Which flatbed for reliability/ longevity hauling coils?

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by slav, Sep 21, 2018.

  1. slav

    slav Bobtail Member

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    I plan to buy a new flatbed trailer. I live in Chicago, and will be hauling 46-47k coils often.
    I ask for advice. Are Reitnouer Maxmiser/ MAC Road warrior/ East BST, Fontaine Revolution 52 sufficient for the task, or should I go heavier, like Big Bubba/ MAC 60K beam/ East BST2?
    I will have Fastrak tarp system installed on the trailer, which is a big investment, so I need a trailer to be able to take coil abuse for long years.
    What would you recommend? Thanks ahead for a piece of advice from experienced steel haulers.
     
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  3. DL550CAT

    DL550CAT Road Train Member

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    MAC with the heavier beams. I used to haul mill rolls between plants. I had MAC build a trailer for me a few years back it. It hauled mid 70k mill rolls on a regular basis and seen its share of 80 plus. It always had an arch and in the 5 years I run it it never cracked anywhere.
     
  4. DL550CAT

    DL550CAT Road Train Member

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  5. slav

    slav Bobtail Member

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    Thank you for your reply. That's an impressive scale ticket, but I don't plan to haul that heavy in the near future. I think I didn't ask my question clearly, let me try clearing that out.
    I understand, the heavier- the more durable, but it also weighs more and costs more. I'm looking for the balance of price tag/ durability/ weight. I don't plan to load coils heavier than 50k, but mostly ones that weigh 46-48k. I know Maxmiser, and MAC with a 52k beam will easily handle an occasional coil. My question is - can they haul coils every day for ten years? Would that be too much to ask of Maxmiser or MAC 52k if I plan to keep the trailer for 10 years? Is that class of trailers tough enough to haul single coils on a regular basis?
    Or should I pay more and get Big Bubba or MAC with a 60k beam?
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2018
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  6. Tug Toy

    Tug Toy Road Train Member

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    If you want to haul coils everyday for the next 10 years your going to want one of these....... AE210913-53FD-436A-997D-99AB03633499.jpeg or a Mac 60. Real coil haulers never stop at 46k lb coils. We have maximizers in our fleet and even though they have coil packs no way they would survive hauling coils everyday.
     
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  7. special-k

    special-k Road Train Member

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    If your in it for the long haul l would go with the 60 beam for sure. Where you are located you will get into permitted/overweight loads sooner or later. Guys that run lighter spec'd trailers usually trade them after 5 years because they're worried about cracking issues.
     
  8. Tug Toy

    Tug Toy Road Train Member

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    If you buy a used one, watch out for this though.

    What was left of my 2007 king pin. 0DA39509-701B-4502-A430-05AA26E70932.jpeg
     
  9. Cummins_444

    Cummins_444 Medium Load Member

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    If you get a fast track. Get either a reitnouer big Bubba or a mac m60 beam. Both are light and stronger to keep your roll tarp tight.
     
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  10. special-k

    special-k Road Train Member

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    Quick draw has the nicest setup for keeping the tarp tight on an arched trailer imo. If you are sure you're going to be a dedicated steel hauler.
    Shorter is lighter and stronger. Just saying.
     
  11. Tug Toy

    Tug Toy Road Train Member

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    Loaded next to a guy a few weeks ago. Bought a nice 2013 Big Bubba for $13000,00 because it was a 45’.

    Nice clean well kept trailer. He said it sat on the lot for a year because no one would even look at it.

    It was a nice score. He said he had problems with brokers at first but now he just tells them he has a 48’ and no problems,
     
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