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Buying a flatbed trailer...

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by korex_UA, Jul 14, 2009.

Page 1 of 9
  1. Jul 14, 2009 #1
    korex_UA

    korex_UA Bobtail Member

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    Apr 7, 2007
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    Hello O/Os!
    Here's the story again. 10 month ago bought a 2000 Transcraft Eagle. Average condition, put new tires, brakes, shoks, chambers... And started driving.
    Everything was ok till it cracks :) Frame cracked by the middle axel. Spent 1200 for welding, and it still cracking and cracking. I heard a lot of horrible stories about Transcraft - even about creacking of new trailers.

    And now I need a piece of advice in buying a new (for me, but used) trailer or couple more horrible stories ))

    Somethig 2004-06 with budget of $16000.
    Great dane? Fontaine? Utility?
    What do you think about Manac 53'?
     
    korex_UA, Jul 14, 2009
    korex_UA, Jul 14, 2009
    #1
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  3. Jul 14, 2009 #2
    REDD

    REDD The Legend

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    Dueling Banjoville
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    If I had to buy a flatbed.... It would be a Reitnouer
     
    REDD, Jul 14, 2009
    REDD, Jul 14, 2009
    #2
    Roadhound Thanks this.
  4. Jul 14, 2009 #3
    Big John

    Big John Road Train Member

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    Trailer Marketing in Oklahoma City has some 2005 Rietnouer aluminum flats for sale for $16,300 last i checked. I know the dealer and where the trailers come from and they are in good condition. No boxes but they are spread axles with 8 aluminum wheels. These trailers should be bringing $22,000 to 24,000 but the market sucks and they have a few of them.
     
    Big John, Jul 14, 2009
    Big John, Jul 14, 2009
    #3
  5. Jul 14, 2009 #4
    korex_UA

    korex_UA Bobtail Member

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    Apr 7, 2007
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    found couple of them at truckpaper

    2005 Reitnouer Maxlite 48' X 102" air-ride, aluminum flats. 10' X 2" axle spread, automatic dump valve on both axles and electric dump on rear axle. 3 wood nailers, PSI tire inflation system, and 3 LED lights per side

    16000 a piece.
    Now , since them all aluminum, is it can be any problems as far as frame cracks? Really scary of that ;-) Had anyone saw cracked aluminum frame? almost impossible to weld?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 14, 2009
    korex_UA, Jul 14, 2009
    korex_UA, Jul 14, 2009
    #4
  7. Jul 14, 2009 #5
    wtm

    wtm Light Load Member

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    May 11, 2009
    south
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    I have a benson has been a great trailer for me strong as hell and light. Every transcraft I have seen has been cracked or welded up and most of them were pretty new.
     
    wtm, Jul 14, 2009
    wtm, Jul 14, 2009
    #5
  8. Jul 14, 2009 #6
    Big John

    Big John Road Train Member

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    Did Benson sell out? I seen a brand new Benson flat advertised in the truck paper and it had a Benson logo on the back of the trailer but had Transcraft mudflaps on. Look weird.
     
    Big John, Jul 14, 2009
    Big John, Jul 14, 2009
    #6
  9. Jul 14, 2009 #7
    wtm

    wtm Light Load Member

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    Im not sure but im like you ive seen a bunch of new ones forsale. I didnt really pay attention to the mud flaps on it.
     
    wtm, Jul 14, 2009
    wtm, Jul 14, 2009
    #7
  10. Jul 15, 2009 #8
    Brickman

    Brickman Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Other than that weak spot on the Transcraft the Eagle is a good trailer.

    Transcraft has beefed up their new ones quite a bit and changed some of the design with extra bracing.
    I had a 98 Eagle with the same problems. After looking at a new one on their lot I had a neighbor that is handy with a welder brace mine up similar. That really really cut down on the cracking.
    You might try to go that route unless you just really wanna buy a new trailer. Even with paying a shop to fix it right it'll be cheaper than $16,000.
     
    Brickman, Jul 15, 2009
    Brickman, Jul 15, 2009
    #8
  11. Jul 15, 2009 #9
    kajidono

    kajidono Road Train Member

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    Ah oh, I better crawl under mine and check in the morning. It's cracked everywhere else, it would be just my luck if the frame cracked too. That would mean they'd get rid of this annoying thing and get a decent one. Hopefully.
     
    kajidono, Jul 15, 2009
    kajidono, Jul 15, 2009
    #9
  12. Jul 15, 2009 #10
    Les2

    Les2 Road Train Member

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    kicked back in my lazyboy...
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    If your gonna haul coils or loads that are consentrated in a small area them Maxlite Reitnouer's won't hold up very long.

    The aluminum used nowadays is just as strong if not stronger than steel and can be welded easily and will still last.

    Someone said something about Benson.... They shut down months ago. The owner just wanted to retire and no one would give him what it was worth so thats why he closed it. I was past there the other week and it was still closed up. They was an OK trailer, but they never addressed the issue with the trailers taking a nose dive at the dolleys, even the new supposed big Benson (724) had this problem!
     
    Les2, Jul 15, 2009
    Les2, Jul 15, 2009
    #10
    Big John Thanks this.
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