Thoughts on Doonan 50’6” drop deck and some spec questions.

Hi guys,
so I’ve been going back and forth on a trailer purchase issue watching and setting my mind on one trailer after another. Wanted either a combo composition or full aluminum.

Of course aluminum is a nicer thing and it doesn’t rust, but I’ve heard that steel frame is more durable. I do need it for steel (sometimes coils), etc, but also general freight.

I came across Doonan combo drop deck spec’d pretty much the way I need excepf for 2 minor issues, but later about that.

Trailer is 50’6”, because it has twist locks, and I need it this way, lower deck is 40’6”, so perfect size for 40’ box. Although I’m kinda wondering if it’s not going to be an issue with freight booked for 53’... if that 2.5 ft shortage is not going to be an issue?

Also, trailer has load rating 80k evenly distributed and 50k over 10 ft. There is no posted rating for 4 ft. I’m wondering if it’s possible to guess/calculate 4 ft rating from those 2 numbers available? Not sure how much would it be. Let’s say 45k coil... I guess it would be too much for it.

The last thing is the weight. Previously I spec’d a custom Transcraft, but it weighed over 12.5k lbs. This one apparently (according to the dealer) only weighs 10.5k, because it has aluminum cross members and the frame is hogh strengh lightweight steel (can it be that way?).
I haven’t seen any official spec sheet, but will try to get it from the dealer. Is it possible that it weighs that much (little)?

Is Doonan considered a good quality brand? Or it’s all the same crap, unless go all out for Mac or Retinouer?

Trailer doesn’t have chain hooks, which I wanted, but it has a rail for J hooks, which dealer says kind replace chain hooks. I got used to chain hooks, but I could live with the other solution I guess. They could also add chain hooks if I insisted for an extra charge.

Trailer doesn’t have ramps, thinking if it’s possible to add them later, or I should just find/spec one with them already? Never had ramps, so I don’t really know how much use do they get, and if it’s a must have in you guy’s opinion?

Thanks in advance.

 

To be honest I searched thru truck paper ans there is no combo drop deck that they make, that would have 4ft load rating posted. Unless I’m looking at the wrong place. See below. They all have information plaques like this.

I cannot give up coils. Where should I look for in a trailer spec to have one that can bear 45-50k coil?