HELP Where to get the best deal on a Flatbed Trailer

I bought my last/current flat from "Xtra-lease" and they are all over the country.
They price used trailers by year model. Not condition!
My 2000 G/Dane 48x96 a/r spread was the best trailer on the lot. Had a hub-meter from the factory, that showed 28,000 original miles. Brakes/drums at 90%, tires junk. Deck still had red factory paint tho faded and worn,12 welded on winches, & a good arch. Price=$7,000.00 otd.

There were newer ones that costed more, but were not near as good.
ie; 2000 mod = 7k.
2002 mod + 8k etc.
Didn't matter which 2000 mod I chose,,,the price was $7k.

Buy a 48' x 102 a/r spread (96" will work tho I have had a couple shippers say they wouldn't load a 96) unless you are gonna run Canada. The spread wont work there. A closed tandem with a slider would be good for Canada.

Don't just look on the internet at photos...go look at what they have.

They don't finance so bring money.

Good luck

edit; JMHO but there's no-way I'd buy an aluminum trailer! A combo (alum. deck/steel frame) would be great.
When an aluminum frame cracks,,,there's no way to fix it without it going to a shop that can really repair thick aluminum. That costs ALOTA money.

Also whatever you buy, make sure it has a good arch to it.

 

I bought my 48 foot 2012 flatbed trailer from Utility Trailer in Orlando, Florida. I started out looking for a used trailer, but a new one comes with a five year warranty, plus great financing. If you have good credit, Utility will finance a trailer for five years through GE Capital.

Other advice is to visit you local trailer sales yards and also shop Truck Paper. Unless a used trailer is in exceptionally good shape, try to go new first. Make sure it is equipped with aluminum wheels (less weight) and have your boxes mounted also. You not only want to have good equipment, but look professional going into customers for pick up and delivery. Buy a ratty trailer, and you may get questionable looks from customers.

 

There is a benefit to a 53 if you are hauling LONG loads 60-70' because theres less overhang off the back. example...a 60' pipe could hang off the back 7' if it was at the nose of the trailer w/o a permit, where it would have to have a 5' hang off the front of the trailer, and a 7 ' hang on the rear on a 48.
Thats about the only benefit I could see. Some states say 4' o/h w/o a permit, some say 6, some say 7. Depends on where you go. Anything longer on either trailer is gonna require an O/Size permit. For what I do? No real benefit over a 48.

 

There are places we have been running into that are requiring 53' trailers. We have one on order just because of that.

 

A trailer is a trailer, it doesn't have moving parts. You can use anything from 2013 to 1973 if you want to, as long as the structure is in good shape. Check to see if the frame is cracked anywhere. Make sure there are few if any reweldings. Check if the floor is in good shape, it should have a healthy bend peaking around the middle. Check all the lights, check on the tires. Don't go much older than 1995 or so because you don't want the older wheel systems, but they will work. Best type is usually a combo, its a good mix of strength and weight.

Shoot for a 48x102. Some brokers require that, but a lot of loads don't. 45x96 will work just fine in a lot cases, but you might get some loads turned down. The call on a 53 is yours to make, its 5 feet longer so you have those five extra feet to load an extra partial, and youll have less overhang on longer loads like pipe. It's also heavier and harder to maneuver, and you gotta check if the kingpin setting is legal in all the states. Unless you have cargo that needs it, a 48 will suit you just fine. Spread axles are easier to distribute weight, but they aren't legal in Canada so if you plan on going there go with a sliding axle. Flatbeds used to be dirt cheap a few years back, but now theyve been on the rise the last couple of years. Look for a good deal on a 98-02 in good condition and you can't really go wrong.

I'd prefer a million times over to buy cash instead of finance a new one. Monthly payments can force you to take cheap rates to make ends meet, god forgive you have an injury or a sickness and you can't work for two months and the repo man will be happy to be at your doorstep. I'd rather pay for a fix on something I own rather than pay monthly for something that looses value much quicker and that I owe completely. Older trailers from around 98-02 really don't loose much if any value if kept in good shape, but an '12 will loose value by the day. Besidess, you can always resell the older trailer and use it to buy something newer as you progress your business. But the call is yours too make.

 

Short answer, Richie Brother Auctions, They sell all heavy duty eqipment, Tractors, Trailers, Mixers, Drops decks, Flats, Dozers, Graders, batch plants, etc...... Its where the people that have money go buy there stuff...

 

Well, opinions are everywhere and I have to say.....everyone is right. Never buy new
When looking at trailers. 48' will be fine, just make sure it 102" wide and spread axel

 

Have you seen the price of used flats? Buy new for a couple grand more. I paid 39,800 for a new 2010 reitnouer step in 2010. I sold it in October with wore out tires for 39,000. I turned around and bought a bigger reitnouer step 2013 for 43,200.