western trailers' rub rails

Fixed winches wouldn't work with what I normally haul. Heck the stake pockets often times get in the way of where I want to put my straps.

I can see how they would drive you nuts.

 

I pulled nothing but Western's for 8 years and loved them. That being said, we hauled lumber and that basically what they're built for. In my opinion they're not meant to be a "do all" flatbed. Western's are born and bred in the NW where lumber is, well used to be, king.

The main thing for us was we pulled 96" wide trailers and not having a traditional rub rail kept the moisture from hitting the bottom side of the load. And I also liked having the fixed winches, but there again we hauled lumber. And the palletized stuff we did haul worked out with our winches.

It all comes down to preference and what you're doing. If I knew I would be hauling wood 90% of the time I'd go Western but I don't think they're versatile enough for what most flatbedders do.