2 axle vs 3 axle hopper bottom

Jan 17, 2025 at 02:36 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Whats better? Is the added capacity worth the hassle of having a bigger trailer with worse fuel economy? Been hauling grain on the family farm for over 10 years and planning on finally getting my cdl to haul for local elevators and co-ops as an owner operator. Will be hauling mostly corn, beans, wheat, sunflowers, canola, and fertilizer.

Replied on Sat, Jan 18, 2025 at 10:41 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Nation wide 80000 for a tandem tandem i ND 67 feet from front steer to rear axle on a triple is 94000 1000 lbs per foot plus or minus tripple triple can go to 105500 with the right length most triple triple in nd is 102500 244 in wheelbase and a 48 foot triple is 90000 A 50 spread axle and 250 in tractor is 86000

Replied on Sat, Jan 18, 2025 at 11:41 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "Nation wide 80000 for a tandem tandem i ND 67 feet from front steer to rear axle on a triple is 94000 1000 lbs per foot plus or minus tripple triple can go to 105500 with the right length most triple triple in nd is 102500 244 in wheelbase and a 48 foot triple is 90000 A 50 spread axle and 250 in tractor is 86000" Most triple trailers end up overloading the drives. A three hopper three axle seems to be the answer for farm to market or transfer. Espo in the spring when weight restrictions are on. DOT likes to use it as a pocket liner shush fund

Replied on Sat, Jan 18, 2025 at 11:41 AM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "Nation wide 80000 for a tandem tandem i ND 67 feet from front steer to rear axle on a triple is 94000 1000 lbs per foot plus or minus tripple triple can go to 105500 with the right length most triple triple in nd is 102500 244 in wheelbase and a 48 foot triple is 90000 A 50 spread axle and 250 in tractor is 86000"

Most triple trailers end up overloading the drives. A three hopper three axle seems to be the answer for farm to market or transfer. Espo in the spring when weight restrictions are on. DOT likes to use it as a pocket liner shush fund

Replied on Sat, Jan 18, 2025 at 02:17 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. It really depends on where you want to run. If you only want to haul local then get the extra axles if you are in a state that allows the extra weight. If you want to go over the road and travel the interstates, it would be wise to run a tandem or spread. Remember that when it's time to plate you're truck with an apportioned plate, in order to legally haul over 80k (on state highways) you must plate for your desired weight. If you travel interstates, 80k is the limit regardless of axles unless you have a permit.

Replied on Sat, Jan 18, 2025 at 02:17 PM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

It really depends on where you want to run. If you only want to haul local then get the extra axles if you are in a state that allows the extra weight. If you want to go over the road and travel the interstates, it would be wise to run a tandem or spread. Remember that when it's time to plate you're truck with an apportioned plate, in order to legally haul over 80k (on state highways) you must plate for your desired weight. If you travel interstates, 80k is the limit regardless of axles unless you have a permit.

Replied on Sun, Jan 19, 2025 at 05:28 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "Nation wide 80000 for a tandem tandem i ND 67 feet from front steer to rear axle on a triple is 94000 1000 lbs per foot plus or minus tripple triple can go to 105500 with the right length most triple triple in nd is 102500 244 in wheelbase and a 48 foot triple is 90000 A 50 spread axle and 250 in tractor is 86000" Leaning more towards a tandem tandem. Im on the eastern side of ND so would be traveling into minnesota and south dakota. Extra weight from more axles than I need sounds like something I wouldnt want to drag around since minnesota looks like its capped at 80,000? How does the spread axle factor into the rating? Can you achieve the same 86,000lb weight rating from a regular tandom with a longer wheelbase truck?

Replied on Sun, Jan 19, 2025 at 05:28 AM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Leaning more towards a tandem tandem. Im on the eastern side of ND so would be traveling into minnesota and south dakota. Extra weight from more axles than I need sounds like something I wouldnt want to drag around since minnesota looks like its capped at 80,000? How does the spread axle factor into the rating? Can you achieve the same 86,000lb weight rating from a regular tandom with a longer wheelbase truck?

Replied on Sun, Jan 19, 2025 at 08:32 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "Leaning more towards a tandem tandem. Im on the eastern side of ND so would be traveling into minnesota and south dakota. Extra weight from more axles than I need sounds like something I wouldnt want to drag around since minnesota looks like its capped at 80,000? How does the spread axle factor into the rating? Can you achieve the same 86,000lb weight rating from a regular tandom with a longer wheelbase truck?" Tandems are capped at 80,000 regardless of truck wheelbase. The only exception is if it's harvest time, when most states let you haul (grain) 10% over gross on state highways. You will have to check the laws in the states you plan on running. Here in Michigan, a spread does not count for any axtra gross weight. A spread does however allow more weight on the trailer axles, which in turn makes it easier to scale 80,000 without being over on your drive axles. A spread is the best bang for your buck if you want to run the interstates.

