Learn me: Flatbed Trailers

Figured you guys might have some knowledge on trailers. I need to find a flat bed trailer for work, and don't even know where to start looking. The pickup pulling the trailer is a 2001 Ford F350 DRW with the V10, I'm not 100% what the GVWR is though. The payload is a 9,000 pound combine, that's 21 ft long. The trailer has to be a goose neck as well.

Currently the trailer that we have is 20 years old with two single wheel axles. On sharp turns you can see the axles bending, it's right at it's max weight rating.

So are there any good trailer brands to look out for? Any Trailer amenities that are worth the cost?

Thanks!

I pulled a 11,000 pound backhoe behind my Dodge for years on a 14,000 pound bumper pull. Trailer weighed around 2800 pounds. It pulled really well, and more important stopped well. My suggestion would be to get the heaviest trailer you can legally use in the 14k range, as it will have more steel in it and be less flexy loaded which means better handling. Also get one with a sealed wiring harness. Most of them are not so you are dealing with electrical issues all the time.

Unless you're going nuts with heavy equipment, a good 10k trailer (double 5200# axles) is fine with me. I have an 18' that will do darn near anything I want.

Personal preference, but I really hate beavertail style trailers. That last 4-6' of beavertail is kinda useless for freight, and I don't like the idea of a car or tractor being "uphill". It just adds more weight to the chains. I much prefer a true flatbed and I just make sure the ramps are long enough to make loading angle acceptable for low rides.

I also prefer low decks since most of my transport is cars and tractors. They are OK for freight, but the wheel fenders make forklifts inconvenient. The other option is deck-over which gives a wider (and flat) deck at the expense of being higher and less convenient for vehicles. If you're doing more cargo, go deckover. If you're doing wheeled things, don't do deckover.

I prefer steel frame. I don't mind the extra weight and they're generally stronger - not to mention WAY cheaper. When I bolt a winch or a tie-down to a steel trailer frame, I don't wonder if it will rip out. Plus, future repairs don't require special aluminum welding knowledge.

I don't fuss about brands. Its a big steel frame. Kinda hard to mess up. I look at construction, options, tie downs, etc. Big Tex makes a very nice trailer, but the well-known brand sometimes commands a higher price. Landoll is kinda the gold standard for equipment gooseneck trailers. They are built way overkill. I wouldn't hesitate to buy an old rusty beat Landoll with a zillion miles on it.

Do a local googles for trailer manufacturers. You'll probably find a lot, and without the nationwide brand and distribution they are usually cheaper bang for buck. I have a Bri-mar car hauler that was made just down the road about a half hour.

As far as amenities, I don't worry too much about those either. Some of the optional tie-down add ons are really nice, but its rare that they match up exactly with my cargo. I do like stake pockets and the channels for these ratcheting tie down winches like big trucks have.

take a peek at this site www.govdeals.com
look under the trailers section - you never know what you might find police impounds/acquisitions via online auction they have some pretty interesting classic cars always rolling in and out sweet PPV's and other cars if you need a quick vehicle

I've never bought anything from here...yet

Thanks for the input guys. I was looking at some trailer dealers around me and it might be best just to give one of them a call about it.