Flatbed VS stepdeck

[Bandit102]

Ok Rank, gotcha. Went back and found it. Reckon I was suffering from "H.U.A." that day.

Good taste in trailers, Man. I waited nearly 2 years before I came across my Wilson. Got a hell of a deal on it too!!!

[GMAN]

By the way, you don't really need a dump valve if you have a lift axle. Most people have one or the other.

Gman are you sure you can't use both and dump and lift on the same trailer?
Say your driving empty you can use the front lift axle to save tires and tolls.

If your carrying a load and your backing up you can dump the air on the rear axle to make backing easier is this possible?

Also i was wondering how can you properly check out an aluminum trailer properly for cracks or damage that you can't see?

thanks in advance
You've been a big help

I don't know of any reason why you can't have both a dump valve and lift axle if that is what you want. You could have two lift axles if you don't mind the extra weight. You can also have a dump valve on each axle. Most will have either a dump valve or lift axle on a single axle. The choice is yours.

As far as checking out an aluminum trailer for damage, most damage should be obvious with careful inspection.

[rank]

Ok Rank, gotcha. Went back and found it. Reckon I was suffering from "H.U.A." that day.

Good taste in trailers, Man. I waited nearly 2 years before I came across my Wilson. Got a hell of a deal on it too!!!

Yeah, it's freaking light, man. HATE the sliding winches though. They don't slide in the winter and the dogs don't catch the teeth very well.

[Bandit102]

That's the one thing mine doesn't have. Had to go buy a bunch of the ones that bolt on, constantly moving them is a pain. Finally broke down and spent $20 on the 18mm ratchet wrench. Makes it a little better.

[GMAN]

If you don't want to continually loosen and tighten the bolts, you could just permanently snug them down and then use a bungee to secure them. The straps will hold them in place. By using a bungee around each one it will keep the winch in one spot. Just make sure to tighten it down good before using the bungee.

[Bandit102]

Thanks, GMan I'll try that!

[rank]

We have a Lode King that doesn't have sliders. Instead it has bolt on winches on both sides, staggered so you you really don't need sliders. I didn't explain that very well. Anyway, you probably know what I'm talking about anyway.

[Bigmon]

What do you guys think about having a beavertail? Can you put freight on it or is it just to be used as a ramp?

[GMAN]

I assume that you are talking about the add on beavertails that can be put on the rear of a stepdeck? If so, I don't think they are designed to have much weight on them. I have seen a couple of them with hay stacked on top. Those had the ramps that would fold up to create a flat surface on the rear of the trailer.

[rank]

yeah those ones that the ramps fold up to create a flat surface are the only ones I'd consider. I don't know how much weight they will take.

Alot of times you can get by without the beaver tail or even ramps. 3 or 4 times that I can recall, I've moved loads that were posted as RGN on my step...no ramps...no beaver tail. I used some of that high dollar RGN money and called in a landoll at P/U and delivery. Costs about $100 - $150 and you only need to do that once or twice a year. The rest of the time you have a regular step deck.

[GMAN]

I have also used a Landoll or rollback to put a vehicle or equipment on my step deck. One of these days I may break down and buy a set of ramps.