about 20 years ago... my family lived in front of a semi repair shop so trucks were going in and out all the time. One day a flat bed while slowing down for the service center, snapped in half and caused a huge accident. Lots of people died. My moms is a nurse and had to run out there to try save some lives. There was crap everywhere. A huge rv was exploded all over the road and about 3 other cars. I'm glad they redesigned these over the years.
I Absolutely hate that style of side rails! Unfortunately it seems to be popular lately for some reason. There are too many hard edges and I can’t tell you how many tarp straps “ bunnies” I’ve broken because of this style of side rails, and it’s really hard on the straps too... if you need to chain something down the chain eats into the hard edges of the rail/ stake pockets. Unfortunately the trailers that have chains in the floor never have enough chains to be useful so adding chains to compensate for not being able to use the side rails (spools, on the old style trailers ) is a joke. Why don’t they ask for opinions of the people who actually use these trailers every day if they want to make them better
@Stevester, The tie-downs slide side to side to work in any position, not front to rear. I'm sure they have thought of something for loads that cover the deck. I do like this because you can put chains over top of suicide coils. My only concern with these tie-downs is when a driver hooks the binder close to the plate and levers the hook off the plate. That will stretch the link on the tie-down chain and weaken it. But I suppose you could do that with any tie-down.
For the sake of completeness I wanted to add that this kind of bend (in this direction) does NOT increase the load carrying capacity due to strain hardening of the materials because the load is applied opposite to the bend.
After much search online (such as eng-tips.com forum) and discussion in-class (advanced mechanics of materials) we all came to the conclusion that it may be for 2 reasons: 1st and most important is looks. No one likes their flatbed to be 'saggin' and 2nd, for load distribution to be sort of even among the wheels (say on a semi with 2 or more axles). However this 2nd reason is iffy because even load distribution only happens at a specific load that makes the bed perfectly flat. Thanks 2 everyone!
What does Canadian Department of transportation say about the slide chain tiedowns -I know of a few Coop`s that if you don`t have 2 boomers per side you are not moving on plus has to be a side rail loop hook .
@mabonvin3 actually it's because they have to get it a bend becuase if the trailer was just straight and you put a heavy load on it, it would break. Do you understand what I'm saying?
Wrong all Fontaine trailers are like that especially the 53 ft their beefed up in the middle their it turned into a normal flatbed once you get loaded that's why they're more of a nicer trailer and they last longer I call them The Cadillacs of the flatbed
I wonder what the WLL rating is for the 'pockets', and the correct hook configuration is for it. Or are you restricted to those damned sliders? RPHELPS922 makes a good point about icing, and I'd be concerned about damage, and their WLL rating as well.
RichardRoy2 I was looking at one parked next to me. It looked like the WLL for any attachment to the rub rail was universally 5600 you can use chains on the rub rail too. They didn't show you how to do it though
It's all aluminum, I think you can add nailers just inside the side rails, but not totally sure. My boss is looking at getting some of these, verrrry light, under 8k I heard.
not sure I like the chain tie downs for the fact they slide. doesn't seem stable to me and some loads cover the whole deck. how you gonna chain it then if chains are needed? well we figure it out I guess. damn thats a real sturdy lookin rubrail. looks alot harder to damage than the fragile crap im using now.
The deck sliders are just like the sliding winches under the rub rail, they slide when there is no pressure (strap/chain) pulling on them. But once you tighten the chain or strap they do not move side to side at all.
Aluminum will never be as strong as steel...bottom line anytime you make anything light weight its weaker....all the talk about light weight bla bla bla I have yet seen a bridge made from aluminum....it's just a matter of time before that sliding tie down for the chain gets ripped out the groves
Great design! We are always looking for innovative new ways to better our trailers.
about 20 years ago... my family lived in front of a semi repair shop so trucks were going in and out all the time. One day a flat bed while slowing down for the service center, snapped in half and caused a huge accident. Lots of people died. My moms is a nurse and had to run out there to try save some lives. There was crap everywhere. A huge rv was exploded all over the road and about 3 other cars. I'm glad they redesigned these over the years.
The routed hole edges are left sharp enough to cut the straps.
