Flatbed without slidable ratchet mechanism. Should we buy it?

They also sell portable winches for 4" straps at most truckstops.

 

Why add the weight of a track? They make those ratchets with a u clamp that fits on the bump rail, under the side of the floor and to the frame. They can be put where you need them with the rest in the box out of the weather.
Another benefit on not having the track is when they get bent and you can't slide past the damage. A buddy of mine bought a trailer with the track and removed it and saved over 1 hundred pounds. Not much but in this business 100 pounds can be a fine of $1000 in some states!

 

IMO the bolt on portable winches should not be sold or bought!! They can be down right dangerous. I just had alum. winch track put on a 48ft alum. trailer. The total bill was under $900. That was by the guys at Ravens in Dover Oh.

 

To me the time and effort wasted by not having a winch track is worth more than the rare occasion I'll need that last 100#.

x2, I've welded several on both steel and aluminum trailers. No way I'm messing with portable winches or dumping tons of cash on ratchet straps.

 

You buy trailer?