Best truck to use for flatbed

48 inch flat is really small, particularly if you cannot stand up to your full height inside of them.

We had 54 inch volvo midroof approximately but 6+ feet from top to cab floor in our time. The next OTR tractor was a full FLD 120 Condominium closer to 70 inches back there and room for two.

The flatbed depends on what is being hauled. Coil package is different set of problems than presented by say roofing rolls or shingle.

 

Get a flat top or midroof. You'll save on fuel costs because of less wind resistance.
Look at successful flatbed & tanker companies and most will use midroof.

 

Needs a lot of torque. Flatbeds create more resistance than vans (aerodynamically).

 

How do you come to that? Empty surely no. High loads bout the same as a van. See many flat trailers get toppled over in strong winds?

 

My next truck is gonna be a flattop. I have a mid roof now(in avatar). Why......... cuz that’s the style now and you don’t need the extra dynamics for a flat. Your gonna get all different answers...... I would focus more on the drivetrain and stay away from the automatics..... not to good if your delivering on hardcore job sites. Also.... go with a name brand to get the most for a future resale value.

 

Two smokestacks a must.

 

I would like to know where you guys come up with this stuff, I always got better mileage pulling a flat, unless loaded with some weird load, never had to even think about shutting down in wyoming or anywhere else because of wind, and a flat just plain pulls easier, period.
I never know what I am pulling these days until I get there and get my trailer number to pick up, My run is 1012 miles half empty, if I pull a van or reefer up laoded and an empty back, I will use 240 gallons average, If I pull a van up and an empty flat back, that drops to around 215 to 20 gallons, if I pull a flat up and back, I can get under 200.
This is with 3 axle trailers, 4 or 5 axles on the flats, gets me up in van range.

That said, I would not want the typical van truck the way guys are gearing them these days with direct trannies and super high rear gears, because pulling a flat a guy will be getting in the dirt at times, and need the low torque to start off with a load.
I would go with a midroof, sleeper, with a longer wheelbase than the typical van setup, and overdrive, 13 or 18 tranny and nothing higher than 355 gears, my preference is 370 gears, myself. If over the road, the sleeper would be in the 72 inch variety.

 

Yes, I love those black stacks. Chrome is going the way of the horse & carriage.

 

I drove flattop trucks pulling flatbeds and reefers, running coast to coast. Really like that style.