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[Read: &#;3 Types of Flatbed Semi-Trailers&#;]
A lot depends on what you want to get out of your trailer. Choosing the right flatbed trailer for you is going to depend on what you&#;re hauling, where you&#;re hauling, and how long you&#;re holding onto the trailer.
If you&#;re looking for something flashy, maybe an aluminum trailer is the way to go. But, if you want something to go to work, maybe you&#;re looking at a combo trailer. If you need something heavy-duty, an all-steel trailer could be right for you.
Aluminum flatbed trailers are typically your lightest option, lighter than steel or combination trailers, consisting entirely of aluminum &#; beam, side rails, and floors.
These trailers cost more than a combo and steel trailers, but on the upside, they do have a higher resale value.
Because aluminum deflects more than steel, these flatbeds are built with an arch (camber) in the trailer, which allows the beam to level as weight is added.
Combo flatbed semi-trailers are comprised of a steel beam, aluminum floor, and aluminum side rails. They provide the weight-savings of aluminum with the strength of the steel beam.
Combo trailers are less expensive than aluminum trailers and slighter more expensive than steel.
Steel trailers are built entirely of steel, including the beam, side rail, and suspension hangers, making them heavier than aluminum or combo.
They are a lower upfront investment; however, you won&#;t get as much on the resale value. It&#;s built to last and will be a good work trailer.
Pros:
Cons:
[Read &#;Conestoga vs Curtainside Trailers&#;]
A curtainside trailer, or curtain van, is a dry van and a flatbed trailer combined into one trailer. It loads like a flatbed but protects like a van with a ceiling, front wall, and rear doors. The sides are open to allow access for loading, and the rear swing doors will enable it to be dock-loaded, similar to a dry van.
Curtains hang from the roof on each side of the trailer, slide open, and close to provide an enclosed trailer. On the Curtain side trailer, the frame does not move, and therefore top loading is not possible.
Curtain side trailers are an excellent option for loads that require more protection and special handling or when it&#;s more efficient to load from the side. It&#;s also a good option if you have multiple stops to make.
[Read &#;7 Ways to Maximize Your Payload on a Flatbed Semi&#;]
[Read &#;Beam Ratings on a Flatbed Semi-Trailer&#;]
Aluminum trailers are lighter and less rigid than steel and flex a lot more than steel, so they&#;re built with an arch (Camber) to allow for flexing as the trailer flattens out when loaded heavily.
This arch might not be ideal for transporting long flat materials. Use dunnage racks to help fill that gap between the trailer&#;s arch and the product.
Space aluminum cross members closer together than steel cross members to support the additional weight from deflection, especially in applications where you&#;re rearing-loading with a forklift.
* Photo of a combination trailer with steel beam
Combination and all steel trailers have less camber with the steel beam and, therefore, are flatter trailers.
Combination trailers typically include cross braces for additional support. The weight of the load is distributed through the cross braces and back to the steel beam itself.
Most flatbeds are not properly set up to back up to a dock with a forklift loading from the rear. Consider your cross member spacing and composition to help prevent those popping screws and waves in your floor.
Read [&#;5 Ways to Prevent Damage to Your Flatbed&#;]
If you are rear loading or have concentrated loads, we recommend decreasing your cross members to a maximum spacing of 12&#; because aluminum cross members have more deflection than steel.
Steel cross members are stronger, so you can get away with spacing your cross members at 16&#;; however, you might still want to consider 12&#; spacing.
It is important you need to understand how your trailer is spec&#;d and the load it&#;s equipped to handle.
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A trailer with 24&#; cross member spacing, and no side cross braces, should not be rear-loaded, and be mindful of the load toward the outside of the rail because the trailer is not set up to support the weight.
Available in steel, galvanized steel, low profile for use with toolboxes and drop decks, winches are a very common way to secure a load on a flatbed.
They can be mounted on the driver side, curbside, or both sides of the trailer. It all depends on your philosophy. For the driver, it&#;s easier to work with straps on the driver&#;s side; however, it&#;s safer to adjust your load from the curbside if you&#;re pulled off the side of the road.
You might consider load securement points on both sides for taller loads to help prevent the load from shifting. Utility has a proprietary side rail with the winch tracks built into it, allowing winches to be placed on both sides of the trailer.
Depending on the manufacturer, you may or may not be able to use a pocket to secure a load.
Spools working load limits (WLL) will vary depending on the manufacturer. Be sure to check with them to understand the pipe spools rating.
For example, wrapping a chain around one spool can have one rating, but the rating may change if you wrap it around two spools. The angle at which the chain comes off the spool will also determine the load limit rating on the spool.
Consult with the manufacturer for chain ratings. Also, check with the DOT for load securement regulations, tie-down requirements for heavy equipment, chain ratings, etc.
J-Hooks (Flatbed J Plates) are an adjustable load securement system used with flat hook straps or chains.
