What is the Best/worst brand Flatbed trailers out there?

that is not wondering me but i want to do small comparison so i want to know how long it is empty weight, material , how much it is rated , how big axles are....


aluminium have 3time lower modulus of rigidity so it is very problematic material comparing to steel for those high concentrations loads

usually here we are far more skeptical about aluminum as chassis material

 

Well there's the problem. The only way your going to have lightweight and high strength is with aluminum.

The trailer in the pic is 48'x102" (pretty standard here). It's concentrated load rating as a standard 121" spread axle is 80k in 4', 100,000 in 20' and 120,000 in 48' and is sold as the M80. If you have 6 or more axles on the trailer the rating goes up to 100,000 in 4', 120,000 in 10' and 160,000 in 50' and is sold as the M80-XL. The rear two axles are rated for 30k each and the lifts are 25k each.

I understand steerable axles are nothing new however they don't come without their issues. Most have to be lifted to back the vehicle up, they're heavier and higher maintenance and they cost more. Tire scrub isn't an issue because only 2 of the axles are left down to make turns. Even a steerable axle has more tire scrub than one not touching the ground. This is why you want the strongest trailer you can get. I've got a weak 4 axle trailer nobody pulls because with bigger single coil loads lifting the axles is pointless since the frame sags so much the tires still hit the ground.

My trailer in the pic weighs around 16,000# as it sits with chains/binders/wood. The tarping system weighs about 1700# the lift axles (including wheels/tires, extra air tanks and valves add about 4,000#. If you don't haul concentrated loads you can order the lighter weight version which weighs around 8,600#. The same trailer made from steel would easily weigh 3,000# more.

 

thanks for detailed answer




this trailer here german manufactured also from aluminium is 16500lbs it is 45ft long , made from ALU , 4axles each one 22000lbs 37500lbs on 5th wheel , 2 steerable axles and 2 liftable

this version have sideboards , version without them is another 550lbs lighter

there is one austrian manufacture they build steel trailer 4axle very similar to this one but just without sideboards 15000lbs with steel rims with last two axle steerable and one liftable

but it use saf-holland axles and only 19.5inch discs ( bpw axles even with 22.5inch discs are lighter 73lbs per axle

but i believe this one from picture is lot stronger , according to their new brochure 53ton version is 16200lbs and 57ton is 17400lbs , but since this is special vehicle it depends on what customer wants, i have seen one 15800 57ton version

 

Looking at a 2007 fontaine step deck. 10/38 has the coil package for a 60k coil. Trailer is in good shape. Guy wants $14500 for trailer, straps, headache rack, chains, tarps, etc. Also has ramps and two boxes. Seems like a heck of a deal to me. What do you guys/gals think.

 

Should also mention that its a combo. Fontanie infinity