Stay Away From a New Benson Trailer!

Bought a new 48' Benson flatbed last year around September. Got all the bells and whistles (lift axle, air disc brakes, tire inflation, galvanized hanger boxes and 5th wheel plate) and was expecting very low maintenance on this thing. Three weeks ago driver noticed an air leak and checked it out. Turns out that we had 2 structural cracks in the area near the front axle. Trailer wouldn't pass an inspection. It's been at the trailer dealer in Lexington, KY for 2 1/2 weeks now and they still haven't touched it. Left message for warranty guy and no response. Should have known when they merged with Transcraft they would go downhill. Back to Reitnouers I guess.

 

Not at all

 

They are saying it is covered under warranty. Not driver fault. They are saying the aluminum should have been thicker gauge around lift axle. At least that's what they told my driver. I'm not going to do something to a trailer and then blame the mfg. I'm just trying to help people make an educated purchase if looking for a new trailer. I'd want to know this before buying a new trailer. We may have hauled coils twice (multiple coils). Usually light loads spread out over the trailer. Every once in a while lumber.

 

I have owned 4 Reitnouers and here's my luck with them:
(2004 Limited Edition flatbed) Bought it new.. Wiring was an issue where the connectors met the back of the light. Goofy design with little pins. Replaced all wiring and lights with Reitnouer's newer wiring system and lights about 3 years ago. At the same time I took off the axles and landing gear and sandblasted/painted because they were looking rough. Also had to replace the fifth wheel plate due to rust last year. That's common on a Reitnouer over 8-10 years old. Sold last year.

(2012 53' Big Bubba Step/ Sliding rear axle, 17.5 tires) "S" Cam shafts kept breaking away from where they were welded to the axles. After repairing several times they figured out that both axles were faulty from factory and replaced the axles. Stainless steel piece riveted onto the bottom of the frame where the rear axle slides kept coming off. Got damaged beyond repair twice while sliding. Ended up drilling through the frame and putting a nut and bolt on each end and that kept it from moving while sliding. Shock mounts broke a couple times. Not the first trailer I've owned with 17.5 tires where this was an issue. Sold 2 years ago.

(2012 Bigger Bubba 53' Step, Triaxle, 17.5 tires, rear axle lift) Not a lot of problems really.
Have to remove rust and paint it every year around axles. They don't do a good job with paint. That's why I'm moving to galvanized hangers boxes and 5th wheel plates on equipment to try and gain a few more years. Doesn't like loads that are under 20' long and heavy (over 60klbs or more). If the load is long enough to at least go over the front axle, it looks OK. Still own it.

(2016 Big Bubba, 53' Step, sliding rear axle, 19.5 tires) Had 7 wheel seals go out the first year. Since then everything is OK. Still own.