City Brand flatbed?

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by oneperfectrun, Jan 23, 2015.

  1. thejudges69

    thejudges69 Light Load Member

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    I was just looking at my dad's, it has a 1-5/8" bottom flange and a 3/4" top flange, both 5.5" wide. The just don't build trailers like that anymore. I wouldn't be afraid of one today, but that's only cause I know what they're capable of.
     
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  3. jamespmack

    jamespmack Road Train Member

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    In my lifetime dad had 2 3x9's and 1 set of 5x9s built by City new, 1 set used. And owned a handful of spreads. Joe knew how to build them for steel haulers. But Joe learned how to plumb them from my Dad. I have enough parts still in the shop to plumb a few. He started late 60's early 70's with Trailco's air,spring,air cheater spreads. When Trailco was new and building trailers with bridge IBeams.

    I'm still pulling a 95 42' Fruehauf steel alum combo with 3/4 top and bottom flanges and 110 gvw. But its time to replace it. Can't hold onto the past just for sentimental value.
     
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  4. jamespmack

    jamespmack Road Train Member

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    F7868FC0-88C4-41D8-AE0B-5527B9061A54.jpeg E7CD95CB-79A0-4049-BA19-FDD7DF89E931.jpeg 71FB5DB7-CF9B-4648-9552-8ABF846ADB2E.jpeg
    Those A-Trains are still running around Detroit. This pic was at City 1987 picking them up new.
     
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  5. thejudges69

    thejudges69 Light Load Member

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    My dad's are sitting in his field, picked it up new at city also. I was just by the factory, it's all closed up, but I think there is a couple sets of rails in the back yard. I think the absolute last city's built were late 90's early 00's. Joe and Al built a handful of trailers. No idea where they went. I did meet one guy a few years back that had one he parked and went to pull a different flatbed. We almost bought a guys 94 in pennsylvania years ago, Steve Bratton??? I think that was his name. That trailer hauled a pipe of weight in its life. I think it took an extra button and like 4 air lines to control that trailer. It was an interesting plumbing scenario. The trailer I was gonna go look at it a 48x96. I thought it was a 94, it's an 89. But those trailers still have their place today and I think could still haul the weight with these new trailers.
     
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  6. 78eaglecoe

    78eaglecoe Bobtail Member

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    Why did City go out. My Dad has a City dump from the early seventies and I just bought an 81 City 42' flat. Both trailers seem to be very well made. If anyone knows more history of City Weld, please comment.
     
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  7. jamespmack

    jamespmack Road Train Member

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    Dad talked to Joe or his son in mid to late 2000's. They discussed building one. They were just busy with repair work. Just didn't want to build any. There was a big law suit in the 80's or 90's. Door broke off a dump trailer and killed someone. If I recall it was not their fault. But a big deal. Thats when the dump side was named Cobra. Employees stole designs and started other companies.

    Maybe others know more. Its all I can remember.
     
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  8. thejudges69

    thejudges69 Light Load Member

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    Cause joe was bad with money and his son wanted nothing to do with the business even though he acted like he was very interested.
     
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  9. 78eaglecoe

    78eaglecoe Bobtail Member

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    Thanks for the info. I had heard about the deadly tailgate lawsuit also. I also heard the guy who started East used to work at City. Do you guys know if that is true? I would also like to know when City started to build trailers. Did Joe start the company?
     
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  10. thejudges69

    thejudges69 Light Load Member

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    I think I'll get this wrong, but city was the start, guys from Benson, east, cobra and a couple others got their start at city. But city is still the best. I know of an 89 for sale. I almost bought it to haul steel with.
     
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  11. jamespmack

    jamespmack Road Train Member

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    Employees went from City to East, East to Mac, Mac to Extreme. Not aware of Benson, and Cobra was owned by City.

    They all copied and stole ideas.
     
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