40k Gooseneck vs Single Axle Semi?

[Rancher Ed]

I recently noticed that at least three trailer manufacturers are now offering gooseneck flatbeds with a GVWR up to 40k pounds.

• Diamond C FMAX216 (GVWR: 30,000 to 40,000 lbs)
• Maxx-D LHX (GVWR: 36,000 to 40,000 lbs)
• Kraftsman Trailers G4-40 (GVWR 40,000 lbs)

This got me thinking, at what point does it make sense to switch from a gooseneck to a full semi trailer behind a single axle tractor?
A quick search shows several manufactures of drop-deck trailers available with flip-up ramps:

• Demco Trailers
• Behnke Trailers
• Jet Trailers
• Neville Single Axle Trailer

For those of you using a 30k+ GVWR gooseneck where a F450/f500 or F550/5500 truck is required to handle the tongue weight, did you consider a single axle semi? Is a need for 4WD a hindrance to stepping up to a larger truck? I used class 7 tractor costs less to purchase than a gently used Class 4 or 5 truck and has more power plus a jake brake, but are they more expensive to operate?

I do not have a need to haul 20k to 30k pounds of equipment/hay/etc. right now but was curious at what point it makes sense to switch to a larger truck and drop-deck trailer with air brakes, etc.

 

[jaxs]

Insurance and registeration is considerablly more expensive for a semi,some jursdictions more than others plus considerations for farm use. Checking your state requirements might make the decision easier. I noticed you are in Texas,I haven't checked recently but insurance in the past has been prohibitive on semis for my use. I rarly see anything except cattle trucks around here and those are tandem drives and largest engines available. One thing that makes a semi nice is friends will borrow your tractor when they borrow your trailer.

 

[Hay Dude]

I recently noticed that at least three trailer manufacturers are now offering gooseneck flatbeds with a GVWR up to 40k pounds.

• Diamond C FMAX216 (GVWR: 30,000 to 40,000 lbs)
• Maxx-D LHX (GVWR: 36,000 to 40,000 lbs)
• Kraftsman Trailers G4-40 (GVWR 40,000 lbs)

This got me thinking, at what point does it make sense to switch from a gooseneck to a full semi trailer behind a single axle tractor?
A quick search shows several manufactures of drop-deck trailers available with flip-up ramps:

• Demco Trailers
• Behnke Trailers
• Jet Trailers
• Neville Single Axle Trailer

For those of you using a 30k+ GVWR gooseneck where a F450/f500 or F550/5500 truck is required to handle the tongue weight, did you consider a single axle semi? Is a need for 4WD a hindrance to stepping up to a larger truck? I used class 7 tractor costs less to purchase than a gently used Class 4 or 5 truck and has more power plus a jake brake, but are they more expensive to operate?

I do not have a need to haul 20k to 30k pounds of equipment/hay/etc. right now but was curious at what point it makes sense to switch to a larger truck and drop-deck trailer with air brakes, etc.

I did consider one. I even have a CDL with air brake endorsement.
What it came down to for me was storage and traction. Cost to own is more in repairs for a used road tractor versus a new Ram, but the insurance was no different between my air braked class 8 and my Ram 5500.

Barns are full of equipment. I wanted to try to do it all with one truck (although I do have 2 trucks). I was thinking about a road tractor and flatbed, which would haul anything versus a 550/5500 with a very heavy GN. The Ram has a surprisingly effective exhaust brake, too. It’ll slow the truck down fully loaded with just light use of the service brakes.

Storage: My Ram 5500 pulls my Kaufman 38,500lb GN about as good as I can ask, but I can then detach it, and put it in my garage at nigh or use it for a multitude of other tasks. I can’t do that with a road tractor.

Traction: The Ram with 4WD gets great traction, even better than a tandem with lockers IMO. The road tractor is heavy and will sink quickly with hot tires on frozen ground. Then traction off road becomes a problem.

 

[Rancher Ed]

I have gathered that insurance/registration is a very local consideration and can very even within a state as well as state-to-state. Higher recurring fixed costs would be a definite strike against a small semi compared to a large gooseneck.

Interesting point about storage/parking and being able to utilize the two vehicle for other tasks. It is something I had not thought about.

With 4x4 road tractors being extremely rare and expensive traction definitely favors the smaller F550/5500 truck as well. It seems the flexibility, 4WD, and possibly insurance/registration costs still favor the heavy gooseneck which explains why there are multiple manufacturers offering the option and I have not seen any mini semis running around.

 

[Hay Dude]

I have gathered that insurance/registration is a very local consideration and can very even within a state as well as state-to-state. Higher recurring fixed costs would be a definite strike against a small semi compared to a large gooseneck.

Interesting point about storage/parking and being able to utilize the two vehicle for other tasks. It is something I had not thought about.

With 4x4 road tractors being extremely rare and expensive traction definitely favors the smaller F550/5500 truck as well. It seems the flexibility, 4WD, and possibly insurance/registration costs still favor the heavy gooseneck which explains why there are multiple manufacturers offering the option and I have not seen any mini semis running around.

I currently have and have previously owned large air-braked 4x4 single axle trucks. They are definitely stouter and have stronger brakes, but they are typically low powered and struggle just to run uphill empty. I stumbled upon a IH7500 4x4 with high TQ/HP and bought it because it was such a rare find.

The other thing is traction. The big 4x4 will sink in mud and lacks the nimble maneuverability of a 4500/5500. I used to have an IH4800 4x4 and it got good traction, but it was clumsy and at 16,000lbs empty, would sink or dig into mud if the wheels start to spin.

Either way you’ll need a CDL, but for anything in the light-medium towing category, a 4500/5500 is so much more practical. With a crew cab, you can double purpose it as a people-hauler than park it in a residential garage at night with all your tools on board. Can‘t really do that with a big 4x4.