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Time is a primary constituent of efficiency. Tarping open flatbed loads adds nearly an hour of non-driving time at each stop. While your driver heaves hundred-pound tarps balancing precariously on a flatbed load, the curtain side driver at another dock straps down the load pulls the curtain shut and makes good time reaching the next pickup or delivery. Buying a curtain side trailer or curtain van relegates tarping to the museum of trucking history and facilitates fast handling of flatbed-style freight. Even where tarping isnt required, the enhanced access of a curtainsider can turn loading and unloading standard freight into a time-saving, streamlined operation, permitting simultaneous access from the dock through the rear door and by ground-level forklifts attacking from both sides. A team can load or offload palletized freight from a curtainsider at warp speed compared to single door access. Time is money and buying a curtainsider (or fleet of curtainsiders) makes the most effective use of both.
Efficiency also relies on the most use of trucks while theyre rolling down the road. Deadheading an empty trailer all the way home after a long route is fuel money wasted for every mile on the return trip. It's also a sign of missed profit opportunities you had to pass up earlier along the way. Buying curtain side trailers makes those options doable because your drivers have access to the entire trailer at all times. Pulling back the retractable curtain makes all shipments reachable front-to-back, back-to-front and from either side, allowing the driver to add backhauls to the trailer without obstructing access to shipments pending delivery. Another example of on-road efficiency is hauling multiple partial loads on a single trailer. Sending a trailer out with empty space that could be filled by a partial load is another example of a less-than-optimum use of rolling assets. No worries about laying hands on multiple partial loads in a curtain side trailer. Shipments up at the front of the trailer will be just as readily reachable all along the route as the loads back by the rear doors.
Paying the upkeep and insurance on equipment that doesnt pay you back is not a strategy for efficiency. Buying curtain side trailers that can switch-hit between open flatbed-style loads to enclosed van cargoand back again in momentsenhances your bottom line. It also enables you to serve a more diverse market, plus allows you to reduce the overall size of your fleet by consolidating multiple flatbeds and vans into a fewer number of curtainside trailers. This reduces maintenance and insurance costs, as well as opening up more space in your yard.
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Optimizing fleet efficiency means acquiring more efficient trailers as well as making more efficient use of existing trailers. Buying curtainside trailers can be one strategy that addresses both issues. Fine-tuning the fleet mix to meet the freight demands of any given daynot to mention the unforeseeable futurerequires flexibility and getting maximum use out of what youve got already. If your fleet includes too many flatbeds simply taking up space on the lot waiting for a rare oversized load, or a conventional van trailer that sometimes sits idle because shipments require side-loading, youre not operating at maximum efficiency.
Purchasing the right flatbed trailer for your business can enhance productivity, reduce lengthy pickup and delivery times, increase safety, and make it easier for your drivers to handle their loads.
Follow along in this trailer buying guide as we explain what a flatbed trailer is used for and why you should buy one (or a bunch) for your fleet.
To determine if you should buy a flatbed trailer, you need to know what its used for.
Flatbed trailers are the workhorses of the trucking industry. They are designed to haul cargo that cannot be loaded onto a standard trailer like a semi-trailer.
Theyre used to haul a wide range of cargo and come in handy for many situations, like shipping heavy machinery or transporting irregular equipment. They can often handle oversized loads too.
Flatbed trailers dont have side walls or a roof and are often lower to the ground. This makes loading items onto the trailer easier for an efficient delivery.
A curtain side trailer combines a dry van and a flatbed trailer. It is loaded like a flatbed but is protected by an enclosed frame like a dry van.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of curtain side van trailer. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
A curtain side trailer can tow anything from pipes to steel and iron. When enclosed, the trailer allows you to move things like fruits and vegetables as well.
If youre deciding between a dry van and a flatbed trailer, consider whether you need covered protection for the cargo. If so, buying a trailer with a curtain side is a reasonable option.
