Suggestions on what flatbed to get ‍♂️

I’m a new driver, so there’s a lot I don’t know. I found a great deal on an all steel Transcraft or an all steel Utility 48’ x 102’. I was going to get it until I learned that an all steel trailer may put me overweight because I haul a lot of 45 to 48,000lbs steel coils out of my city. I found a tolerable deal on a Utility combo 48, 102 but the trailer repair man I use says the Utility brand is garbage ‍♂️ (He hasn’t seen my particular trailer yet. He’s just against the brand.) Definitely can’t afford an all aluminum. All knowledgeable advice is welcomed. Tell me what brands typically have bad or good reputations among seasoned flatbeders. I have to get this right because I already over spent buying the wrong truck ‍♂️ Thanks

 

You have steel or you have aluminum.

You say you haul heavy coils. That makes it aluminum for you. I was assigned a Ravens back in the 90's for a year. We put 52000 pounds on it as a single coil a few times. 24 feet long wide as the deck and as high.

There are wags here on TTR who thinks THAT is a lunch counter talk coming from me. But it's actual fact from first hand experience on my end.

Ive had both steel transcroft and aluminum ravens and prefer the Ravens hands down. I think they are Reitanouer now not sure.

 

Why didn't you use a Landoll trailer; being from Baltimore and all that?

 

It has no purpose for us.

For what we did with EcKMiller of Rockport IN in the coil work.

The Landoll probably has a use with renting of containers as storage space in stores on the ground among other things. Container work is one thing I made sure to get out of at a very early age for a variety of very good reasons.

 

You ran out of Rockport IN? Most likely knew my old man. And he would tell you "A Ravens was recycled beer can trailer". All most as bad as a Trans Crack!. Oh sorry Transcraft! Both trailers should come with a free wire welder. You can't stick weld them as fast as they crack. Sounds like a mill roll not a coil but its your story and there is 3 or 4 versions on here anyhow. Good luck

 

Or you have a combo which is steel AND aluminum like he’s looking at.

No one doubts that you might have possibly hauled a 52,000 pound coil, but with all the other non sense you spew it’s hard to believe anything you say.

 

Used to go in there with cranes all the time, it was an easy plant to get in and out of.

 

You can't find a good, used and affordable aluminum?

Most heavy flatbed loads are thrown out as 48,000 pounds. They don't always weigh that much.
It's expected of your lightweight to be 32,000 or less.

 

My second trailer was a Transcaft with a neway suspension, the deck never needed welded but the neway was rebushed couple times and broke the front bolt in suspension arm 4-5 times. I bought new 98 east that I owned 6-7 years had to have it welded at spead where bottom flange and webbing. I bought a new Ravens magnun in 05 and hauled 70-80 payload 2-3 times a week for first 9-10 years never did anything to that trailer but tires brakes and fix a few lights for 13 years. Ravens sold to Fontain but Dover is selling the Magnum again for a year or two.

I would take snowwy's advice and find a good used aluminum if you can. It will always be worth more even if you scrap it when your done with it.

If your hauling steel and can't scale at least 48k your going to be off to a bad start.

 

My Ravens has been good so far for a 24 year old aluminum trailer. Never haul coils, but do run 46-48K 20’ long often. I want to sell it, and buy a Mac though.