Replacing crossmembers on a Flat deck

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by abtrucker, Nov 12, 2013.

  1. abtrucker

    abtrucker Light Load Member

    131
    30
    Oct 23, 2011
    Alberta
    0
    I have a Transcraft aluminum combo trailer with a lot of soft\rotting crossmembers. What all is involved in removing the crossmembers? Do the sides need to be removed to get them out? Does anybody have an idea as to the cost involved in doing this?
    The rest of the trailer is in great shape. Does anybody have an idea as to the cost involved in doing this?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. saddleup

    saddleup Light Load Member

    281
    137
    Sep 30, 2011
    magnolia, ky
    0
    you should only have to remove 1 side and slide the new 1's in.
     
    abtrucker Thanks this.
  4. abtrucker

    abtrucker Light Load Member

    131
    30
    Oct 23, 2011
    Alberta
    0
    So removing the 2 bolts at the end of each cross member would allow that one side to be removed? Then remove the floor screws and slide it out?
     
  5. jbatmick

    jbatmick Road Train Member

    2,184
    2,441
    Dec 1, 2009
    hastings, Fl
    0
    On some flats I have seen a new cross member put right beside the old one, drill new holes in side rails, screw to floor, leave the old one in, and get back trucking. May not work in your case.
     
    abtrucker Thanks this.
  6. abtrucker

    abtrucker Light Load Member

    131
    30
    Oct 23, 2011
    Alberta
    0
    These run through the main rails so that would not work on this trailer.
     
  7. jbatmick

    jbatmick Road Train Member

    2,184
    2,441
    Dec 1, 2009
    hastings, Fl
    0
    I was afraid of that.
     
  8. special-k

    special-k Road Train Member

    1,512
    3,227
    Dec 27, 2008
    Southern Ontario Canada
    0
    A lot of shops will quote high because they don't really want to do the job. I had a steel and wood 6 axle with floor x -members every 12" and every 6 between the rails. I was quoted 14 to 16 grand. Yours should be half of that. Anyone I know that's done it themselves has sworn they'd never do it again.
     
    abtrucker Thanks this.
  9. fortycalglock

    fortycalglock Road Train Member

    6,116
    6,501
    Jun 25, 2011
    Tourist Town, FL
    0
    I assume you're talking about floor not frame crossmembers. I think you're going to find the cost outweighs the value of the trailer unless you do everything yourself and your time is not valuable to yourself. I forget what the quote was to replace the frame crossmembers on my 98 Transcrap, but I ended up selling it for $4k as is. This was after I put a kingpin and plate, along with some replacement steel above it a year previous for $1500+, and that was a smoking deal. It was a slow time for the shop around Christmas, and they originally told me $2500, but they needed some work more than the extra grand. I've never been happier getting rid of trailers than when I got rid of both 98 Transcraps.
     
    abtrucker Thanks this.
  10. abtrucker

    abtrucker Light Load Member

    131
    30
    Oct 23, 2011
    Alberta
    0
    The cross members on this trailer run through the frame rails, the floor is screwed to them. Not sure what you mean by frame crossmembers.
    i got a price of $38 a piece for the crossmembers. There are 51 of them on the trailer. I will be doing the work myself.
     
  11. fortycalglock

    fortycalglock Road Train Member

    6,116
    6,501
    Jun 25, 2011
    Tourist Town, FL
    0
    The frame has crossmembers between the two rails that like to rust as well. How much more are the aluminum floor crossmembers? That was the only good thing I'll say about those two trailers of mine, they had the aluminum ones. That's one heck of a job. Count on welding some steel into the neck once you get the floor off. You must really like this trailer!
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.