Benson 524 Aluminum Drop Deck
Today’s flatbed trailers, if properly spec’d, are more productive, require less maintenance, are safer and are built to last longer than ever before. They may look similar to their predecessors, but modern engineering 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 better wheel seals and bearings, lighter wheel-end components, redesigned wiring harnesses and LED lighting.
Smart 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 that come in contact with docks that scrape away paint, causing rust; hot-dipped galvanized understructures, landing gear bracing and front components that are impacted during coupling and uncoupling; 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.
BENSON
524 ALUMINUM DROP DECK
Length: 1/-in. multi-hollow core with 3 nailers
Crossmember: 47⁄8-in. deep C-channel on 16-in. centers
Length: 48 ft.
Width: 102 in.
Upper deck: 11 ft.
Lower deck: 37 ft.
Side rails: 6-in. with stake pockets, 24-in. O.C. and double pipe spools
Concentrated load capacity: 52,000 lb. in 4 ft.
Suspension/axles: Hendrickson Intraax AAL250 P-style bearings
Brakes: 161/2-by-7 in. with extended service lining, 4S/2M ABS
DOONAN
482 DB 14M
Floor: Apitong, aluminum with nailers
Crossmember: Steel with 14-in. centers
Rub rails: 5/16 in.
Side rails: 6-in. structural steel or 6-in. aluminum
Distributed load capacity: 90,000 lb. GVWR
Concentrated load capacity: 55,000 lb. in 10 ft.
Suspension: Hendrickson air ride
Brakes: Meritor Wabco
Tiedowns: Sliding winches, J hooks, recessed chain ties
Axles: Watson & Chalin, Hendrickson Intraax
EAST
ALUMINUM BST
Floor: Knurled, 3-nailers, integrated outside rail
Crossmember: 22 in. with coil package
Distributed load capacity: 90,000 lb. GVW
Concentrated load capacity: 55,000 lb. in 10 ft.
Suspension: AAT23K/E2-1
Brakes: 161/2-by-7 in., automatic slack adjusters, 4S-2M ABS
Tiedowns: Integrated winch track on both sides
Axles: TQ, 121-in. spacing, 30 in. axle-to-rear
FONTAINE
VELOCITY STEEL DROPDECK
Floor: 1.125-in. wood, continuous floor
Crossmember: 18-in. centers front deck, 12-in. centers rear deck, 4-in. junior I-steel
Rub rails: 2.5-in. rolled formed steel
Side rails: 6-in. structural channel at 6.5 lb. per ft., full length on rear deck
Distributed load capacity: 80,000 lb. GVW
Concentrated load capacity: 52,000 lb. in 5 ft.
Suspension: Hendrickson AANL23K Intraax
Brakes: 16-by-7-in. fast change, cast drums, spring brakes, automatic slack adjusters, Meritor Wabco 4S/2M ABS
Axles: Hendrickson Intraax (part of “buttoned-up” suspension package from Hendrickson)
INFINITY SX COMPOSITE FLATBED
Floor: 1.125-in. aluminum with four wood nailer strips
Crossmember: 12-in. centers, 4-in. junior I-steel
Rub rails: 3-in. extruded aluminum
Side rails: 5.75-in. extruded aluminum
Distributed load capacity: 80,000 lb. GVW
Concentrated load capacity: 59,000 lb. in 5 ft.
Suspension: Hendrickson AANL23K Intraax
Brakes: 16-by-7-in. fast change, cast drums, spring brakes, automatic slack adjusters, Meritor Wabco 4S/2M ABS
Tiedowns: Full-length winch track, integrated aluminum on roadside, 12 sliding winches without straps
Axles: Hendrickson Intraax (part of “buttoned-up” suspension package from Hendrickson)
PHANTOM ALUMINUM FLATBED
Floor: Aluminum with three wood nailer strips
Crossmember: Aluminum on 22-in. centers
Rub rails: Extruded aluminum, full length each side
Side rails: Extruded aluminum
Distributed load capacity: 80,000 lb. GVW
Concentrated load capacity: 68,000 lb. in 4 ft.
Suspension: Hendrickson AANL23K Intraax
Brakes: 16-by-7-in. fast change, cast drums, spring brakes, automatic slack adjusters, Meritor Wabco 4S/2M ABS
Tiedowns: 15 pair, recessed in side rails
Axles: Hendrickson Intraax (part of “buttoned-up” suspension package from Hendrickson)
GREAT DANE
FREEDOM FLATBED
Floor: 1.25-in. aluminum with four apitong nailers
Crossmember: 4-in. steel on 16-in. centers, with four between main beams in coil area
Rub rails: 0.38-by-3-in. extruded aluminum with double-pipe spools and reflective tape recess
Side rails: Extruded aluminum, 6-in. depth
Distributed load capacity: 90,000 GVW
Concentrated load capacity: 55,000 lb. in 10 ft.
