Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/699972
64 commercial carrier journal | july 2016 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 engineering techniques have made them stronger and lighter. 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 by normal wear, 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 specifications for popular flatbeds marketed by leading suppliers. – Dean Smallwood TRAILER FOCUS Flatbed trailers EAST www.eastmfg.com BST/BST II ALUMINUM FLATBED Length: BST, up to 53 ft., 21-in. beam; BST II, up to 53 ft., 24-in. beam Width: 96 and 102 in. Floor: Knurled, 2-nailers, integrated outside rail Landing gear: 2-speed Jost AX150 AlumiLight, d/s crank, maintenance-free Crossmember: 22 in. with CLP deck reinforcement Distributed load capac- ity: BST, up to 90,000- lb. GVW; BST II, up to 100,000-lb. GVW Concentrated load capacity: BST, up to 52,000 lbs. in 4 ft., 60,000 lbs. in 10 ft.; BST II, up to 65,000 lbs. in 4 ft., 72,000 lbs. in 10 ft. Suspension: AAT25K, two- axle spread Brakes: 16½-by-7 in., auto- matic brake adjusters, 4S-2M ABS Tiedowns: Adjustable optional and integrated winch track on both sides; optional double-L winch side rail Axles: TP spindles MMX ALUMINUM FLATBED Length: Up to 53 ft., 28-in. beam Width: 96 and 102 in. Floor: Knurled, 2-nailers, integrated side rail Landing gear: 2-speed Jost AX150 AlumiLight, d/s crank, maintenance-free Crossmember: 22 in. with CLP deck reinforcement, 16 in. optional Distributed load capacity: Up to 145,000-lb. GVW Concentrated load capacity: Up to 80,000 lbs. in 4 ft., 89,000 lbs. in 10 ft. Suspension: AAT30K, two- axle spread Brakes: 16½-by-7 in., auto- matic brake adjusters, 4S-2M ABS Tiedowns: Adjustable optional and integrated winch track on both sides Axles: TP spindles BST II ALUMINUM NARROW NECK FLATBED Length: 48 ft., 21-in. beam, 8-in. neck Width: 102 in. Floor: Knurled, 2-nailers, integrated outside rail Landing gear: 2-speed Jost AX150 AlumiLight, d/s crank, maintenance-free Crossmember: 22 in. with CLP deck reinforcement Distributed load capacity: Up to 80,000-lb. GVW Concentrated load capacity: Up to 50,000 lbs. in 4 ft. Suspension: AAL25K, two- axle spread Brakes: 16½-by-7 in., auto- matic brake adjusters, 4S-2M ABS Tiedowns: Adjustable optional and integrated winch track on both sides; optional double-L winch side rail; adaptable to rolling tarp and curtainside systems Axles: TP spindles BST/BST II ALUMINUM DROP DECK Length: Up to 53 ft. Width: BST, 102 in., 26-in. drop deck; BST II, 102 in., 28-in. drop deck