The chain sliders could be a pain in the winter when ice forms in railbeds... not so easy to slide
I Absolutely hate that style of side rails! Unfortunately it seems to be popular lately for some reason. There are too many hard edges and I can’t tell you how many tarp straps “ bunnies” I’ve broken because of this style of side rails, and it’s really hard on the straps too... if you need to chain something down the chain eats into the hard edges of the rail/ stake pockets. Unfortunately the trailers that have chains in the floor never have enough chains to be useful so adding chains to compensate for not being able to use the side rails (spools, on the old style trailers ) is a joke. Why don’t they ask for opinions of the people who actually use these trailers every day if they want to make them better
If I were stuck with that style rub rail, maybe get some rubber vacuum line and protect the edges from chafing my straps.
@Stevester, The tie-downs slide side to side to work in any position, not front to rear. I'm sure they have thought of something for loads that cover the deck. I do like this because you can put chains over top of suicide coils.
My only concern with these tie-downs is when a driver hooks the binder close to the plate and levers the hook off the plate. That will stretch the link on the tie-down chain and weaken it.
But I suppose you could do that with any tie-down.
How the hell are you going to slide the chain tie downs in the winter or a dirty deck?
Grant Joseph oh idk maybe keep your nice trailer clean? Power wash the deck? Just an idea
For the sake of completeness I wanted to add that this kind of bend (in this direction) does NOT increase the load carrying capacity due to strain hardening of the materials because the load is applied opposite to the bend.
nice trailer
An arch will hold more weight than a flat stretch. The Romans knew this long ago.
After much search online (such as eng-tips.com forum) and discussion in-class (advanced mechanics of materials) we all came to the conclusion that it may be for 2 reasons: 1st and most important is looks. No one likes their flatbed to be 'saggin' and 2nd, for load distribution to be sort of even among the wheels (say on a semi with 2 or more axles). However this 2nd reason is iffy because even load distribution only happens at a specific load that makes the bed perfectly flat. Thanks 2 everyone!
why do flatbeds have a slight bend upwards in the middle?
Nothing but a Fontain the best flatbed to ever roll on the road then nest is the great Dane in that order
What does Canadian Department of transportation say about the slide chain tiedowns -I know of a few Coop`s that if you don`t have 2 boomers per side you are not moving on plus has to be a side rail loop hook .
Awesome trailer
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@mabonvin3 actually it's because they have to get it a bend becuase if the trailer was just straight and you put a heavy load on it, it would break. Do you understand what I'm saying?
Wrong all Fontaine trailers are like that especially the 53 ft their beefed up in the middle their it turned into a normal flatbed once you get loaded that's why they're more of a nicer trailer and they last longer I call them The Cadillacs of the flatbed
I wonder what the WLL rating is for the 'pockets', and the correct hook configuration is for it. Or are you restricted to those damned sliders? RPHELPS922 makes a good point about icing, and I'd be concerned about damage, and their WLL rating as well.
RichardRoy2 I was looking at one parked next to me. It looked like the WLL for any attachment to the rub rail was universally 5600 you can use chains on the rub rail too. They didn't show you how to do it though
It's all aluminum, I think you can add nailers just inside the side rails, but not totally sure. My boss is looking at getting some of these, verrrry light, under 8k I heard.
thats and the rails getting damamge from load after load.
does anybody knows A company that makes flatbed that has individually( separately) sliding tandems ? I know there're a couple for sure
I've seen them and always pulled by Canadian drivers. Check with Canadian Trailer manufactures like Manac and Lode-King.
Preet Singh try Dorsey trailers
not sure I like the chain tie downs for the fact they slide. doesn't seem stable to me and some loads cover the whole deck. how you gonna chain it then if chains are needed? well we figure it out I guess. damn thats a real sturdy lookin rubrail. looks alot harder to damage than the fragile crap im using now.
The deck sliders are just like the sliding winches under the rub rail, they slide when there is no pressure (strap/chain) pulling on them. But once you tighten the chain or strap they do not move side to side at all.
Stay away those trailers they crack at frame specially combos
Aluminum will never be as strong as steel...bottom line anytime you make anything light weight its weaker....all the talk about light weight bla bla bla I have yet seen a bridge made from aluminum....it's just a matter of time before that sliding tie down for the chain gets ripped out the groves