Whether you plan to purchase a stock flatbed truck or create a custom-made truck, you need to learn about all of your truck design options. Even if you have been driving a flatbed truck for years, you may not realize that there are numerous flatbed truck design options that can help make your job as a truck driver easier.
Read on to learn about just a few of the flatbed truck options you have so you can choose a truck design that is perfect for you and your hauling needs.
Trailer Height
Stock trailers come in three main styles that all differ in height: standard, drop deck, and double drop deck trailers.
A standard flatbed trailer deck lies about 58 to 62 inches
from the ground, while a drop deck sits just 38 to 42 inches from the ground. A double drop deck trailer is similar in height to a single drop deck trailer around the edges, although this deck type has a well in the middle that lies even more closely to the ground. This dip allows you to haul materials that are over 10 feet in height.
When choosing the flatbed trailer height that will work best for you, take the height of the freight you haul into account and choose a deck height that will accommodate your tallest loads.
Trailer Sides
Many people may believe that flatbed trucks never have sides. While there are many flatbed trucks on the market with no trailer sides, some drivers find that driving flatbed trucks with trailer sides help them keep their loads more secure when driving.
While trailer side options are virtually limitless when designing your own flatbed truck, two popular side options are stake sides and folding side rails.
Stake sides are made up of many horizontal and vertical posts that are typically made from powder-coated steel, although they can produced with other materials. These sides come in a wide variety of heights and are often removable - so you can attach them to your flatbed deck when necessary, then remove them when they are no longer needed.
If you do not like the idea of performing the grunt work of installing and removing stake sides on a regular basis, then you may prefer folding side rails. When in their fully raised position, folding side rails help keep your load secure when on the road. However, when you're hauling a load that does not require this security, you can slide or fold these rails down into a position that is flush with the flatbed deck.
Loading Ramp or Liftgate
While you can choose a flatbed truck with no loading ramp or liftgate, both of these options can make loading cargo onto the truck deck much easier. And each loading feature option has its unique benefits.
Truck loading ramps are simple devices that require virtually no maintenance. These ramps are good options for drivers who typically load and transport many lightweight items. However, most loading ramps take up several feet of space behind the truck when in use, so keep this fact in mind when opting for this truck option.
Truck liftgates, on the other hand, are good options for drivers who typically load very heavy objects onto their trucks. When loading a truck with a liftgate, you simply lower the liftgate to the ground, place your heavy objects on it, then raise it to the height of your truck with the liftgate. A liftgate doesn't require as much clearance behind the truck during the loading process.
However, when adding a liftgate to your flatbed truck, keep in mind that these loading devices do require periodic maintenance to keep them functioning well.
If you plan to purchase a stock or custom-made flatbed truck, consider these three truck design options as you choose your new truck design to ensure it works well for you and your unique hauling needs. Contact Diamond Truck Body Mfg. Inc.
for all of your flatbed truck needs today.
