A flatbed trailer is often used for transporting large equipment, ideal for those who need to move vast amounts of materials and machines. If you have ever seen one of these items, you might have noticed that there is often an arch in the structure of a flatbed trailer. Why do these vehicles have an arch? What is the point of this item?
Flatbed trailers are arched because of resistance. Without this, they would likely snap and break if any type of pressure was applied. The arch might seem like an error, but it is a critical part of the structure of a flatbed trailer.
Keep reading to learn more about the arch in a flatbed truck. It is a vital piece of this method of transportation, allowing heavy objects to be moved back and forth without much effort from the driver. Understanding why this arch matter is a great way to learn more about the flatbed trailer.
What Does the Arch Allow Flatbeds to Carry?
The arch permits the force to be distributed in a way that allows heavy objects to be carried on top. With light objects, the platform does not move too much. With heavy objects, the bed becomes flat and pressed down. This means big loads can be hauled back and forth on top of this vehicle.
Some of the most common items that are carried on flatbed trucks include:
- Building materials: Building materials like lumber and bricks can be moved.
- Landscaping items: Landscaping items like trees and equipment can be shifted.
- Equipment: Equipment, such as military trucks, can be moved.
All of these items can be used thanks to the arch.
Without the arch, it would not be possible for any other these items to be moved. We will get into this next so that you can understand why the flatbed truck was not created in a perfectly flat format. The arch allows for the most efficient way to move items, small and large alike.
What Would Happen if the Trailer Were Flat?
From an aesthetic point of view, it might seem like it makes more sense to create a flatbed trailer with an arch. After all, the bed looks a bit distorted if you see it without items loaded on top. What would happen if the trailer were flat? Would it make that much of a difference in the way the trailer operates?
Here are just a few potential issues of a flat platform:
- Breakage: The physics of a flat platform would not be able to withstand very much weight.
- Constant replacements: With the breakage, there would be lots of repairs and replacements.
- Inability to transport: Transporting heavy items would be out of the question.
All of these might happen if a flatbed trailer were straight rather than bowed slightly in the middle. A flat truck is not as beneficial to movers as one with an arch right in the middle.
To prevent problems, companies manufacture flatbed trailers with an arch in the middle to support the items. This strategy allows them to last longer and stay strong as time goes on, despite all of the weight and pressure put on them as they do the jobs laid out for them.
What Material Are Flatbed Trailers Made Of?
Of course, the arch is nothing if the material of the flatbed trailer will break in an instant. Flatbed trailers come out of specific items that will provide the vehicle with the best support possible.
Some of the most common materials that flatbed trailers use include:
- Aluminum: This metal is durable and easy to work with on the floor of a studio.
- Steel: Steel is an alloy, making it very strong.
- A combination: Occasionally, manufacturers will make use of both metals to add extra strength.
These are some of the materials that those who construct flatbed trailers use.
Once the materials are cast into the structure, the arch goes into the trailer. Combining the solid materials permits the flatbed trailer to be as durable as possible.
Without this duo, flatbed trailers would not be as strong.
Are Any Other Items Arched Like a Flatbed?
The arch of a flatbed trailer is visible in other structures around the world. All of them formed with an intent to hold weights that were impossible to handle without an arch.
Some items that include arches for strength include:
- Bridges: Bridges arch to support the weight of people, cars, and trains going over them.
- Dams: Dams are arched so that they can handle the stress of the water pressure.
- Houses: Many houses include arches to uphold the structural integrity of the home without any issue.
All of these items have arched features for strength.
Arches have signified strength for a long time. It makes sense that flatbed trailers have taken advantage of this strategy and implemented it into their construction.
Conclusion
When you look at a flatbed on a truck, you will likely notice that the vehicle has a slight curve embedded in its body. Although it seems funny, it serves a critical purpose for the truck. The arch is vital to the strength of a flatbed trailer.
The arch in a flatbed trailer allows the vehicle to carry heavy items. Without this detail, the flatbed trailer would snap in half under the weight. The design permits it to transport heavy materials for many miles without damaging the car in irreparable ways.