Suspension: Hendrickson AANT-230 fixed air ride
Brakes: 16-by-7-in. drums with S-cam brakes, Haldex automatic slack adjusters, Wabco 2S/1M ABS, MGM brake chambers, Sealco valves, Stemco Guardian wheel seals
Tiedowns: 10 winches on full-length roadside track, 12 pairs of chain ties, pull-up ties evenly spaced, recessed in outside nailing strip
Axles: Hendrickson tapered spindle with 121-in. spacing
MAC
ALUMINUM FLATBED
Floor: Aluminum, apitong nailers, additional options available
Crossmember: Determined by application
Distributed load capacity: Determined by application
Concentrated load capacity: Determined by application
Suspension: Hendrickson Intraax AA-250; optional, Intraax AA-300
Brakes: Centrifuse with aluminum hubs, cast iron with aluminum hubs (cast steel optional)
Tiedowns: Hollow rail with winch track; optional, double tie-down track, tiedowns in pairs
Axles: 49 in., 60 in., 72 in., 109 in., 122 in. between axles (optional)
DROPDECK PLATFORM
Crossmember: 16-in. centers, determined by application
Concentrated load capacity: 60,000 lb. GVW in 4 ft.
Suspension: Hendrickson Intraax AA-250
Brakes: Centrifuse with aluminum hubs
Tiedowns: Sliding tie-down with winch track
Axles: 122 in. between axles
TRANSCRAFT
DTL-2100 BEAVERTAIL
Floor: 1.25-in. aluminum with four apitong nailers
Crossmember: 4-in. steel on 16-in. centers, with four between main beams in coil area
Rub rails: 0.38-by-3-in. extruded aluminum with double-pipe spools and reflective tape recess
Side rails: Extruded aluminum, 6-in. depth
Distributed load capacity: 90,000 GVW
Concentrated load capacity: 55,000 lb. in 10 ft.
Suspension: Hendrickson AANT-230 fixed air ride
Brakes: 16-by-7-in. drums with S-cam brakes, Haldex automatic slack adjusters, Wabco 2S/1M ABS, MGM brake chambers, Sealco valves, Stemco Guardian wheel seals
Tiedowns: 10 winches on full-length roadside track, 12 pairs of chain ties, pull-up ties evenly spaced, recessed in outside nailing strip
Axles: Hendrickson tapered spindle with 121-in. spacing
EAGLE
Floor: 1.125-in. interlocking aluminum with four apitong nailers
Crossmember: 5-in. aluminum, 12-in. spacing
Rub rails: 0.375-by-3 in., with recess for reflective tape
Side rails: 6.5-in. aluminum
Distributed load capacity: 80,000 lb. GVW
Concentrated load capacity: 70,000 lb. in 10 ft.
Suspension: Hendrickson Intraax, air ride with Quick-Align, 23,000 lb. suspension capacity
Brakes: Abex 30/30, 16-by-7-in. extended service brakes
Tiedowns: 15 pair, recessed chain ties next to side rail, sliding winch track with winch strap tie bar
Axles: Hendrickson integral axle
D-Eagle
Floor: 1.125-in. interlocking aluminum floor with four apitong nailers
Crossmember: 5-in. aluminum on lower deck, 4-in. steel junior I-beams on upper deck
Rub rails: 0.375-by-3 in., with recess for reflective tape
Side rails: 6.5-in. aluminum
Distributed load capacity: 80,000 lb. GVW
Concentrated load capacity: 60,000 lb. in 10 ft.
Suspension: Hendrickson Intraax 230L Zero Maintenance, 23,000 lb. suspension capacity with Quick-Align, Hendrickson Tiremaax tire pressure system
Brakes: Extended service lining, 16-by-7 in.
Tiedowns: 15 pair, recessed chain ties next to side rail, sliding winch track with 12 sliding winches and winch strap tie bar
Axles: 5-in. round integral axle
UTILITY
Flatbed 400A
Floor: 1.125-in. extruded aluminum with four hardwood nail strips
Crossmember: 3-in. steel I-beam on 16-in. centerline
Rub rails: 3/8-by-3 in. welded in place, 24-in. center lines, extruded aluminum on sides and rear only, alternates with pipe spools with 6,500 lb. load rating
Side rails: 5 3/8-in. deep extruded aluminum outside-type side pockets and pipe spools
Distributed load capacity: 80,000 lb. GVW evenly distributed
Concentrated load capacity: 48-ft. wheelbase, 50,000 lb. over 10 ft.; single coil wheelbase, 47.000 lb. (contoured main beam assemblies for proper weight distribution on axle assemblies)
Suspension: Hendrickson AANT 23,000 lb. with 121-in. spacing
Brakes: Outboard-mounted cast-iron drums, 16-by-7-in. brakes (Abex 931-162 or Carlisle MB21), 2S-1M (Haldex ABS) anti-lock brake system
Tiedowns: Integral cinch track roadside and curbside for sliding cinches
Axles: Hendrickson LDA, N-spindle, Stemco Platinum Performance 5-year wheel-end system
