WAYS TO LIGHTEN YOUR TRUCK AND TRAILER TO INCREASE YOUR PAYLOAD

Aug 09, 2011 at 11:44 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. It's ever more important to find ways to increase your bottom line. Since this is an industry primarily paid by the weight hauled, it's crucial to make sure your empty weight is as light as possible. I did some simple math and if you could figure out a way to decrease your weight even by 1000 lbs or 1/2 ton you could make an extra $14 per day. I did this by figuring hauling 25 tons to 25 1/2 tons and averaging $700 per day. I know we can all argue these numbers, but let me get to my point. $14 per day is $70 in increaed revenue per week and $3500 per year. Now there may be ways that are more expensive and won't offset the incremental revenue, it all depends on how far you spread out the costs over income. But maybe there are some simple ways to increase or strategies others have done that can help us out as a group. Try not to think of yourselves competing, but working together as a family to help others. What are some ways you've decreased your weights on your truck or trailer to haul more? Maybe it's as simple as keeping your fuel tanks half full. What are some others?

Aug 09, 2011 at 11:44 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

It's ever more important to find ways to increase your bottom line. Since this is an industry primarily paid by the weight hauled, it's crucial to make sure your empty weight is as light as possible. I did some simple math and if you could figure out a way to decrease your weight even by 1000 lbs or 1/2 ton you could make an extra $14 per day. I did this by figuring hauling 25 tons to 25 1/2 tons and averaging $700 per day. I know we can all argue these numbers, but let me get to my point. $14 per day is $70 in increaed revenue per week and $3500 per year.

Now there may be ways that are more expensive and won't offset the incremental revenue, it all depends on how far you spread out the costs over income. But maybe there are some simple ways to increase or strategies others have done that can help us out as a group. Try not to think of yourselves competing, but working together as a family to help others.

What are some ways you've decreased your weights on your truck or trailer to haul more? Maybe it's as simple as keeping your fuel tanks half full. What are some others?

Replied on Tue, Aug 09, 2011 at 01:08 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Wide base tires, single 120 gallon fuel tank, grass burner exhaust, aluminum wheels, aluminum subframe. 2012 Freightliner Cascadia 72 inch midroof XT, with DD13 , pulling 2012 Timpte 42x78x96 empty weight, including driver and full of fuel and def, 26,000 lbs, not sure what I can do to get much lighter. But I am open to suggestions.

Replied on Tue, Aug 09, 2011 at 01:08 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Wide base tires, single 120 gallon fuel tank, grass burner exhaust, aluminum wheels, aluminum subframe. 2012 Freightliner Cascadia 72 inch midroof XT, with DD13 , pulling 2012 Timpte 42x78x96 empty weight, including driver and full of fuel and def, 26,000 lbs, not sure what I can do to get much lighter. But I am open to suggestions.

Replied on Tue, Aug 09, 2011 at 04:55 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I don't know about the wide track tires..But Super singles..like 385x65x22.5 ..They look a lot tougher than the wide tracks( just my thoughts on that) and one azle will save you about 250..Tandems will be about 500 lbs less weight...You alsoget rolling resistance..also the aluminum is normally cheaper than steel rims...They are rated for about 9,500 lbs..The 435x65x22.5 are rated about 10,400 per tire...Another thing to lessen the weight of a truck is clean all of your stuff out and only put back what is really needed....It is unbelievable how much one can put into a truck. even a day cab ..You really don't need your winter clothes on insulated boots or snow chains..If you need a tow chain..look at getting a nylon strap...Make sure that it has a rating on it that is what you need..Not a cheap truck stop or Walmart one for cars...You can get one at a crane and rigging outlet..Google it...They are just as strong and are a lot lighter

Replied on Tue, Aug 09, 2011 at 04:55 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I don't know about the wide track tires..But Super singles..like 385x65x22.5 ..They look a lot tougher than the wide tracks( just my thoughts on that) and one azle will save you about 250..Tandems will be about 500 lbs less weight...You alsoget rolling resistance..also the aluminum is normally cheaper than steel rims...They are rated for about 9,500 lbs..The 435x65x22.5 are rated about 10,400 per tire...Another thing to lessen the weight of a truck is clean all of your stuff out and only put back what is really needed....It is unbelievable how much one can put into a truck. even a day cab ..You really don't need your winter clothes on insulated boots or snow chains..If you need a tow chain..look at getting a nylon strap...Make sure that it has a rating on it that is what you need..Not a cheap truck stop or Walmart one for cars...You can get one at a crane and rigging outlet..Google it...They are just as strong and are a lot lighter

Replied on Wed, Aug 10, 2011 at 12:45 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I understand wanting to make trucks lighter – and I have been impressed with the comments. However, I am not sure how to deal with the problem it does create. As I have dealt with shippers, there is one problem I have noticed. The carriers find ways to make the truck lighter (usually at an additional expense) then the shipper ends up taking advantage of it – often without additional money to the load. I guess this may increase the chances for loads, but logic would say there should be more money for the people hauling it. One suggestion I have is not getting lower capacity fuel tanks – in fact you may want to increase the capacity. This way if you run across cheaper fuel that is worth it you can get it. But, more importantly, when you load on a scale or to capacity the extra weight can be fuel that eventually goes away, in-turn lowering weight. You can still run at lower fuel levels this way without a whole lot more weight.

Replied on Wed, Aug 10, 2011 at 12:45 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I understand wanting to make trucks lighter – and I have been impressed with the comments. However, I am not sure how to deal with the problem it does create. As I have dealt with shippers, there is one problem I have noticed. The carriers find ways to make the truck lighter (usually at an additional expense) then the shipper ends up taking advantage of it – often without additional money to the load. I guess this may increase the chances for loads, but logic would say there should be more money for the people hauling it. One suggestion I have is not getting lower capacity fuel tanks – in fact you may want to increase the capacity. This way if you run across cheaper fuel that is worth it you can get it. But, more importantly, when you load on a scale or to capacity the extra weight can be fuel that eventually goes away, in-turn lowering weight. You can still run at lower fuel levels this way without a whole lot more weight.