50 Hidden Things To Check Before Buying Used Flatbed Trailer

In this article I would like to focus my attention to write about the equipment. This part of trucking business and especially in flatbed trailers can increase you productivity, shorten pick up and delivery times, increase safety and make your drivers easy to handle the loads.

Source: www.fontainetrailer.com

For that reason we created a list of the thing you should take a closer look when buying a flatbed trailer and avoid some expensive situations in the future.

1. Check the conditions of trailer tires
2. Check to see is it extended or fix flatbed trailer
3. See the maximum load weight allowance
4. Material determines the prices so see is it aluminum or steel
5. Trailer brand might be important – please check the best brand for your company
6. Check if all the tires are replaced at the same time
7. Visually inspect to see are all tires the same brand
8. See what is the status of wheels – are they too rusty?
9. Are all back lights working properly?
10. Are the lights all the same manufacturing year
11. Try to see if the trailer was a part of traffic accident
12. Check the actual year of production
13. Check the papers to see do they match the actual trailer
14. See if the back lights are not damaged
15. Check to see if there is water inside cab lights
16. Take a detail look of the back lights if they are in LED technique
17. Check the condition of flatbed straps
18. Check to see if the trailer is equipped with winch straps
19. Determine if the trailer has a ratchet straps
20. Are the chains for fixing loads on board?
21. Is flatbed trailer equipped with trailer tarp?
22. Ask to see if they can provide you with trailer corners
23. Check will you get the safety flags with flatbed trailer
24. Trailer winches are important – see will you get them for free?
25. Tire chains are important during winter – get the before starts snowing
26. Get Bungee Cord to help you fix your load
27. Rubber rope is really helpful in dealing with non-standardized loads
28. Rubber tarp is some way easier to use compared to rubber rope.
29. Headache rack can be really helpful in case os hard braking – get it to increase safety.
30. Get back fenders and protect the load from dust and dirt
31. Oversize load signs are mandatory when carried huge loads – get them in advance
32. Safety flag magnet can save you a hundred backs if you get it with trailer instead of buying
33. Oversize vinyl load signs are mandatory too so get them to avoid penalty
34. Increase safety and get wide right turn flatbed trailer signs
35. Cargo net is something that is mandatory so get in advance and increase safety
36. Pull straps are crucial in most times – buy them and increase efficiency
37. Choose the tarp that suits you best – lumber or steel?
38. Which tarp color (blue, red, black) you choose depends of the loads you drive
39. Have a rope inside of the cabin – you never know when you might need it
40. Purchase orange led beacon lights to increase visibility
41. Put led warning lights all over trailer
42. Use E-Truck cargo system to secure the load
43. Have cargo webbing in case you need it to secure loads
44. If loading some special loads – truck loading net could be a great protection
45. Get orange traffic cones to secure the delivery and pick up spot
46. Buy and Always wear orange safety vest
47. Always wear protective hat or helmet
48. If you think of carrying cars get car carrier fixing rubber
49. Get few buckles extra – always good piece of equipment to have
50. Tool box might be a good idea since in most cases you need some tools to fix load

I know that by now there is some things you already forget but believe despite this list may seem huge at this very moment after just reading it – it is important to pay attention to all those details that can change and improve flatbed trailer operations.

What is the cost of flatbed trailer equipment?

Considering that in trucking business nothing is cheap and that this is a kind of business requires a lot of money to run flatbed trailer additional equipment is not expensive. What I mean that is not expensive is that for around $2.000 you can get most of the items from that list and equip your trailer to be ready for any distance load.