Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/538378
62 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | JULY 2015 T oday's flatbed trailers, if properly spec'd, are more productive, require less maintenance, are safer and are built to last longer. They may look similar to their predecessors, but modern engi- neering techniques have made them stronger and lighter. For example, aluminum alloys offer the durability of high tensile-strength steel at less than half the weight. Meanwhile, running gear and other ancillary items also have made progress in recent years. Suspensions are easier to install as a module, and other improvements include bet- ter wheel seals and bearings, lighter wheel-end components, redesigned wiring harnesses and LED lighting. Some flatbed purchasers are willing to pay more for the protection of certain areas of the trailer that are damaged prematurely by harsh road chemicals or repeated exposure to the elements. Options include hot-dipped galvanized rear frames, impact guards and other rear components designed to minimize rusting after scrapes against docks; hot-dipped galvanized understructures, landing gear bracing and front components that are impacted during coupling and uncou- pling; and coating crossmembers with materials such as wax that is self-healing following impact with road debris. The following are standard or typical specifications for popular flatbeds marketed by leading suppliers. TRAILER FOCUS Flatbed trailers EAST www.eastmfg.com BST Length: 53 ft., 8-in. neck Width: 102 in. Floor: Knurled, 3-nailers, integrated outside rail Landing gear: Jost AX150 Alumilight Crossmember: 22 in. with coil package Distributed load capac- ity: 80,000-lb. GVW Concentrated load capacity: 50,000 lbs. in 4 ft.; 60,000 lbs. in 10 ft. Suspension: AAL25K/ E2/L-lift-E1; rear axle slide, inside rails Brakes: 16 1 ⁄2-by-7 in., automatic slack adjust- ers, 4S-2M ABS Tiedowns: Integrated winch track on both sides Axles: TP, 121-in. spacing, California legal Aluminum BST II Length: 48 ft., 24-in. beam Width: 102 in. Floor: Knurled, 3-nailers, integrated side rail Landing gear: Jost AX150 Alumilight Crossmember: 22 in. with coil package Distributed load capac- ity: 120,000-lb. GVW Concentrated load capacity: 65,000 lbs. in 4 ft. Suspension: AAT25K/E2-1 (soft coat) Brakes: 16 1 ⁄2-by-7 in., automatic slack adjust- ers, 4S-2M ABS Tiedowns: Integrated winch track on both sides Axles: TP, 121-in. spacing, 30 in. axle-to-rear MMX Length: 48 ft. Width: 102 in. Floor: Knurled, 3-nailers, integrated side rail Landing gear: Jost AX150 Alumilight Crossmember: 16 in. with coil package Distributed load capac- ity: 145,000-lb. GVW Concentrated load capacity: 80,000 lbs. in 4 ft. Suspension: AAT30K/E2-1 Brakes: 16 1 ⁄2-by-7 in., automatic slack adjust- ers, 4S-2M ABS Tiedowns: Integrated winch track on both sides Axles: TP, 121-in. spacing, 30 in. axle-to-rear BST II Narrow Neck Length: 53 ft., narrow neck Width: 102 in. Floor: Knurled, 3-nailers, integrated outside rail Landing gear: Jost AX150 Alumilight Crossmember: 22 in. with coil package Distributed load capac- ity: 80,000-lb. GVW Concentrated load capacity: 50,000 lbs. in 4 ft.; 60,000 lbs. in 10 ft. Suspension: AAL25K/ E2/L-lift-E1; rear axle slide, inside rails Brakes: 16 1 ⁄2-by-7 in., automatic slack adjust- ers, 4S-2M ABS Tiedowns: Integrated winch track on both sides