Features to look for in a flatbed truck

In addition to deciding on basic requirements around horsepower, capacity, and fuel economy for your flatbed truck, you'll also have to evaluate a wide range of other features.

Seats
The driver’s seat is perhaps the most important "extras" for any truck. Until recently, the typical truck seat was 21" wide, and made of high-grade upholstery foam over wood or metal, and provide decent if not outstanding comfort.

However, manufacturers are starting to add more options to improve comfort and support for drivers. First, they increased the size of the seats: you can upgrade to seats as large as 24” wide if space in your cab allows.

Some manufacturers have also switched to coil springs for more balanced support, or built in multiple adjustable air chambers

None of these features matter much if the seat isn't comfortable to you. We'll talk about test drives later, but pay attention to how you feel in the driver's seat of every truck you're evaluating. Take the time to adjust the seat exactly to your liking, for the best visibility and ergonomic support. Pay attention to how many different types of adjustments you can make and how precisely you can control each change.

Bed options
The type of hauling you'll do will help decide what type of deck you need on your flatbed. Aluminum is more expensive to purchase and lighter than wood, but more durable in the long run. On the other hand, wooden floors are more easily replaced. Other options include fiberglass composite beds and steel beds.

Another extra to look for is the number of winches built into the frame. These make the job of securing your cargo easy. Some tractors have dozens of winches built-in, giving you flexibility in the types and sizes of load you can carry. You can also choose medium-duty flatbeds with railings or slatted walls on the bed.

Finally, most flatbed trailers have two axles, but heavy-duty trailers can have three or four. If you're going to be carrying heavy machinery or vehicles, extra axles are a good investment for increasing your overall capacity.

Sleepers
While not an option on most integrated-cab flatbed trucks, sleeper cabs are important to semi-tractor drivers who take flatbed trailers on cross-country trips. Sleeper cabs can range from the tiniest bunks to what seem like miniature apartments.

If you are buying a sleeper, trucking experts recommend purchasing the best model you can, no matter if you're buying for yourself or for your employees. The comfort and privacy of a sleeper is essential to long-term driver satisfaction, so skimping on the size and amenities is a risky proposition. Premium sleeping areas can really improve the resale value of your truck, as well.

Look for sleepers that make it possible to forget you’re sleeping in a truck. Separate climate control panels make it easy to adjust air flow or heat without returning to the driver’s seat. TVs with DVD players can help kill those off hours you’re required to take, and refrigerators and microwaves can reduce your reliance on truck stop food.

High end sleepers include more kitchen space and even toilets and showers. For drivers who live out of their trucks for weeks, this can be a huge benefit – but it carries a fuel economy penalty.

Other extras
There is a huge range of extra features to consider. Here are just a few:

• Sleeper compartment insulation can help cut down on the power needed to maintain a comfortable temperature, as well as reduce noise.
• Additional mirrors provide extra visibility where you need it most. Convex mirrors mounted low on the fenders help when you’re maneuvering in tight spaces.
• Instruments and gauges should be easy to read and understand.
• Additional lights are a popular way to customize a truck, and can be a good investment in terms of resale value. Often, this includes running lights and other add-ons that are more decorative than functional.
• Tool boxes mounted outside the cab can provide valuable extra storage capacity without taking up interior space.
• Additional fuel tanks let you reduce the amount of stops you need to make to gas up.