buying flatbed trailer new vs used pros and cons

I still have the 48...at least on the open deck side.

 

So any 48' x 102" flatbed would be ok to start with as long as it doesn't have welds or cracks? For an o/o with your own authority, how important is the appearance of a flatbed trailer?

 

You will get along just fine with a 48x102. I would not buy anything that has been welded or has cracks, make sure that whatever you buy still has an arch in it also. Some brands have more arch than others, but if you find one that has no arch I would stay away from it. For what used trailers are selling for right now you might be better off to buy new.

 

The used trailer market is very tight right now. Not much to look at and very overpriced. Here in the NE where lots of road salt gets used, the all steel and the combos can get pretty ugly rust wise in 5 or 6 years. I have found 1 48 x 102 from the late 80s that is in great shape and priced fairly, but in between that and new I really haven't come across much. Oscar has a pretty good point that new might be a very good option right now. A dealer in central NY who has some 99 and 200 aluminums told me yesterday he has been getting calls from as far away as Cal. inquiring about flats.

 

I would love to buy a new one, but as I am just getting started and I have to buy a truck first, there's not going to be much of a budget left for the trailer.

 

We went thru the trailer search last year. Looked for 48' step w/40' lower for container purposes. Found one and purchased all steel Doonan. We were hauling fairly light freight (40' containers around 25k for railroad construction), empties back. Now with a different company, still hauling some railroad construction freight, but returning with general freight and finding the all steel is too heavy. I prefer the 48' over 53' for two reasons: you are not allowed any overhang on rear of 53' and California's bridge law.

 

oh yeah.......third reason......53's look goofy with the overhang, with the axle slid up

 

if your worried about overhang on the rear then get a 53' SD that you can stretch out to 68" I think is what it is. Like they say, go big or go home, lol!!!!

 

48'x102" is my choice, especially when purchasing with hauling oilfield pipe is concerned.

Never had drill pipe, tubing or even casing (if you want to haul that cheap casing), that was over 45' long. Drill pipe & tubing is going to be 31' & casing is generally 45' max.

Also, when hauling connexes/containers, on a 96" trailer that box will be flush with the outside of the rub rails, makes chaining & even using your straps more of a pain. Whereas the 102", the box will sit inside the rub rails.

When looking at used spread axle equipment, look around where the axles mount real good for damage &/or repairs. That's where most of the damage is going to be from my experience.

 

a SD thats 53'long is 102 wide dude and the lower deck is 42' long, the upper is 11'. What I was saying is that you can get the same trailer that stretches out to longer if you need long, I just think you would have to run with permits when stretched out. Don't quote me on that please, just trying to use my big head that has some common sense , lol