Replied on Sun, Jan 19, 2025 at 08:32 PM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "Leaning more towards a tandem tandem. Im on the eastern side of ND so would be traveling into minnesota and south dakota. Extra weight from more axles than I need sounds like something I wouldnt want to drag around since minnesota looks like its capped at 80,000? How does the spread axle factor into the rating? Can you achieve the same 86,000lb weight rating from a regular tandom with a longer wheelbase truck?"

Tandems are capped at 80,000 regardless of truck wheelbase. The only exception is if it's harvest time, when most states let you haul (grain) 10% over gross on state highways. You will have to check the laws in the states you plan on running. Here in Michigan, a spread does not count for any axtra gross weight. A spread does however allow more weight on the trailer axles, which in turn makes it easier to scale 80,000 without being over on your drive axles. A spread is the best bang for your buck if you want to run the interstates.

Replied on Sun, Jan 19, 2025 at 08:32 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "Leaning more towards a tandem tandem. Im on the eastern side of ND so would be traveling into minnesota and south dakota. Extra weight from more axles than I need sounds like something I wouldnt want to drag around since minnesota looks like its capped at 80,000? How does the spread axle factor into the rating? Can you achieve the same 86,000lb weight rating from a regular tandom with a longer wheelbase truck?" Minnesota you can run up to 97,000 with an ag permit. I believe it is less than $500 per year. Also South Dakota you can run interstate over 80,000 with the permit.

Replied on Sun, Jan 19, 2025 at 08:32 PM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Minnesota you can run up to 97,000 with an ag permit. I believe it is less than $500 per year. Also South Dakota you can run interstate over 80,000 with the permit.

Replied on Mon, Jan 20, 2025 at 07:31 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "Minnesota you can run up to 97,000 with an ag permit. I believe it is less than $500 per year. Also South Dakota you can run interstate over 80,000 with the permit." I'm just curious, can you gross 97,000 in Minnesota with a tandem, or do you have to have additional axles? Here in Michigan you can legally gross all the way up to 164,000 pounds if you're plated for the weight and have the extra axles.

Replied on Mon, Jan 20, 2025 at 07:31 AM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "Minnesota you can run up to 97,000 with an ag permit. I believe it is less than $500 per year. Also South Dakota you can run interstate over 80,000 with the permit."

I'm just curious, can you gross 97,000 in Minnesota with a tandem, or do you have to have additional axles? Here in Michigan you can legally gross all the way up to 164,000 pounds if you're plated for the weight and have the extra axles.

Replied on Tue, Jan 21, 2025 at 02:26 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. 97,000 is with 7 axles I believe

Replied on Tue, Jan 21, 2025 at 02:26 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Check out called MAP 21, use a divisible load, overload permitting co and they will lay all the routs out. I dunno how guys make $ on 25 tons. I'm usually hauling 32-35 ton depending on state etc. That said the 7-8 axle market is a niche and if your willing to do it it's definitely worth it. If u got your own customers or freight it's a great for both, example a feed lot can get the same amount of feed and only deal with 70% of the trucks. It's a good biz model if your inthe right spot. If your not, your just hauling 80K and there's nothing wrong with that, it's way simpler!!!!

Replied on Tue, Jan 21, 2025 at 02:26 PM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Check out called MAP 21, use a divisible load, overload permitting co and they will lay all the routs out. I dunno how guys make $ on 25 tons. I'm usually hauling 32-35 ton depending on state etc. That said the 7-8 axle market is a niche and if your willing to do it it's definitely worth it. If u got your own customers or freight it's a great for both, example a feed lot can get the same amount of feed and only deal with 70% of the trucks. It's a good biz model if your inthe right spot. If your not, your just hauling 80K and there's nothing wrong with that, it's way simpler!!!!

Replied on Tue, Jan 21, 2025 at 07:52 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "Check out called MAP 21, use a divisible load, overload permitting co and they will lay all the routs out. I dunno how guys make $ on 25 tons. I'm usually hauling 32-35 ton depending on state etc. That said the 7-8 axle market is a niche and if your willing to do it it's definitely worth it. If u got your own customers or freight it's a great for both, example a feed lot can get the same amount of feed and only deal with 70% of the trucks. It's a good biz model if your inthe right spot. If your not, your just hauling 80K and there's nothing wrong with that, it's way simpler!!!!" Will definitely be looking into this in the future. Just getting my feet wet and trying to figure out where to start.

Replied on Tue, Jan 21, 2025 at 07:52 PM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "Check out called MAP 21, use a divisible load, overload permitting co and they will lay all the routs out. I dunno how guys make $ on 25 tons. I'm usually hauling 32-35 ton depending on state etc. That said the 7-8 axle market is a niche and if your willing to do it it's definitely worth it. If u got your own customers or freight it's a great for both, example a feed lot can get the same amount of feed and only deal with 70% of the trucks. It's a good biz model if your inthe right spot. If your not, your just hauling 80K and there's nothing wrong with that, it's way simpler!!!!"

Will definitely be looking into this in the future. Just getting my feet wet and trying to figure out where to start.

2 axle vs 3 axle hopper bottom

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