Super D

[phatTweaker]

I read a thread on another forum about the possibility of using a single axel tractor (or tandem for that matter) and using a 28' or so pup as an expediter. Haven't heard much more about the subject and was wondering if that could possibly be the future sweet spot truck configuration for an expediter. Would any companies accept a rig like that? (the original thread said Landstar was about the only one).
Or is the bread and butter truck likely to remain a straight truck for the near future?

 

[guest]

This is one of those things that seems to be widely discussed and rarely done. I suppose that the short answer may be that when you really put pen to paper and look at the economics of buying your own 28 foot trailer as opposed to using someone else's 53 foot trailer with much higher revenue potential, people who have a tractor opt for the 53 foot company owned trailer.

With that said, I think about the possibilities of such a setup a lot.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

I almost went that route. I don't like 53'ers, but would feel more comfortable running a pup.

Another route is getting a cabover and putting a long box on it. The setup I have now uses a 28' box, but I'd have no prob putting a 30' on it. I drove an argosy COE with a 30' box, and it was cream-of-the-crop! That truck turned on a dime.

Here's what I see with putting something like either of these ideas on with a company, tho. You won't get many E loads, as dispatchers won't go out of their way to see if a t/t load will fit. Very simple... a 28' box will fit 14 standard skids when loaded normally. A 24' box fits 12. There are a handful of loads that will fit in that area. I've had two so far. With a pup, you're looking at carrying mucho weighto. But there aren't many loads at 14 skids and 25k+ lbs.

I see the pup option as being a cheaper alternative to buying a tractor and stretching it. You also have the luxury of having a long sleeper with a larger capacity box than normal trucks. And the thing about this is... if your trailer gets trashed, you just get another one. Bad thing is, it'll take alot of practice backing it. From what I understand, it's harder than a normal sized trailer.