A Lighter Trailer Like Trident Makes You More Money!
- adam22370
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 11
When you’re hauling sand, coal, gravel, or limestone, every pound counts—literally. The less your truck and trailer weigh, the more material you can deliver per load, and since you’re often paid by the ton, that directly translates to more cash in your pocket. My Trident Trailer is designed with this in mind, tipping the scales at a lean 8,450 lbs. That weight savings could mean $25,000 more in your yearly revenue. Here’s why going lightweight with Trident is a game-changer for your bottom line.
Empty Weight: The Secret to Bigger Paychecks
In the hauling business, your empty weight (or tare weight) is the foundation of your income. Most states cap your gross vehicle weight at 80,000 lbs. Subtract your truck and trailer’s empty weight, and what’s left is your payload—the sand you get paid to deliver. A lighter rig lets you haul more per trip. For example:
Setup: Tractor + Trident Trailer = 27,000 lbs empty. Payload = 53,000 lbs (26.5 tons)
A heavier rig: Tractor + trailer = 30,000 lbs empty. Payload = 50,000 lbs (25 tons)
That 3,000-lb difference might not sound like much, but over a year, it adds up! The driver delivering the most tons wins—and a lighter trailer like the Trident ensures you’re that driver.
The Perfect Sand-Hauling Combo
For maximum profitability, pair a lightweight tractor with our Trident Trailer. Take a Freightliner day cab with a Detroit Series 60 engine, weighing about 17,500 lbs. Add our 30-foot tandem-axle Trident Trailer—featuring 8 aluminum wheels, a floor-only liner, and an electric flip tarp—at just 8,450 lbs. Together, you’re at 25,950 lbs empty. One of our customers with a similar setup (see weight ticket below) clocks in at 26,920 lbs, proving it’s possible to stay under 27,000 lbs.
Heavy Rigs = Lost Money
Drivers who grumble about slim margins often run heavier setups. Picture a 2006 Freightliner Columbia 120 Sleeper with a Detroit Series 60 14.0L engine, tandem axles, and dual 120-gallon tanks—weighing 19,500 to 21,000 lbs empty. Now hitch it to a 39-foot East end-dump trailer with a tarp and liner (12,500–13,500 lbs). That combo totals 32,000 to 34,500 lbs empty—a whopping 5,000–7,500 lbs more than a lightweight system like ours. Let’s break down how this hits their wallet.
Real-World Numbers: Driver A vs. Driver B
Driver A (Lightweight Trident Setup):
Empty Weight: 26,920 lbs
Payload: 53,080 lbs (26.54 tons) per trip
Trips/Day: 4
Pay: $10/ton
Driver B (Heavy Setup):
Empty Weight: 32,000 lbs
Payload: 48,000 lbs (24 tons) per trip
Trips/Day: 4
Pay: $10/ton
Working 5 days a week for 260 days (1,040 trips/year):
Driver A: 1,040 trips = 55,203,220 lbs (27,601 tons). Revenue = $276,010
Driver B: 1,040 trips = 49,920,000 lbs (24,960 tons). Revenue = $249,600
Difference: Driver A hauls 2,641 more tons and earns $26,410 more per year—just by running a lighter rig. Bump the rate to $20/ton, and that gap doubles to over $52,000 more per year!
Why Trident Wins
The Trident Trailer isn’t just about shedding pounds—it’s about stacking dollars. Our 30 foot tandem trailer at 8,450 lbs, it’s engineered to give you the edge in payload without sacrificing durability. Heavy rigs might look tough, but they’re quietly eating into your profits. If you’re tired of leaving money on the table, switch to a Trident and watch your revenue climb. Ready to haul smarter? Contact us today and see the difference a lighter trailer makes! This is a weight ticket and picture of a perfect setup to haul sand, coal and rock!
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