flatbed trl. 102"vs 96"
Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by High Seas, Feb 2, 2010.
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You gotta laugh at the folks that think you can't haul 102 wide on a 96. I ran into a couple of them during my flatbed yrs. It was almost pathetic how wrong they were and how adamant they were that you were the brain dead one.
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I found a 102" 99 transcraft combo ( southern trailer) for what I think is a bargain,
8 Alum wheels, air ride spread, 2 48" side kits, 2 4' side boxes, 12 winches on a slide, 3 8' tarps, LED lights, spare tire rack, and 12 straps $5500
That's about $2000 more than what I was going to pay for the 96" wide combo spread with no accessories Thanks again. -
Transcraft is a good trailer except for the cracking around the spread.
Do yourself a favor and go look at a new transcraft. They will have extra bracing welded in that your trailer won't have. Take your trailer to a welding shop, or do it yourself if you have the equipment and get that bracing welded in as soon as you have time/money. You'll save yourself a lot of time.
I had a 98. Always welding etc on it. One day I happened to see a 07 at a shipper. Took a look at what they had on it. Had my neighbor weld that in for me, most of the problems were solved.
If you need to see a pic of it PM forum member Broncrider. I sold my trailer to him.
That was a good price especially when you got all those goodies. Depending on what you haul you may want to add 4 or 5 more winches. -
If all those winches are on the drivers side, I would think about adding 4-5 to the other side, especially look at the area in the spread, a few feet from that back, and maybe a few other places, really depends on how/ where the boxes are mounted.
Brickman Thanks this. -
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The rates aren't any different for a 45' 96" than they are for a 48' 102" trailer, so why pay more and have a heavier lightweight for no more money? Sorry to me it just made no sense!Native Dancer Thanks this. -
The rates maybe the same but you'll loose far more loads by not having a 48 than you will over not having a 102.
PA also has a lot of 102 restrictions.Native Dancer Thanks this. -
If you decide on the Banana craft. Watch that trailer carefully. It will crackup and rot away in a hurry. Before you buy it crawl under it and check the cross members carefully and the spread area. As the paint bubbles up on the Banana craft scrap the flakes away they will hold water and accelerate rot. If you are going to haul concentrated loads with that trailer (single coils) be careful. Always split multi coil loads. That trailer will have a lot of sway in corners. It could be a good Idea to invest in a welder.
If you watch the trailer and keep after the cracks, replace cross members as they rot, weld in braces you will get more years of service out of it.
I'm not saying don't buy it, I'm saying look after it. I have a 98 combo Banana craft in my trailer pool. Its gotten real weak backing into tight spots the whole trailer nose is wanting to roll. I have replaced all cross members also. The back axle also has developed another crack. I try to avoid coil loads with it. I used a 2008 Banana craft a year ago for a couple of months. That trailer made my 98 look good. That 08 would sway like crazy going down the road with a single coil.
If I was you I'd buy the cheap Banana Craft to get started and just watch it like a hawk. Buy a 48ft over a 45ft if you are going to run otr, you will lose more loads with a trailer under 48ft. -
Take a look at the pictures of this 98 Transcraft, (bannana craft??? That must be flatbedder humor)
I wonder how long this problem took to develop ??
1998 TRANSCRAFT EAGLE FLABED TRAILER LOW LOW PRICE!!
Also how do you go about replacing crossmembers on a flatbed trailer?
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