New goose neck

[DarrellB]

I'm in the market to buy a new goose neck trailer and I'm thinking of going with an aluminum trailer. Has anyone had expirence with and aluminum flatbed trailer? Did you like it? was it worth the extra money? what kind is it?



I'm thinking of going with a 20' with a 5" dovetail and stand up ramps with a 25K rating.



Thanks

Darrell

 

[pkennedy]

choice gooseneck

If you are a careful operator and don't haul abusive machinery or materials you will gain with a lighter trailer, down side is aluminum is very expensive to repair and modify. In the case of winter use they are more susceptable to stress cracking in the cold -10 to -40 salt or calcium chloride will attack anywhere steel accessories are attached, moisture is as much danger in these areas once exposed and won't look rusted but a milky white slime is present. Kieferbilt makes a 1000 series newly redesigned with 20' deck 5' beavertails and when folded up makes trailer 25' flatdeck, trailer is also available with one piece HD gooseneck if neck storage is not needed. Used mine for two years oilfield use with winch on front and live roll on back, frame survived on both ends. Trailers are built in Iowa and will show you plant when you go to pick it up- I like to see what I am buying know what I mean.

 

[drees1]

I see your logic. I had a tough time not buying the tandem duals 20 GVW and setteled on a 14. 5 GVW with 20 + 5 deck. I did not want to be over weight, and the tandem duals add a lot of weight. But Aluminum would make it lighter. One thing I would definitely recommend is the convertable tail, dove to flat. It is fast becomming the new standard, and I can see why. It gives a nice gentle slope with ramps and also gives you full flat deck when needed.



Doug Rees

 

[JJW_ND]

EBY make a very good flatbed Trailer!

We just replace four 16" flatbed goosenecks with all aluminum. The trailer I was most impressed with was made by EBY (http://www.mheby.com/Main.htm). Lot of commercial rigs run EBY.



Being govt. we had to bid and ended up with Alum-lite. Still very well made.



We went with 8K axles and 215/75R17. 5 16ply tires. Very stout trailers.



I had seen aluminum flat beds with all alumiunum goosenecks (ours are this way) and some with just a aluminum skin over a steel gooseneck.



We have 800 gallon tanks on ours and gross about 13000K when loaded with water. Have 100K on the four trailers over the last two years. No cracks or problems yet. We haul with a 5% salt water solution all the time. The reason we went to Aluminum in the first place.



jjw

ND

 

[Ray Torresdal]

gooseneck

When I priced a all aluminum trailer the price differential about knocked me over! I didn't think the weight savings came anywhere close to justifying the extra cost. If you want another option, check out H&H's low deck option. www.hhtrailer.com I bought a 20+5 beavertail from them, and am very well pleased with it. Well thought out design, and very competitively priced.



Ray

 

[redramnc]

At one point a few years ago I was coveting a FeatherLite all-aluminum 20' flat tag-along trailer. I do not know for sure but I think they make aluminum flats because I see an awful lot of gooseneck aluminum stock trailers with the Featherlite badges on them. I have their aluminum ramps set up for my old ugly steel gooseneck - if their trailers are anything like their ramps then they should be almost bulletproof.



I thought I had a bookmark for Featherlite but I couldn't find it.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Re: gooseneck

Originally posted by Ray Torresdal

When I priced a all aluminum trailer the price differential about knocked me over! I didn't think the weight savings came anywhere close to justifying the extra cost. If you want another option, check out H&H's low deck option. www.hhtrailer.com I bought a 20+5 beavertail from them, and am very well pleased with it. Well thought out design, and very competitively priced.



Ray

A friend just told me about H&H. I like the new low deck with tilt they have posted.

 

[maint.man]

Just my personal opinion , but I wouldn't want an aluminum trailer. I do alot of repair on trailer's (as well as other things) , and the steel is definitly alot more durable. Obviously if you use them enough they all break , but some of the stress cracks I've repaired have been pretty scary. However if ya do decide to buy one , really look a used one over . One that has been repaired is ok , just make sure that it was done right.

Happy Huntin' Brent