When purchasing a flatbed semi-trailer, several factors can affect the price, including the quality of the materials, the brand of the accessories, the size, and capacity of the trailer, as well as additional features and accessories. Understanding these factors can help you decide and negotiate the best price with your supplier. This comprehensive guide will break down each cost factor of a flatbed trailer in detail, making it easy for customers to compare prices and provide valuable advice for buyers.
Table of Contents
Factors Influencing The Price Of Flatbed Semi Trailers
Different Material
Manganese steel VS aluminum material: Manganese steel is common on flatbed trailers, and this steel is characterized by good wear resistance, good impact resistance, good compressive properties, and low procurement costs. However, there are some disadvantages, such as the high dead weight and high fuel consumption of flatbed trailers made of manganese steel. Aluminum alloy, as an emerging material, has been slowly used in flatbed trailers this year. Aluminum alloy trailer is suitable for various occasions of cargo transportation, its lightweight advantages can reduce the weight of the vehicle, enhance the vehicle capacity, and reduce the cost of fuel consumption at the same time. However, compared with manganese steel, a flatbed trailer made of aluminum is more expensive and the maintenance cost is also very high.
Effect of durability and weight: At this stage, aluminum alloy is suitable for light-duty flatbed trailers, with bending stiffness and strong load-carrying capacity, but it is not very suitable for bad road conditions. Compared with aluminum alloy, manganese plate has excellent ductility, which is suitable for real-time poor road conditions. For example, some heavy-duty flatbed trailers are made of manganese plates with relatively low chassis. When the manganese plate is subjected to relatively severe external forces, deformation will occur. However, the deformation will be restored as soon as the goods are unloaded. Aluminum alloys are lightweight and have an advantage over manganese steel in terms of fuel consumption.
Brand Reputation
Top brand trailer manufacturer:
CIMC trailer: Established in 2002, CIMC trailer provides quality vehicle equipment for global road transport and offers timely and professional full life cycle services.
TRUCKMAN trailer: a high-tech enterprise, integrating product development, manufacturing, sales, and after-sales service of specialized modified vehicles.
SHENGRUN Trailer: Started in 1982, SHENGRUN Trailer focuses on the design and manufacture of high-end, high-quality special-purpose tankers, and has obtained the automobile production license and the national hazardous goods packaging and container production license.
KOGEL trailer: one of the top three trailer manufacturers in Europe, has produced more than 500,000 vehicles since its establishment in 1934, always adhering to the quality standard of ‘Made in Germany’.
These brands have a long history and good market reputation in the field of semi-trailers, and their products are widely used in the transport industry around the world to meet the needs of different customers.
brand value: Flatbed trailers from semi-trailer manufacturers with well-known brands and good reputations tend to have a higher market value, as consumers are more likely to buy from a guaranteed brand. Brand image and positioning can also affect the price of a flatbed trailer, for example, vehicles from well-known brands may be more popular and therefore more expensive.
Flatbed Trailer Size and Loading Capacity
Standard size trailer: Most flatbed trailer size is 40FT, 45ft, etc, this type of flatbed trailer is used to transport all kinds of containers and bulk cargo. This standard-sized flatbed trailer has a relatively fixed purchase price that does not vary much due to its fixed steel dimensions and steel purchase price, as well as the accuracy of the prices for other accessories.
Customized size trailer: Semi-trailer length, width, and other dimensions will lead to the effective volume of the trailer box and the body weight will be different, because the trailer is the main processing material or steel, steel is to set the price by weight, weight is different, the price will be directly different. Secondly, if the same type, the same weight of the trailer, such as the choice of steel strength grade is different, the price will also have a big difference. According to the current market price, high strength material plate will be more expensive than ordinary steel $3000/tonne, 40FT container flatbed trailer, for example, its weight is about 7.5 tonnes, the material is different, and the whole vehicle cost down will be about 3,000 yuan difference, choose stainless steel material price difference will be even greater.
Additional Functions And Accessories
The flatbed trailer comes with add-ons and accessories that will also have an impact on the price. Features like automatic adjustable arms, disc brakes, air suspension, ABS antilock system, backup camera, etc. have a huge impact on the price. Take air suspension for example, although air suspension can improve the smoothness and comfort of the vehicle, the cost is much higher than normal suspension. Take the BPW axle trailer as an example, according to different configurations, three axles with air suspension will be about $5000 more expensive than steel plate suspension. there are also wheels installed with disc brakes, and the vehicle drives safer, but the cost increase is also significant, FUWA brand axle as an example, wheels with disc brakes have a standard cost increase of about $3,000.
Market Conditions And Demand
Economic factor: In times of economic prosperity, consumers’ purchasing power is strong, flatbed trailer demand increases, and prices rise; in times of economic depression, demand decreases and prices fall. In addition, government policies and regulations also have an important impact on the flatbed trailer market. For example, environmental standards may affect the distribution and price of flatbed trailers.
