What is a Flatbed trailer? 

A flatbed trailer is a widely used heavy-duty truck-trailer,  The flatbed semi-trailer has no fences in the on-board part and is widely used, mainly used for medium and long-distance freight transportation.

The most common types of flatbed trailers have two beams that are longitudinally spaced from each other. The beams are connected using cross sills or multiple transverse beams, which are firmly welded on the longitudinal beams.

The frame of flatbed trailers provides a rigid and strong structure that holds the wheels, landing gear, floor or bed, kingpin and the suspension system.

The stability of these components depends on the strength of the frame. Hence, most models of trailers have frames made of aluminum or steel beams.

Trailers made of aluminum have a different weight capacity from those made of steel. The prices differ too based on the material. Aluminum trailers are preferred because they are lightweight.

However, the trailers are expensive compared with the heavier steel trailers. The minimum weight of steel flatbed trailer is 10,000 pounds while the minimum weight of aluminum flatbed trailers is 8,500 pounds.

The difference in weight means that companies can ship more goods with aluminum trailers while observing the legal requirements on the maximum weight of trailers.

Countries set different limits on the total weight of trailers that includes the weight of the load, tractor, and trailer. Both steel and aluminum container trailers can transport loads that exceed the legal weight limits.

As mentioned earlier, aluminum flatbed trailers can transporter heavier loads than trailer with a steel frame. The benefit of this is that transport companies reduced labor costs, wear and tear, and fuel consumption.

The saved costs compensate for the high initial cost of buying the trailer. Flatbed container trailers with aluminum frame are generally more efficient in transport operations.

The Flatbed Container Trailer Specifications

The design of the 20ft / 40ft flatbed container trailer has been made in consideration with the legal industry requirements for container trailers.

For this reason, the initial push was for a lightweight flatbed trailer that can haul different payloads of up to about 36,000Kg.

This particular design has a weight advantage of about 1100Kg and 1800Kg over traditional steel and aluminum trailers respectively.

This allows an extra load of the same weight per trip. This extra payload can offer a good extra profit before the life span of the trailer lapses. Essentially, it helps the user have maximum benefit from such an investment.

The trailer’s lightweight structure is due to a comparatively thin bottom plate attached to a strong and lightweight cellular stiffening framework made from several intersecting partitions that form several polygonal cells,

and multiple carefully spaced stiffened slats attached to the upper part of the stiffening framework in order to anchor the flatbed floor. 

The layered framework is set so that the upper plate serves as a stressed outer skin that helps in the distribution of the loan evenly over the slats.

Ultimately, this helps in the distribution of the load in a uniform manner over the cellular stiffening framework.

This is good for the efficient distribution of the load uniformly over the base plate and anchor members where the base plate acts as a stressed outer skin.

What you have in the end is a structure that is light due to the well-distributed load forces through an integrated stressed-member system.

Despite the light construction, this framework is able to carry loads up to and above the most common weight standard limits.  Ideally, a light weight container trailer provides more load capacity.

In line with one aspect of the fabrication, the intersecting partitions are offered with interlocking slots to enhance assembly.

Again, slots are provided on the upper edge of the choice partitions to allow the receipt of slats that transfer the load forces from the floor of the trailer to the cellular stiffening structure.

Applications of Flatbed trailers

Flatbed trailers have a wide range of application scenarios and can be used to transport:

Containers

Woods

Machinery

Etc.

Size and Load Capacity

The size of Flatbed trailers are generally 20fts, 40fts and 45fts. The maximum load capacity can reach 100 tons.

Tank Trailer Supplier 

Youcan Trailer was founded in 1999. Rich experiences of producing Flatbed trailers ,precisely tailored to your fleet requirements.

The company specialized in providing aluminum tankers, fuel tankers, bulk cement tankers, dumper trailers,tipper trailers, stake/sidewall  trailers, flatbed trailers, low-bed trailers, container carrier trailers, cargo trailers, and other hundreds of products with 23 Years of experiences. Feel free to contact us for latest price of new semi-trailers. Competitive price with reliable quality waiting for you!