Choosing basic truck specs

The first big distinction to keep in mind is whether your trips will be mostly local, where the truck is returned to your location each night, or long distance, including multiple nights out on the road.

Most flatbed trucks are used for local work, which requires a very different set of characteristics than long-distance highway driving. Negotiating city traffic and accessing crammed loading docks demands a truck that’s maneuverable and has great visibility. You can skip sleeper cabs and other long-distance amenities to cut down on weight and costs.

Long distance trucks, on the other hand, need to maximize comfort and fuel efficiency at highway speeds. A sleeper cab is a must, and you’ll want to make sure it has the extras that make overnight stays comfortable. In addition, aerodynamic contours and fairings provide a nice boost to fuel economy at high speeds.

Flatbed trucks commonly have an integrated body, with the bed firmly attached to the cab, leaving no space for a sleeper. Buying a separate tractor and flatbed trailer gives you many more options for sleepers and other amenities, but really drives up your costs.

What specs do you need?
As you're setting the specs you need in your truck, keep in mind that that the ultimate goal is buying a truck that will make you the most profit in the long run. That result includes several components:

• Initial purchase price
• Eventual resale value
• Maintenance costs and requirements
• Fuel costs
• Cargo capabilities

Balancing all of these requirements can be a challenge, but simply keeping them all in mind can help you avoid moving too far in any one direction.

The basic truck specs you'll need to determine include:

• Axle ratings – typical axle ratings are 12,000 lbs for front axles and 40,000 lbs for the rear, but can be as high as 20,000 lbs front and 80,000 lbs rear. Don't upgrade unless you know you're going to be hauling extra heavy loads.
• Power – flatbed engines can offer between 200 and 500 horsepower, but most integrated-cab trucks fall into the 250 – 350 HP range. When matched with the right gear ratio, modern truck engines run most efficiently at lower RPMs, thanks to improved torque. Work with your dealer to select the right match of horsepower, torque, and gear ratio for the loads you plan to haul and the type of driving you'll be doing.
• Transmission – an automatic transmission may seem unnecessary to some trucking veterans, but they're gaining in popularity. For on-highway applications, automatics save on fuel and can prolong the life of your drivetrain as they ensure your truck runs in the right gear at all times.

Some additional specs to consider:

• Wheelbase – a shorter wheelbase offers more maneuverability, while a longer wheelbase providers a more comfortable ride.
• Rear axles – most integrated-cab flatbeds use double rear axles, which greatly increase the carrying capacity and the resale value of a truck.
• Tire setup – while dual tires on the rear axels used to be the standard, you'll find "super singles" gaining popularity in many applications. Super singles help increase fuel economy, but you lose the safety that tandem tires provide in case of a blowout.
• Wheel cut – for flatbeds that spend a lot of time in the city, the maneuverability provided by a 50° wheel cut (instead of the more common 40°) can prove to be a big advantage. If you're specing a flatbed for off-road use, keep in mind that oversized tires can limit the wheel cut.
• Engine brakes – Jacobs (Jake) brakes and other engine brakes are common on most heavy truck engines. They can really increase the lifespan of your main brakes, particularly if you regularly run long downhills, but be aware that many communities limit or prohibit their use due to noise ordinances.