Going Flatbed and Need Some Setup Advise

Play this one out on paper, rather than in the muck of fifthwheel greese with a string my friend! Look up Pythagorean theorem.. A squared + B squared = C squared <---aka the angle of the dangle

Lets say you get a 24" pin length, on a 102" wide trailer. 24" is A, to find B divide by 2 (this is the center of the trailer) =51"
So the problem now looks like this...
(24x24) + (51x51) = 3177
The square root of 3177 = 56.36" from your new head ache rack to the center of the fifth wheel. Add a couple inches for just in case. and if you subtract 24" from 56" and add in the 'oh ####' inches you get approx 35" from head ache rack to front of trailer. If this is beyond your prime fifthwheel setting, I suggest a spread axle trailer.

And to my teacher Ms. Whale, whom pounded in this pythagorean crap (said you'll thank me one day) Okay you win, Thank you Ms. Whale (Blubber butt!)

 

Most flat beds don't have anywhere near as deep of a pin setting as a van does. I'd figure 18 to 24 inches with 30 inches being the max you'll see and it's fairly rare.

 

Please hire on with a flatbed company first so you will learn the ropes and keep you and the public safe.

 

Some flatbeds have a 24" king pin settings, usually spreads, same goes for step decks.
Also, replace the both side step with step boxes for storage as well a center box between the rails. That will give enough room for storage, plus the headboard. If you get the headboard with the close doors, there more inside for more storage besides hanging the chains and binders. Like said here already, you have to make the most room available for storage.

 

it works just fine if you mount hangers in the box. Our 4 axle flats are set up that way with chains and binders in the driver side box and straps in the passenger side box.

 

I'm in the same boat, got a apu thing on back of cab and worried I want have enough room. I'm thinking about putting a headboard on the trailer with chain racks and locks, does anyone know if that would become a problem or not?