Of course the drive axles would be ok, the axle limit in France is 13tonne
You would be in bother if you stuck a set of air horns on a leased motor without permission
I think someone else has missed the point, this isn’t a Fridge we are talking about but a walking floor trailer, so payload does matter!
The payload that is the point, these 200kg away from a 25ton payload can make the whole difference of be able to load or not.
Many a company send you away in the bulk if you cannot load the agreed amount.
Remember a competitor/college from Geel (Belgium) who took a couple of years ago the top bunk and the passenger seat out of some of his truck to be able to load 25.400kgs, and drivers where instructed to take not to much gear with them.
Who was the French haulier who use to build their own units and trailers? They used balsa and aluminium for the cab. Was big in tanker transport only to save a few kilo in the tarra of the vehicle
We run UK walking floors and the payload is about 27.5 tons.
The contract states that we must have a minimum of a 23 ton payload. We are running woodchip down and got a return load of marble chippings
MysonVinnie:
We run UK walking floors and the payload is about 27.5 tons.
The contract states that we must have a minimum of a 23 ton payload. We are running woodchip down and got a return load of marble chippings
Well if that’s at 44 ton at 40 ton you have 23.5 payload 
So stick with what you know.
Not worth messing with a 4 legger and playing the fuel game if you’re shipping Santander as you’ll have a full tank of Spanish to get you tipped/loaded and back to the ferry. Also depending on distance between tip and load you could sneak in a UK load perhaps.
As far as the rest goes you will need something with guts and a decent engine brake/retarder and aircon(ideally supplemented with a roof top one). You’ll be on the ferry 2 nights a week so space is not as much of an issue, therefore you could go with a slightly smaller cab and get a bit more payload.
The more “standard” you spec the better deals you’ll get so you’ll be able to get a better spec of trim for example.
My personal preference would be a Volvo. Ticks all the above boxes. I trundle all over Europe in one and it suits me just fine. 
Good luck doing a round trip to Aspe in a week, even using Santander.
Ben9:
Good luck doing a round trip to Aspe in a week, even using Santander.
My thoughts too Ben. It would be better perhaps to put 2 motors rotating on the job and have them do UK in the 2nd week after tipping the marble then load at the end of week 2 for Spain 
caledoniandream:
The payload that is the point, these 200kg away from a 25ton payload can make the whole difference of be able to load or not.
Many a company send you away in the bulk if you cannot load the agreed amount.
Remember a competitor/college from Geel (Belgium) who took a couple of years ago the top bunk and the passenger seat out of some of his truck to be able to load 25.400kgs, and drivers where instructed to take not to much gear with them.
Who was the French haulier who use to build their own units and trailers? They used balsa and aluminium for the cab. Was big in tanker transport only to save a few kilo in the tarra of the vehicle
Transports Loheac
transports-loheac.com/accueil_020.htm
Wheel Nut:
Transports Loheactransports-loheac.com/accueil_020.htm
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Used to see them around Rouen a lot in the 80’s.
Ross.
use to see alot of French trucks with that E sticker on the side… whats it for ? anyone know? Im sure its not España either …
good luck with this job mate
mercs are givving trucks away on contract hire / rental £300 a wk last i heard for a 46 mega space, although there not my choice its a cheap fairly bullet proof motor,
do your homework on this job as spain is a hard place to run nowadays to make profit, we do 1 / 2 trips a month and get good rates with flats and low loaders both ways and i still wonder if there worth doing at times,
lots of cost and risk and very little return
as i say good luck with it and all the best
mike
ps 6 wheeler all day long
MIKE P:
although there not my choice its a cheap fairly bullet proof motor,
Apart from the fact they like to eat clutches.
Ken.
Quinny:
MIKE P:
although there not my choice its a cheap fairly bullet proof motor,Apart from the fact they like to eat clutches.
Ken.
we’ve got 5 mercs all at 4 years old and not a clutch problem in sight (says with crossed fingers and touching wood)
I have been running walking floors in Europe for several years. The good thing is that it’s a fairly versatile trailer - you can run bulk and palletised goods. My big beef with running in Spain has been service support. We have a modern fleet, around 50% of units are under warranty. I have Magnums, Volvos, Scanias and MANs. As you would expect, Renault has fantastic support in France, but I’ve had problems getting in Spain, and have even towed a unit over the border to get it looked at by a delaer. My recommendation - lease a 4x2 480hp MAN with the XXL cab. It beats the others hand down on fuel and has a great cab. Wasting your money on extra rubber with a 6x2.