Bought my first aluminum flatbed back in 1986, that's all I've owned since. My plan this year was to get rid of this Big Bubba and get a Mac. But lately I've been thinking how nice it would be to have a "flat" deck. I don't haul heavy anymore. I just like the looks and resale value of aluminum.
So thinking of going combo, or even all steel. It would get my deck height down a little and get rid of the arch. Just running thoughts thru my head. What are your thoughts on this?
Tired of fighting the arch
Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by mtoo, Jan 27, 2015.
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My mac is rated for 60k and there's not much of an arch. It's not like some of those heavier rated trailers that's for sure.
mtoo Thanks this. -
Just a thought here. Take the average weight of the loads you're carrying, then determine what your empty weights would be with a steel or combo trailer and see which would let you carry what you wanted and not go over 80,000.
I hope this helps a little. -
Order a trailer and tell whatever brand you want how much chamber you want in the trailer. I'm sure Mac or Reitnour will build what you want. Same deal with a combo. I have a Wilson combo SD plenty happy with it. I have not owned an all steel trailer in over 35 years. Steel crossmembers and outer rail are a major pain.
cnsper Thanks this. -
I bought a new Wilson all aluminum Premier with 17.5" rims last month. Took it back and ordered a combo to get rid of that arch. What's the point in owning a low deck step with a 39" deck height? Put 24 ton on it and it only dropped an inch. Useless IMO.
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Only flat beds I pulled were steel and loaded with sack cement, although I did work for a sheet rock company many years ago loading sheet rock on flat beds and at that time you did not see the big arches.
In the last several years they've been running up and down the highways quite a bit, saw one the other day empty going toward Little Rock on I-30 between Texarkana and Fulton and boy did it have a big arch. I suppose the arch on an aluminum trailer is to give it more strength.
I was just wondering what is the disadvantage in the big arch. -
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OldHasBeen Thanks this.
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