OPen Trailer Specifications

NJWashingGuy

New member
For those of you that run a dual axle open trailer with a 500-535 gallon water tank, what size axle are you running?
I am thinking of setting up a new open trailer and am trying to figure out what axle rating to get. It would also have 2 8gpm skids on it, reels, tool box etc.
Thanks and lets see whats working for everyone else.
Thanks,
Mike
 
2-3500# Axles most of the time you don't carry 500 gal of water around.
 
Good thing you have a Duramax to pull it with. LOL
 
Good thing you have a Duramax to pull it with. LOL

Jim,
Thanks, it will not haul 500 gallons of water unless its around a parking lot washing trucks....
Did you get your new rig together?
I am on the fence of 3500 or the 5200 or 6000 lb axles not sure and it need to fit into a garage with a 104 inch opening.
 
Hey Mike I was going to buy this trailer today since I was in NJ but I called the guy because I'm closing in on an enclosed trailer that me and this other guy are working out. This trailer is probably 20 minutes from you at most. The guy had it listed for $1800 then he dropped it down to $1200. I had the cash on me then I got that call about the enclosed trailer.
This trailer the guys name is Corrado. I was going to give him $1100. It's a good deal. Here's the link... http://newjersey.craigslist.org/bfs/2714950154.html
 
Hey Mike I was going to buy this trailer today since I was in NJ but I called the guy because I'm closing in on an enclosed trailer that me and this other guy are working out. This trailer is probably 20 minutes from you at most. The guy had it listed for $1800 then he dropped it down to $1200. I had the cash on me then I got that call about the enclosed trailer.
This trailer the guys name is Corrado. I was going to give him $1100. It's a good deal. Here's the link... http://newjersey.craigslist.org/bfs/2714950154.html

Thanks John, what did you find in the enclosed with the low height??
 
Mike,
If you can find a 5200# axle trailer at the right price I would always go heavier so you would not have problems. We have 3500# axles on ours and never had a problem.
 
I have bent 3 different axles with my trailer and the 325 gallon tank full. It is a 14' long trailer with 2 hot water skids on it.

A lot of times it is the potholes that bend the axles, not really the speed of driving in my case.

The way that the trailer guy explained it to me was that when you hit a pothole, he force is multiplied, it is not just the weight on that side of the trailer.

He also told me to never have the trailer more than 75% full to capacity as you need some room in case you hit potholes.

I was going to go with the 5200 pound axles but at the last minute I decided to stay with the 3500 pound axles as I will have less weight on the new trailer (fleetwashing trailer) and do not plan on hauling water as the current customers have plenty of water. I will be buying a box truck soon, just could not swing it by the end of the year and that truck will have a large water tank so when I get the customers that do not have water, I can haul it no problem.

Rember that the skids will be about 650 to 900 pounds empty, then add fuel to both tanks, water in the coil and then the weight of the trailer and then a partially filled water tank besides hoses and chemicals.

With 2 hot water skids, large tank, chemical tanks or drums, tools, etc..... I would probably go with the 5200 pound axles as the trailer will weigh about 800 pounds heavier with larger beams for the added weight capacity and that is 800 pounds less that you will have so you will only be able to put about 7500 pounds onto the trailer itself more or less and try to leave some weight off the trailer for potholes, especially in parking lots where they can get big and deep.

If you will have chemical drums on the trailer, the brightener can weigh up to 650 pounds and the soap a little bit less, just depends on how much you want to put on the trailer.

Each time I changed out an axle it cost me about $600 by the time you put brakes on the axle (brake hubs, brake assemblies, etc...) (I only get about 9 months to 1 year out of trailer brakes), the axle itself (with hardware), 1 hour labor, and 2 new tires (bent axles will chew the tread off the inside of the tires)
it adds up quick.

