Welcome back to our series on How to Buy the Best Flatbed Trailer
Today, we’re talking about 7 ways to increase your flatbed payload capacity
Watch Series: How to Buy the Best Flat Bed Series:
Essentially you have two options:
a. Lighter trailer to haul more weight
b. Upgrade to a longer trailer or drop deck to increase your hauling capacity
5 Ways to Reduce the Weight of Your Flatbed Trailer
The way to increase your payload is to take weight off of your flatbed trailer. Below are some ways to do that.
- Start with the right flatbed. Most importantly, you want to start with the right flatbed. Lightweight options include the all-aluminum MAC and the 4000AE, which at 8,800 lbs. competes with all-aluminum flatbeds.
Read: “3 Types of Flatbed Trailers” - Aluminum cross members.
Going with aluminum vs. steel cross members saves approximately 400 lbs. - Increase cross member spacing.
Increasing the cross members spacing from 12″ to 18″ saves approximately 300-400 lbs. - Wheels and tires.
Low Pro 22.5” tires on aluminum wheels are approximately 500 lbs. lighter than 11R 24.5” on steel wheels. - Closed tandem slider vs. spread axle.
Spread axle weighs up to 500 lbs. less than a closed tandem sliding axle.
2 Ways to Increase Your Trailers Hauling Capacity
What if weight is not an issue, but you need more capacity? How do you get that? We’ll there are a couple of things you can do.
- Consider a longer tailer.
Flatbeds range from 28’ to 53’. Going with a longer trailer will allow you to increase your payload. If hauling something light, like insulation, you can only fit so much, and a 48’ or 53’ can increase your loading capacity. - Drop Deck trailer.
Also known as a single-drop or step-deck trailer, drop deck trailers range in length from 40’ to 53’ and have a lowered deck which allows you to haul loads too high for a standard flatbed.
A 2 ft. step on a drop deck trailer will allow for an additional 1000 sq. ft. of product, which will add up in the long run to increase your profits.
Utility Keystone works hard at finding the best solution to meet the demands of your hauling requirements.
Read more in this series, How to Buy the Best Flatbed Trailer.
- How to Buy the Best Flatbed Trailer
- 3 Types of Semi-Trailer Flatbeds
- Conestoga vs. Curtainside Trailer
- 7 Ways to Maximize Payload on a Flatbed
- Beam Ratings on a Flatbed Semi-Trailer
- 5 Ways to Prevent Damage to Your Flatbed
- Load Securement Options for Flatbed Semi-Trailers
- Hauling Equipment on Step Decks and Flatbeds
- Bulkheads and Accessories for Flatbeds
Watch More How to Buy the Best Semi-Trailer Flatbeds
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Read Articles on How to Buy the Best Dry Beds
How to Buy the Best Bulkheads and Accessories for Flatbed Semi-Trailers
We'll answer questions like; What is a bulkhead on a flatbed? What type of bulkhead is best for my flatbed? What is a dunnage rack? What is the purpose of a lift axle?
Load Securement Options for Flatbed Semi-Trailers
We'll review how you can spec your flatbed trailer to maximize your load securement options. We will discuss the different options available to you from a spec standpoint regarding securing your load.
Beam Ratings on a Flatbed Semi-Trailer
The beams on your flatbed are essentially the backbone of your trailer. A pair of longitudinal support beam sections running under the deck the length of the trailer connects the front approach plate, the suspension hangers in the rear, and all the cross members run through it. We’ll look at the different flatbed trailers, their beams.