Tips on How to Buy a Flatbed Trailer

November 17th, 2022

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A flatbed driving down the road.

If you’re ready for a new business opportunity, you should buy a flatbed trailer. A flatbed trailer is an open transport vehicle for oversized cargo. They come in various sizes, shapes, and specialty features to securely deliver your shipment.  

By purchasing the right flatbed trailer for your business, you can enhance productivity, reduce lengthy pickup and delivery times, increase safety, and make it easier for your drivers to handle the loads.  

Follow along in this trailer buying guide as we break down what a flatbed trailer is used for and why you’ll want to buy flatbed trailers for your fleet. 

What Are Flatbed Trailers Used For?

To determine if you should buy a flatbed trailer, you need to know what it’s used for.  

Flatbed trailers are the workhorses of the trucking industry. They are designed to haul cargo that cannot be loaded onto a standard trailer like a semi-trailer. 

They’re used to haul a wide range of cargo and come in handy for many situations, like shipping heavy machinery or transporting irregular equipment.  

Flatbed trailers don’t have side walls or a roof and are often lower to the ground. This makes it easier to load items onto the trailer for an efficient delivery.  

What Are Curtain Side Trailers Used For?

A curtain side trailer is a combination of a dry van and a flatbed trailer. It is loaded like a flatbed but is protected by an enclosed frame like a dry van. 

A curtain side trailer allows you to tow anything from pipes to steel and iron. When enclosed, the trailer allows you to move things like fruits and vegetables as well.  

If you’re deciding between a dry van vs flatbed trailer, think about whether you need covered protection for the cargo. If so, buying a trailer like a curtain side is a reasonable option. 

Types of Flatbed Trailers 

A list of different types of flatbed trailers with a photo of a flatbed trailer.

Flatbed trailers are one of the most popular vehicles in the trucking industry, and there are many different types to choose from. The common types of flatbeds include: 

Aluminum Flatbeds

Aluminum flatbed trailers are often the lightest option, as they are lighter than steel or composite trailers. They are made entirely of aluminum, from the beam and side rails to the flooring. 

These trailers are more expensive than composite and steel trailers, but they have a higher market value. Aluminum flatbed trailers are designed with an arch (camber) that allows the beam to level as weight is added, since they bend more easily than steel. 

Composite Flatbeds 

Composite flatbeds cost less than aluminum trailers and slightly more than steel trailers due to the materials used for their structure: a steel beam, an aluminum floor, and aluminum side rails.  

This combination of aluminum’s weight makes the trailer lighter, but the strength of the steel beam is the strong foundation. 

Steel Flatbeds

Steel flatbeds are made entirely of steel, from the beam and side rails to the suspension hangers. This is what makes them heavier than aluminum trailers. 

They are a lower upfront cost investment, but their resale value is lower as well. It’s a trailer made for the long haul and makes an excellent work trailer. 

How Much Does a Flatbed Trailer Cost

To get into flatbed shipping, you’ll need to know how much of an investment to make when buying a trailer. Several factors determine how much a flatbed trailer costs. The first thing to consider is whether or not you want to buy a new or used flatbed trailer.  

It may be a more budget-friendly option to buy used equipment. Buying a used flatbed trailer saves on upfront costs when you’re first getting into flatbed shipping.  

Tips for Buying a Flatbed Trailer

A list of tips on how to buy a flatbed trailer.

Many different types of flatbed trailers are available on the market, and it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. Here’s what you need to know before you buy a flatbed trailer: 

Create a Budget

Flatbed models are available at different price points. Before you buy a flatbed trailer, you should examine your budget. Look at what you want to spend and how much you can afford. You can find a flatbed that fits your budget and your needs. 

Consider the Tow Vehicle

Your tow vehicle has a significant impact on the flatbed trailers you can select.  

Start with reviewing the towing vehicle’s towing capacity. Keep in mind that this covers both the weight of the flatbed trailer and any contents.  

Avoid purchasing a flatbed trailer that is oversized. A heavy truck will limit the cargo capacity that a tow vehicle can move per haul. 

Evaluate Cargo Weight & Size  

The average weight allowance for most flatbed trailers is around 48,000 lbs. for trucks with trailer lengths ranging from 48 to 53 feet. This might vary depending on the flatbed trailer dimensions, like the number of axles in the flatbed truck.  

Knowing this information before you buy a flatbed trailer will let you determine how much you can haul in a single trip. You’ll see what you need to secure your load as well to ensure maximum protection of cargo. 

Benefits of Buying a Flatbed Trailer

Flatbed trailers are available in a variety of sizes and hauling capacities, allowing you to transport materials of all different sizes and weights.  

We’ve highlighted three reasons why buying a flatbed trailer might benefit your fleet: 

Simplified loading process: Use a flatbed trailer to speed up the loading and unloading process. Since flatbed trailers aren’t enclosed, having the option to load and unload from all sides makes delivery simple. Heavy items can be loaded or lifted with a forklift or crane, avoiding injuries caused by physical lifting. Having a moving floor trailer can also alleviate this problem while keeping the load sheltered from the elements.  

Low shipping costs: Flatbed trailers can transport large loads without the use of enclosed containers. For some materials, like forklifts or wind turbines, this is the only way they can be moved to their destination. Some trailers can even extend their flatbed in length, providing more space for items and allowing fewer trips.  

Cargo protection: The best part about purchasing a flatbed trailer is that it can be used for more than just transport. If you need over-ground storage, you can do so with the trailer as well. You won’t have to bother about unloading and reloading the cargo onto another truck. Just keep the items secure and away from the elements. 

Renting vs Buying a Flatbed Trailer

Renting a flatbed trailer has its benefits – for starters, it’s cheaper than buying a trailer.  

You won’t have to worry about maintenance costs or a decrease in value. The owner of the flatbed will take care of those things. If you just want to try out a flatbed before buying a trailer, renting is the perfect way to ease into ownership. 

Just make sure that when you’re renting, you have a plan for how to schedule your deliveries ahead of time. If you want to use the same trailer over and over again, you’ll have to pay each time because it belongs to someone else. Sometimes rental companies only allow short-term rentals (e.g., six months), which limits your ability to plan ahead and get exactly what you need.  

If renting sounds like the right option for your company, check out our tips for renting a trailer

Conclusion

You now have the tips for maximum purchasing power when you go to buy flatbed trailers for your fleet. Plan out your next shipments once you find the vehicle that fits your budget and needs. 

Hale Trailer can help you find the perfect flatbed to transport your products, ensuring everything arrives on time. Our experts are the answer if you need a reliable partner to transfer your heavy or oversized items. Our various trailers are ready for the long haul, whether you’re looking to rent or buy one of our used flatbed trailers. Browse our line-up online or at one of the trailer rental locations if you want to learn more about how we can work for you. 

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