Flatbed trailers are one of the most popular vehicles in the trucking industry, and there are many different types to choose from. The common types of flatbeds include:
Aluminum flatbed trailers are often the lightest option, as they are lighter than steel or composite trailers. They are made entirely of aluminum, from the beam and side rails to the flooring.
These trailers are more expensive than composite and steel trailers but have a higher market value. Aluminum flatbed trailers are designed with an arch (camber) that allows the beam to level as weight is added since they bend more easily than steel.
Composite flatbeds cost less than aluminum trailers and slightly more than steel trailers due to the materials used for their structure: a steel beam, an aluminum floor, and aluminum side rails.
This combination of aluminums weight makes the trailer lighter, but the strength of the steel beam is a strong foundation.
Steel flatbeds are made entirely of steel, from the beam and side rails to the suspension hangers, which makes them heavier than aluminum trailers.
They are a lower upfront cost investment, but their resale value is also lower. Its a trailer made for the long haul and makes an excellent work trailer.
Flatbed models are available at different price points. Before you buy a flatbed trailer, you should examine your budget. Look at what you want to spend and how much you can afford. You can find a flatbed that fits your budget and your needs.
Your tow vehicle significantly impacts the flatbed trailers you can select.
Start with reviewing the towing vehicles towing capacity. Remember that this covers both the weight of the flatbed trailer and any contents.
Avoid purchasing a flatbed trailer that is oversized for your needs. A heavy trailer will limit the cargo capacity that a tow vehicle can move per haul.
The average weight allowance for most flatbed trailers is around 48,000 lbs for trucks with trailer lengths ranging from 48 to 53 feet. This might vary depending on the flatbed trailer dimensions, like the number of axles in the truck.
The type of cargo you can carry also depends on the flatbed configuration. For example, spread axle flatbed trailers (like the one pictured below) can carry more concentrated weight. Their closed tandem axle counterparts typically need to have the weight more evenly distributed to haul well.
Knowing this information before buying a flatbed trailer will help determine how much you can haul in a single trip. Youll also see what you need to secure your load to ensure maximum cargo protection.
Flatbed trailers are available in various sizes and hauling capacities, allowing you to transport materials of all sizes and weights.
Weve highlighted three reasons why buying a flatbed trailer might benefit your fleet:
Renting a flatbed trailer has its benefits for starters, its cheaper than buying a trailer.
You wont have to worry about maintenance costs or a decrease in value. The flatbeds owner will take care of those things. Renting is the perfect way to ease into ownership if you just want to try out a flatbed before buying a trailer.
Just make sure that when youre renting, you have a plan for scheduling your deliveries ahead of time. If you want to use the same trailer repeatedly, youll have to pay each time because it belongs to someone else. Sometimes, rental companies only allow short-term rentals (e.g., six months), limiting your ability to plan and get precisely what you need.
If renting sounds like the right option for your company, check out our tips for renting a trailer.
If youve ever noticed bowing in a flatbed trailer, especially one thats empty or lightly loaded, you are looking at an aluminum trailer. They are lighter and less rigid in steel, resulting in much more flex. Aluminum trailers are intentionally built with a camber (convex arch), allowing flexing. They flatten out as load is added.
To get into flatbed shipping, youll need to know how much of an investment to make when buying a trailer. Several factors determine the cost of a flatbed trailer.
The first thing to consider is whether you want to buy a new or used flatbed trailer. Buying used equipment may be a more budget-friendly option. Buying a used flatbed trailer can save on upfront costs when youre first getting into flatbed shipping.
Hale Trailer can help you find the perfect flatbed to transport your products, ensuring everything arrives on time. Our experts are the answer if you need a reliable partner to transfer heavy or oversized items.
Our trailers are ready for the long haul, whether youre looking to rent or buy one of our used flatbed trailers. Browse our line-up online or at one of thetrailer rental locationsto learn more about how we can work for you.
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