opinions on what is the best flatbed trailer out there?

10-15k???? The last time I priced both there was only 6k difference. Aluminum is stronger than steel, you can't get a steel flat rated for 80k in 4' straight off the lot but you can aluminum.

Just looked on truckpaper. You can get a new 2010 transcraft "heavy duty" for $27,995 or a 2011 72K Mac for $33,900. That's only $5905 difference for more than twice the trailer. You pick your brand of steel flat there isn't much price difference when spec. the same.

Transcraft will crack right at the suspension. We owned 3 and all but one cracked in the same place. We sold the last one before it had a chance. I'm not knocking all steel or combo flats. We ran them for years problem free. But after you paint a few you realize it's not worth it. A steel flat with a wood floor will be HEAVY.

Reitnouer used to be a good trailer but I think they're lacking on quality lately. Loaded side by side I have yet to see anything carry the load as good as a Mac. Also the term "overkill" doesn't exist when you order a Mac. You want a 7" arch, triple bagged axles, side braces every foot, polished frame, aluminum mud flaps, 6 J hook tracks? No problem.

 

IMHO I don't see how anyone can justify running an all steel trailer in an OTR operation.

I've pulled Western & Wilson & like them both a lot. Reliance is junk, Alloy became junk when Reliance bought them. I pulled a Transcraft back in the 80's & had good luck with it. If I had an operation where it would work, my old outside frame 42' air ride Utility was a great little trailer.

I have a friend with a Ravens that is at least 20 years old & he hasn't killed it yet.

 

When I bought my step deck about 5 years ago, aluminum trailers were quite a bit more expensive than steel. A friend of mine bought a steel flat and paid about $27,000. Aluminum trailers that he looked at were selling for about $40,000 at the time. I can't imagine prices coming down that much. I don't remember aluminum being able to carry more than steel other than the difference in trailer weight. There are advantages and disadvantages of owning both. For instance, it is fairly easy to punch a hole in the deck of an aluminum trailer.

 

About 5 years ago aluminum anything was pricy due to world prices for aluminum. Aluminum prices have come down.

 

yes alum about 3 years ago was at just over 98cents a pound now it is down to around 55-60cents makes a huge difference

 

Since when is steel weaker then aluminum? This is news to me....... Certain aluminum alloys are as strong and some are stronger then certain types of steel but then there are certain types of steel that aluminum cannot compete with.

I drive for TMC and they pretty much have all Benson flats. All aluminum, dump axles and all around nice trailers. They pull great and the trailers I have had so far are in good shape and are usually older like from 05 and older.

 

I might have considered aluminum had the price been closer to steel. I can't believe the price has dropped that much. I thought the price had actually gone up. I pull a fair amount of equipment. I have had a combo before. The first time you pull something heavy with wheels on the deck of an aluminum trailer, such as a forklift, it will usually bend the deck, which makes it a little awkward to put pallets on the trailer. Once that happens it is easy for pallets to walk on the deck. That won't happen with wood. Freight doesn't slide as easily on wood and steel. When the deck is wet, you are not as likely to slip as easily on wood and steel as you are on aluminum. There is a little more maintenance with wood and steel, but there are also advantages. Some shippers won't allow carriers to use an aluminum trailer to pick up their product. Some military freight won't ship on anything but wood and steel. You don't need to paint aluminum as you do steel, but you may need to replace panels from time to time due to a hole getting punched in the floor or it getting bent. It can be surprisingly easy to damage an aluminum deck. Aluminum is a little lighter, but that is rarely a problem with most freight that I haul. As I said, there are advantages and disadvantages to either.

 

I didn't say you couldn't get a steel flat as strong as an aluminum one but not as near as light. A standard "heavy duty" 48x102 steel flat weighs around 11,500#. An aluminum flat with the same specs weighs under 9k. So if weight and rust isn't an issue then steel is fine. If your not hauling coils then most brands are fine, concentrated loads is what separates the brands.

We bought a '94 Benson brand new and it was junk, was a good looking trailer...... until you loaded it.

 

Ok my misunderstanding.