I started trucking in 03/2003 and was an O/O in 7 months including build time for my 1st Pete379 and receiving it. I ran one trip (one-way) with a partner. Everything else, by myself, starting with winters in Canada, blowing snow blinding white outs of the Saskatchewan prairies in a day cab so I was unable to stop at a pull out but forced to press on to the Super8 I had reservations at (in hind site, I never considered pulling off even though one could now only see the fog line). After a couple months of that, the carrier realized the KW day cab was never insured to leave the home province of MB...lucky us. They then gave me a tiny flat top Freightshaker with a 36" bunk. ( that's about when I ordered my 1st Pete. My Instructor at the driving school I attended in 1/2003 predicted I would be an O/O that quickly. I bought a reefer in 04 and have determined that there will never be any more money in it.

I have a plan at this point to sell my reefer and buy, perhaps a 55-ton, HRGN tridem with one air lift axle and provisions for future stinger (or spreader bar) and jeep. I am wondering how difficult;t this will be to accomplish if I just show up at a carrier with equipment but no real world experience. Having honed my teeth the way I have, I am pretty sure there is a carrier out there somewhere that will fly with this, it's just a matter of finding them.

hmm...TK, Fontaine, Cozad?

 

You make no mention of having open deck trailer experience such as a flat bed, step deck, etc., The only thing you mentioned in your post was pulling a reefer. From the carrier point of view I think that you will find it difficult to go from a reefer to a multi axle low boy and be readily accepted by a carrier. There is much risk to the carrier. When you pull an open deck trailer, especially when it involves more than 2 axles you are putting the carrier and yourself at considerable risk. I believe that I may have posted this before, but I will mention it again. The way it usually works is that a driver will start pulling a flat bed, move to steps and then possible to double drop or rgn. Multi axles and pulling a jeep come later. There is a lot to learn about over sized and pulling equipment and machinery. It is much different than pulling a reefer or van. You will need to learn how to chain and strap your load, where to put it on the trailer and how to run with a permitted load. In one respect it isn't all that complicated, but it does require time at some experience. Most carriers won't sign a lease with an owner operator to pull multi axle trailers without being able to check their experience.

With vans and reefers most loads are pretty much the same. With open deck trailers each load is different. If this is an area in which you want to get involved, I would suggest you take it a step at a time and become proficient with the basics before buying something such as you have suggested. It usually takes drivers several years before they move up to multi axle trailers, especially with a jeep. Also you need to understand that buying that type of equipment is very expensive and rates have been suppressed for about a year and half. A new rgn can easily cost over $60,000 not including the jeep or flip axle. With a multi axle set up you could spend over $250,000 just for the trailer, jeeps, etc., And if you get that type of set up you will likely want to add a fourth lift axle to your tractor and put heavier axles on the front. That will also be expensive.

There are basics you need to learn before going out and investing that kind of money. You need to learn how to secure the load, how many chains or straps to use and where to put them. If you pull an rgn you will also need to learn about blocking and a few other things. When you pull open deck trailers you will be scrutinized much more closely by the dot than anyone who pulls a van.

 

Hey where have you worked? I'm with Payne out of Winnipeg right now, sounds like you're from the area. I'd suggest giving them a call to at least get your foot in the door. They have a lot of flat/step freight right now, and do some RGN freight but not a lot. There's a few RGN specific carriers that serve our area including Mullen, Dallas, Sureshot, and a few others.

 

Hey Allan, I saw one of you guys at the I-81 exit 48 Nice and Easy TS last week with a load of JD tractors on a step. Don't see many Payne trucks in NY...if I knew you were with them I would have given a holler to see if it was you.

 

I see you're pulling a reefer. You'll need a wet line on that Pete to operate a hydraulic detachable. Or else you'll need to install a hydraulic power pack on the trailer. I haven't looked for many hydraulics, but I imagine the trailer that you're talking about might set you back $35K - $50K for a used one.

Before you do anything, why not contact the heavy haul carriers? They might be willing to put you under one of their steps to get your feet wet and move you into a double drop from there. Phone calls are cheap.

 

Check out my 2009 conestoga stepdeck in the "For Sale by Owner" section. I'm with a carrier in Ontario who mostly has flatbed freight so I'm selling my rolling tarp step. It has a 61" axle spread and super-low deck (120" usable inside hight). Might work well as a stepping stone from the reefer to an RGN, to build experience. The Conestoga was put on in January this year.

 

Just a thought here......IF the reefer is paid for...why sell it? Store it,maintain it, and use it when heavyhaul is dead.

Just a thought.

 

Didn't know you were selling. Damn it man, I wish you would have bought a 53.

 

That was the original plan when I went in to see Bruce at Trailers Canada Then I ran into issues of extra cost, weight, FAS vs RAS, overhang ... you name it. a 48 seemed to be the simplest solution. If I were doing this again, I'd've gotten something with at least 40 ft on the lower deck, eg a 51 footer.

 

This should work for you

2009 XL SPECIALIZED 55/60 ton extendable 3+2 w/ 28" rear bridge height Lowboy For Sale At TruckPaper.com

Then you will need a truck to pull it, maybe another 175K