Quote:
Originally Posted by GH85Carrera
Pete, I am curious. I have a question about your trailer. What sort of realistic useful life does a trailer like that have? How many miles or is it measured in years.
Obviously the things like wheels & tires and wheel bearings and brakes get replaced every so often. I am sure the air bags need maintenance and replacement. The pivot attachment has wear and maintenance. What else wears out on a flat bed trailer? Is it just rust and corrosion that ultimately kills a trailer?
I know almost as much about simi-trailers as I do nuclear power. I understand the basic concept but not much about the real long term operation of either.
I presume at some point it is logical to replace the entire trailer with a new one rather that repair an old one. But unless it is damaged in an accident is would seem like it is logical to keep fixing little wear items. Obviously it is a business and not an emotional attachment like and old 911.
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As you suspected.....it's rust that is the major contributor to the need to replace a trailer. They live in a very hostile environment...... salt/chloride spray in the winter
shortens the life of them rapidly around these parts.
Air bags surprisingly last a long time baring any road debris hitting them.
The king pin (pivot attachment) and fifth wheel (on the truck) ,if kept greased, can last 12-15 years. Run them dry and they're gone in no time.
The crane behind me is the same (Manatowoc 2250) as what i have on.
I takes 18 loads to move one. 2 overwidth/ overweight (upper works and car body) 2 overweight (track frames) the rest are legal loads ( counter weights and boom sections)
here's a video of one being loaded out.
http://youtu.be/ntykqAFyehU