Seasonal factors: Semi-trailer prices are closely related to seasonal changes. The demand for flatbed trailers varies from season to season. Generally speaking, spring and summer are the peak seasons for flatbed trailer sales, while autumn and winter are the low seasons. Due to the high market demand, semi-trailer companies have limited production capacity in the peak season, so the price will rise accordingly. In the off-season, due to the relatively small market demand, the semi-trailer factories are relatively not busy, so the flatbed trailer cost will drop accordingly.
Maintenance and Warranty
Maintenance cost: The difference in semi-trailer maintenance costs is mainly determined by the following factors: different models, different years, different mileage, etc. will affect the maintenance costs. Different brands, different models of oil, and filter prices are different, which will also affect the cost of the second guarantee. Different areas of the maintenance market price will also be different, some areas of the maintenance market price are higher, and the maintenance cost will also increase accordingly.
Warranty time: Warranty time also affects flatbed trailers. Usually, flatbed trailer after-sales service time is 1 year or 100,000 kilometers, during this period of quality problems can contact the semi-trailer manufacturer for after-sales service. If you want to get a longer warranty, you may need to add extra money, thus the purchase price of a flatbed trailer will also increase.
Average Price Range For New And Used Flatbed Semi Trailers
New Model Flatbed Trailer
Price range: Take the CIMC trailer for example: The flatbed trailer main beam adopts manganese steel, height 500mm, upper 12mm thickness steel, lower 14mm thickness steel, and middle 6mm thickness steel. 3mm thickness loading platform, 13 tons FUWA brand axle, LINGLONG brand 12R22.5 tubeless tire. With 6 pcs big brake chamber and ABS brake system, JOST brand 50# towing pin. Complete set of LED lights. The average price at FOB CHINA PORT is $11,200.
Advantages of new flatbed trailer: The new flatbed trailer is in the best condition when it comes off the production line, all the spare parts are brand new, which is reassuring for the user and less costly to replace during the warranty period. Used cars have been through at least one owner’s use, and the wear and tear of vehicle spare parts according to the previous owner’s different uses, wear and tear are not the same, most of the used cars sold vehicles have been out of warranty, most of the parts are also close to the replacement period. Most used cars are sold when they are out of warranty, and most parts are close to replacement. The cost of maintenance and repairs is higher than that of a new flatbed trailer.
Used Flatbed Trailer
Price range: For used semi-trailers, it is difficult to price in one bite and needs to be determined based on a combination of factors such as its brand, manufacturer, mileage, usage, repairs, complete documentation or not, engine, exterior, accessories, interior, and so on. In general, TOP brand semi-trailers depreciate about 20% in the first year, while other brands depreciate about 30% in the first year.
Advantages and disadvantages of used flatbed trailer:The biggest advantage of a Used semi trailer is that it is cheap to purchase, but the disadvantages are also obvious because used semi-trailers have been in use for some time and may have issues with age, wear and tear, and maintenance. You may need to invest extra time and money to deal with these problems to ensure the proper operation and safety of the semi trailer. Used semi-trailers may have a decrease in value when compared to newer vehicles. This means that you may not be able to get a higher resale value when you sell or trade the semi-trailer later.
Summary
Through the above, we can find that many factors affect the price of a flatbed trailer. Among them, the difference in steel, the brand of accessories, and the brand reputation have a great impact on the price of a semi trailer. TRUCKMAN, as a professional semi trailer manufacturer, sells semi trailers that are suitable for all kinds of working conditions and meet all kinds of quality certification requirements. Welcome customers to contact us, we will recommend the right semi trailer for you according to your needs. Under the premise of guaranteeing the quality, we will help you to further reduce the purchasing cost.
FAQ
When choosing a new or used flatbed semi-trailer, it is important to consider the vehicle’s history, checking the vehicle’s repair and maintenance records to see if there are any accidents on record as well as any major repairs or replacement parts. These records can help you assess the overall condition and reliability of the vehicle. Find out if the semi trailer still has a warranty. If the vehicle is still under warranty, you can get some coverage and repair support.
Determining the right size and capacity depends on the type of goods you plan to transport and also takes into account the maximum weight and dimensions of the goods being transported to make the right choice of flatbed trailer that meets these requirements without compromising safety or efficiency.
To make sure you’re getting a good deal, conduct thorough market research, compare prices from multiple dealers, and be prepared to negotiate. Look for promotions, discounts, or trade-in opportunities, and consider the total cost of ownership, including maintenance and warranty coverage.
Economic conditions can have a significant impact on prices. During periods of economic growth, demand for flatbed trailers may increase, leading to higher prices. Conversely, during a recession, prices may fall due to reduced demand. Paying close attention to market trends can help you time your purchase effectively.