best stepdeck

You gathered that from the guy who doesn't know if mac makes steel trailers or not?

Aluminum is fine. Get what you want. There is no. Secret recipe for success

 

The slickest set up I have seen is what a guy from Brandon SD does. On a 53 foot stepdeck, he gets two king pins. One at 30 inches in, which folds up and out of the way, and another further back closer to the step. Then he moves the 5th wheel directly over the rear drive axle, has no problem getting 12 on the steering, and sets the spread trailer axles so he makes the kingpin to axle rule length in California and doesn't have to slide axles or anything else for California. Now you would need sliding the axles together for Canada, but He doesn't run Canada. The trailers are made in Reading PA. Another way to skin a cat with simplicity.

 

You are asking a question that is impossible to answer. What works for one person very well may be hated by another. There is no one size fits all. It looks like you have no experience with step decks. If you want run Ca. and Can. You are going to have to decide what configuration works for what you have in mind. Considering your lack of experience I would get a good quality combo. All aluminum is pricey and can be damaged more easily than an combo. I would buy a in stock trailer and after you get some experience and see what other guys are doing, plus what you like or dislike then order a trailer.

 

IMO If I was ordering a trailer today for what I want to do with it.

I would order a combo. (Brand doesn't really matter) on 17.5 rubber. I want a 8' top deck and a 45' bottom deck. I want either chain pull outs or j track down the outside edges and along the inside of the frame rails. Maybe a lift on the front. No need to reinvent the wheel

 

I have a 2012 Fontaine Infinity 53' Step. 43' lower with 10' upper. 22.5 wheels. 255/70 tires, rear axle slides.
Trailer is equipped with chain pull outs and Universal ramp kit. Lower deck height is 3'2.

I'm no expert here. The only other Step I pulled was a MAC 53' tri axle with 17.5 wheels that was part of a truck rescue.

The Fontaine is an ok trailer. Its not with out its own issues. The trailer carries weight pretty good. The biggest issue I have is that on uneven/off road surfaces the trailer likes to flex/twist more then I think it should. When it does, I see broken bolts that hold the aluminum plates to the frame. Then whats left has to be removed before a new one can be replaced. Thats the only issue I really have. No cracks in the frame, wiring or other issues. Been a pretty good trailer for the most part. Recently had a hub seal replaced due to a minor leak.

I haul everything on this trailer. Steal Coils, plates, pipe, machinery, heavy equipment, vehicles,.. anything that pays. Very versatile trailer.

I dont have enough experience with other steps to say this is the best,.. or even that others are better. I cant even speculate. I feel strongly that unless you need to haul taller loads,.. that trailers with 17.5 tire arent worth the hassle IMO.

Hurst

 

I run 22.5's thought about 17.5's but I seldom need to be that low. Plus when you are 4" lower that is 4" of ground clearance you have to pay attention to. I really would not spend the extra money for an aluminum trailer until you get your feet wet. As far as sand blasting and painting, I just trade my trailer in. Get a new one and depreciate it out. Buy a combo keep it 3-5 years. By then you are going to have a pretty good idea of what you want. Spec out and order a new trailer. While you are waiting for your new trailer to be built, put a for sale sign on the old trailer. If you can sell it, if not trade it in. I have owned numerous trailer brands. There are many good brands out there. I currently own a Wilson(my first) and am very happy with the trailer. About the only thing that is steel is the frame. It is a 53' slider with 6 boxes and with my Ftlr. classic I weight under 32K with 1/2 tank of fuel. I recently hauled a 53K machine with a 5' base from LA. to Pa. The trailer handled it very well.