition to the couple hundred dollars saved each year your overall registration costs will be lower since apportioned registration is weight based.

 

I haven't looked in a while at the used single axle market, but several years ago they practically gave them away when comparing the same mileage, year, condition single axle to a tandem. I would think a longer wheelbase single axle low mileage tractor would be a great place to start. I like the idea of putting a liftable tag axle later if the you need it and the frame is heavy enough.

 

I suppose that a single-screw would be okay for a smaller trailer. But for a full-sized car hauler, you best stick with a tandem axle setup. We had one of those a long time ago and, while the truck was in Florida, it was okay (nice, flat land). But, once you get into the western U.S., with its nice, long grades, you will wish like heck that you were driving a tandem axle once you start smoking brakes on those mountains with a full load.

 

Nonsense, all depends on your weight, he said he was only looking at hauling 4 or 5 cars, my rigs run to all of the 48, and have been on passes that I doubt you have ever heard of, at 54,000 in a newer truck with the better jakes, you should never have to touch your brakes.

If you are smoking brakes on a single axle at less than 50,000 pounds, park the truck and look for other employment. JMHO

 

You know I have seen that, but always wondered how it was legal? Most shops won't single a truck or trailer out for you even in an emergency.

 

Yea Im not sure ether. I mean guys run supers on drivers so I guess as long as you're not over on tire weight I dont see why it wouldnt hurt. Especially if your only going 25-28,000 on a tandem. I know a lot of 4 axles run singles on the number 1&4 axles as they are normally 50-53,000 for 15-17' spreads out here in the northwest so with 12 tires its good enough and saves 4-500 pounds on tare weight. Not saying Id run a singled out tandem drive but I see where it could be just fine legally.