O/O Flatbed, preparing. Quick question.

Hauled allot of steel and lumber and to be honest a 45' trailer is small for some loads, but does in some situations. Depending on if the trailer has a built on headache rack or not, if the tractor is equipped with one you can haul longer than 45' but that also depends on the 5th wheel placement also.

I hauled out of Huger S.C. and Darlington S.C. often and with a 48 steel and aluminum spread picked up many more loads than the 45' trailers.

A long load, 60' could be loaded on the 48' and legal length but unless you have one long wheel base tractor not a chance on getting it legal from what I have seen.

 

from what I have seen most shippers say it has to be 48 foot 102 wide I still pull a 96 inch wide trailerI have hauled many many loads out of the same place for years with my trailer recently they got a new shipping supervisor and he will not load me anymore because it is not 102.Does this make any sense it is the same product just a different educated man in charge.also a lot of of freight will only take up 38 to 40 foot of space but has to be a 48 footer to be loaded. But i think your 45 will workfine if you stick with steel or brick or shingles and stuff like that,If you put a single coil on sideways it will only take up about 4 feet of space. You may want to consider a 45 footer with a side kit and just haul steel.

 

On the Post your flatbed load pictures here thread, there are quite a few pics with loads that would have fit on a 45' flatbed. But then again, there are quite a few that wouldn't have fit.

I've hauled lots of military loads, oil field loads, lumber, plywood, and other wood type products on a 40' and 45' flatbed. However, if I was looking for a flatbed right now, I believe I'd be looking for a 48'x102", mostly because that is what most load boards are asking for, regardless of the length of their loads.

There are plenty of older, well maintained, inexpensive trailers out there. But, I do believe you could make a living with your 45'.

 

I've only hauled 1 load on my 48' that would not fit on a 45' trailer. That being said, I have been to MANY shippers that will NOT load a 45' trailer, even tho the load was 30' or less. And many brokers will not give a load to a 45' trailer either. Makes no sense to me, but that's what I've seen.

Up here in NW Indiana, 48's and 45's are about the same price. I've seen plenty of 48' trailers for under $7,000

 

that is what I use. I haul steel and lumber. you will to check shippers be for taking the load.

 

I have a 48' but gas gen is bolted up in the front corner. I always ask if it's going to take all 48'. I haven't had to move my gen since last year when we lost the rate on 56' loads.


Just ask. Don't mention it's a 45'. Plenty of guys with the bulkhead and equipment up front who can't give a full 48' anyway.

Probably need to pull out a tape measure to verify if it's 45' at a shipper anyway.

Don't go into debt for 3 more feet. Plenty of loads for it.

 

LOL, I've had several shippers ask me if my trailer was 53' long as they were loading it (30' long pipe) and I just laughed. If they can't tell the difference between a 53 and a 48, then there is no way they can tell the difference between a 48 and a 45

 

get a 48 , you are putting yourself behind the 8 ball getting a 45 these days.

i load many loads that will go on a 45 also, but i also load many that need all 48 , for overall business get the 48 and be done with it.

 

I am about to pull the trigger on a 48x96 all aluminum w/ side tool box,very good condition for very good price. Will I have the same problems as a guy with a 45 footer? I know about pallet loads being a bit of a hassle, but will I be restricted otherwise.?