The J Hook plates slide into the tracks located on both sides of the deck, and can be placed anywhere along the track.
[Read: &#;Pop Up Chain Adapters, D Rings, and Container Locks.&#;]
Due to the lower rear deck height, step decks can be a great option for hauling equipment, tall loads, and other cargo.
Generally, any load under 10 ft. tall and 8 ft. wide can be loaded onto a step deck trailer. Small loaders, skid steers, small excavators, or bulldozers are examples of equipment you can potentially haul on a step deck.
We recommend going with a Removeable Gooseneck (RGN) or a Lowboy for larger or heavier equipment. A Lowboy can carry cargo up to 12 feet high and heavier loads.
Step decks are an excellent option for hauling midsized equipment and provide the versatility to haul other loads.
[Read more about: &#;Hauling Equipment on Step Decks and Flatbeds&#;]
Bulkheads are important to cargo control. They are affixed to the front end of a flatbed trailer to prevent forward movement of cargo and protect the driver carrying heavy loads.
There are two basic types of bulkheads for flatbed trailers, the wrap around and the flat.
Choosing the right bulkhead is important for both safety of the driver and the cargo. You want something durable enough to stand up to shifting cargo while not adding weight to your trailer.
Flat Bulkheads:
Wrap Around Bulkheads:
[Read more about: &#;Bulkheads and Accessories&#;]
Many configurations are available depending on your needs, including bolt-on kits, steerable lift axles, and front and rear configurations.
Mount toolboxes between the spread axle or anywhere along the flatbed on either side.
A dunnage rack provides storage on your semi-trailer flatbeds for the wood (or dunnage) while transporting unpalletized loads.
They&#;re mainly used on flatbed, drop-deck, and gooseneck trailers to free up space on your trailer bed to allow you to carry more cargo.
And, they come in many styles and configurations, including baskets styles with or without a floor, side mounts, cross trailer mounts, and can be designed to hold dunnage as needed.
[Read more about: &#;Lift Axles, Rear Axle Dumps, and Additional Accessories&#;]
It must be noted that side curtains are extremely useful when transporting palletized cargo, as it can be safely loaded using a forklift. This however does not rule out other types of cargo such as large bags (grain), bottles and equipment to name a few. Some tautliners are able to be loaded from the top, making these specific ones more convenient for the transportation of freight such as woodchips/ logs and loose items. The curtains offer a certain level of load restrain during the journey, however the goods to be transported must be secured properly using chains, strong rope or straps. The main purpose of tautliner curtains is to provide security and shield against ghastly weather. This type of transportation method greatly increases the list of cargo goods which can normally be moved by a flatbed truck. The simple addition of side curtains has a great impact on transportation companies. In the event of sudden rips and tears, it is easy for drivers to perform a temporary trailer curtain repair until they reach their final destination where they will be able to properly assess the damage.
As easy as it may seem to load and unload the contents of a curtain side truck, there is a methodical and safe way of handling the curtains. The points listed below are merely a guide to ensure both worker and customer safety.
1. Avoid opening the side of the curtain which has a bulge. A bulge is an indication that cargo might have moved during the journey. This can result in a potentially dangerous situation. It would therefore be a wise decision to open the opposing side curtain and judge any movement of goods.
2. Be mindful of the weather conditions upon delivery. Strong winds can make offloading a difficult process. Heavy winds can swing the curtain pole into people, causing head or bodily injury. If possible, open the side which is not exposed to the wind.
3. The straps located at the bottom prevent the curtain from flying during transit. It is important to double or triple check that all straps are properly secured before departing, as loose buckles can cause the curtains to flap which is distracting to other motorists.
4. Ensure that the curtains are in a well-kept state with no sign of deterioration. The tarp curtains must be able to hold the weight and force of any freight that might move and push up against the curtain for long periods of time. Deterioration can occur due to horrible weather or increased sun exposure (causing brittleness and weakness to specific spots).
5. Restrain the cargo within the container before closing the straps. The side curtains only provide protection from external forces. It is the responsibility of the transportation company to make certain that the cargo inside is properly restrained, with little to no room for movement.
The greatest benefit of opting for side curtain hire and transportation is the versatility which it offers. The advantages of an enclosed van and flatbed trailer are combined into one single vehicle. Freight such as glass, chemicals, automotive components and food which we wouldn&#;t usually load onto an open truck due to the high likelihood of looting, can now be transported within the safe space of the tautliner curtains. The resourceful design of such trucks allow for cargo to be loaded from either side of the trailer, the back end and in some cases cargo can be lowered into the truck from above via crane usage. In general, choosing trailer curtains is a huge advantage and strongly recommended to trucking companies. It is a solution that will reward you with great return on investment almost immediately. Contact Cargo Tarp & Net to find out more about this option. Our well experienced and professional staff will happily assist you on the best way forward.
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