Knowing your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity is critical when choosing a model that works best for all your hauling needs in Carrollton, TX. It will also help you determine what you can haul with your vehicle.
You should always keep in mind the listed towing capacity for your vehicle since it can be dangerous to exceed the limit.
A flatbed truck
The flatbed truck is, without a doubt, the undisputed champion when it comes to fleet operations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. These trucks are an invaluable asset to many professionals since they are excellent for oversized items and large cargo that a standard ship container won’t carry.
Featuring an open and flat design, a flatbed truck can help you transport almost anything you can think of by securing it to the platform. When it comes to towing, there are two types of trailers that are primarily used.
It’s often either an open flatbed trailer or an enclosed trailer. While an enclosed trailer can be used to transfer cargo that needs some protection, like livestock, a flatbed trailer should be your ideal choice for transporting objects that may come in unconventional shapes.
Benefits of a flatbed truck
Shipping cargo using a flatbed truck gives you the freedom you need to ship anything you want. The simplicity of this truck makes it both versatile and valuable.
You can place anything from oddly shaped cargo, two oversized items; once secured and strapped to the truck, you are good to go.
Given below are three benefits of using a flatbed truck:
1) No spatial constrictions
Your cargo does not have any spatial constrictions that it would in a four-walled truck when using a flatbed.
A flatbed truck allows the shipment to hang over the edges with appropriate restrictions and never discriminates by shape.
2) Easy access
When your cargo arrives at the destination, a flatbed truck gives you access from all angles.
If you wish to access your cargo from the side, use a ramp from the rear, or use a crane from overhead, a flatbed truck gives you an option to make your own choice.
3) Ability to strap down cargo
It is not easy to secure items in place when using a four-walled truck. However, a flatbed truck gives you an option to strap your cargo down to the bed securely and assures you that everything is safe and secure.
How can you determine the maximum towing capacity for your vehicle?
It is easy to determine the maximum towing capacity of your vehicle. All you have to do is simply look for the vehicle’s manufacturer weight rating and see how it compares to your cargo’s weight.
You can find the manufacturer’s towing capacity on your driver side door jam, in the owner’s manual, or on the company’s website.
The maximum weight capacity for any flatbed truck can vary depending on several factors. But in general, you can expect the weight capacity to be somewhere around:
- A 24-foot, three-axle truck can give you a maximum load of 54,000 pounds.
- A 36-foot, four-axle truck can give you a maximum load of 66,000 pounds.
- A 51-foot, five-axle truck can give you a maximum load of 80,000 pounds.
- A 43-foot six-axle truck can give you a maximum load of 80,000 pounds.
Nevertheless, the ability to haul this weight depends on the engine, axle spacing, transfer case, and your vehicle’s health. For longer and heavier loads, a flatbed truck should be an ideal choice.
What’s the difference between towing capacity and payload capacity?
When a particular manufacturer puts out the payload capacity for a vehicle, they refer to the amount of weight that your truck can haul in total, including the cargo and passengers, as long as everything fixes in the bed or cab of your vehicle.
Unlike the towing capacity, a payload capacity provides no information on the amount of weight towed or pulled behind the truck.
Flatbed truck hauling
Professional drivers go for flatbed trucks for a particular and understandable reason – they are effortless to load. It gets really challenging to force a non-standard load onto an enclosed truck.
The job would get even more complicated if your cargo has any extra height or width.
With a flatbed truck, you can say goodbye to all such problems and can easily accommodate awkward and larger loads without any hassle of managing or hooking up a trailer.
Moreover, if you’re someone who hauls loads irregularly, a flatbed truck will also save you money on licensing and storing a trailer that you may need infrequently.
Conclusion
When it comes to towing, you must always follow your vehicle’s capacity. Ignoring your vehicle’s rated capacity can damage your engine, transmission, tires, or even frame, resulting in extensive and expensive damage.
More importantly, not following your truck’s rated towing capacity can also lead to life threatening concerns when on the road.
Want some more information on Flatbed Tow Trucks? Get in touch with Chavez Towing today!
If you have any questions about towing or need a flatbed tow truck company in Carrollton, TX, then Chavez Towing is here to help.
We have several flatbed towing trucks along with a team of licensed and certified technicians who can help you transport your cargo from one place to another in no time.
With decades of experience under the belt, our professionals will surely get the job done with perfection.
Feel free to give us a call at (214) 731-7327, and our service reps will answer all your queries.