opinions on what is the best flatbed trailer out there?

I cannot tell you how many times I have gotten a load and the shipper says must be able to haul 48K lbs. Almost every steel place I have been to makes sure of that.

 

If you are in the snowbelt aluminum all the way. You can't keep up with the paint and the floor cross members rot out right around 10 years old. To repair them right it's thousands of dollars. I can buy a new aluminum East 6 axle for around $80,000 and a new steel Titan for $70,000. Not much of a choice. The only steel one I'd consider would be a full combo with alum floor cross members and steel frame cross members and you'll still have the issues with the floor coming loose down the road. G-man I have seen a few old combo trailers with wooden floors.

 

Most lumber mills want 48K and would really prefer 50K. If you can take 50+ you can haul when other guys sit.

 

I rarely haul anything over 45,000 pounds. Most of what I haul is considerably lighter. It is rare that I lose a load due to me not being able to handle the weight.

 

Most lumber loads are cheap. I will only occasionally haul a load when I can't get anything else and the rate is right. I can usually find something that pays more and isn't as heavy. They often don't want to pay a decent rate and still expect it to be tarped.