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks John, what did you find in the enclosed with the low height??
Hey Mike I just bought the trailer from a guy in Florida who's going to bring it up this way to see family. I just Sent a partial payment and the rest when I see him in about 3weeks. This trailer has2- 3500 axles and is 20' long. It has a ramp in the back,two swing out doors in the front so it looks like an open trailer with end tunnels and a large side door. It's in pristine condition with more lights added to it so you can see it at night much better. It's 80" in height. This trailer weighs close to 3000lbs empty. Then between the Swabby and another Powerwarwasher which may drive off together that's 2000lbs and they can be driven off of there. Then there will be a reclaim setup in there with 2 pump out tanks and a couple of water tanks. I do have another trailer and I may take the 5500lb axles off of it this big bulky Red trailer and switch them...maybe.

I'll show a picture of it when I get it. The best part is the trailer opens up at both ends and it's a low profile trailer..and for the guy to bring it close to my house from Florida and alot of extra lights added the price was $3000 for all.. And I need some expenses paid before tax time hits.
 
We are looking for another trailer right now as well before tax time. 14ft 7000# open (landscape type) if you see one in great shape let me know. Looks like we will just be buying new at this point. All the trailers we have looked at have been beat up 2 bad.
 
For those of you that run a dual axle open trailer with a 500-535 gallon water tank, what size axle are you running?
I am thinking of setting up a new open trailer and am trying to figure out what axle rating to get. It would also have 2 8gpm skids on it, reels, tool box etc.
Thanks and lets see whats working for everyone else.
Thanks,
Mike

I say 5200lb min. 6000 better.

How does it work wit DOT regs, I am not sure, but you have the potential to carry 535 gallons of water.
 
I say 5200lb min. 6000 better.

How does it work wit DOT regs, I am not sure, but you have the potential to carry 535 gallons of water.
Those heavy weight trailers are good but in my case the flatbed f-550 can carry 900 gallons of water so the heavyweight trailer I sold it off. There are some jobs we bring the flatbed to loaded with water because in the city water spigots are few and far between.. But 95% of the time we never carry more then 300 gallons of water. Those tanks on the flatbed are mostly use for holding tanks at the job site and they do need some water in there because the smallest gpm PW on the truck is 8.5gpm...

If you go with lighter 3500lb axles get the flip out jacks to go under the trailer and make sure your water tank is right over the axles. This would work at the job site but not to carry alot of water there.

Mike want to find good deals besides EBay..do a nationwide search on craigs list and also put in some states not far from you where you can buy trucks and trailers cheap..such as PA. Best place to buy new trucks.
 
I would go with 6,000 lbs. axles, then you can go with 16" wheels and tires. You gan get a much better tire with the 16" wheels. I had an enclosed trailer with 5200 lbs axles, 15" wheels and tires and they were needing to be replaced all the time. A tandem trailer scoots the tires every time you cut the steering wheel tight.
 
Great points Steven.

Don't overload the axles besides the damage you cause to the trailer if you get in an accident or get stopped by the DOT inspector you will be in a world of hurt with the fines. You also need to watch the overall combined weight of the truck and trailer. I was told that if the combined weight of the truck and trailer exceeds the 26001 threshold you will need a CDL.
 
get a 10k trailer or larger, its not so much the axles that will limit you on that 7k trailer but the frame being generally made from angle is the weakness. en you step up to a 10k trailer you get a c-channel frame, better bracing and a pipe top usually. As far as tires if you get 15' wheels, make sure the trailer is tall enough between the fenders and top of the tire to run 700.15 tires if possible, you will never replace those tires it seems. They run forever and burn very little tread doing it.
 
Mike,
Tom Vogel hooked me up with a place in Pa that I got a trailer cheaper then down here. Shop around. Mine was a 16 ft with 6k tandems. You could easily fit 2 skids and either two 275 or one 525 one it. Watch the areas you are in. We got stopped in Pa and was asked for a permit thru the county we were in. Apparently they have permits even though you have DOT. I think it was anything with the capability of carrying more then 500 gallons. Never heard that one before...
 
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