Flat Top Trailers vs. Box Trailers – Which One Should You Choose?
At Basic Trailers, we design and manufacture a large range of box trailers and flat top trailers for both personal and commercial use. Both are built for safe towing and offer long term durability, and so the type of trailer you choose will depend on how it is to be used and the sorts of loads you tow.
In this guide, we discuss the relative merits of each type of trailer and which one will provide you with the versatility, stability and reliability you need to get the job done in harsh Australian conditions, so that you are fully informed and able to make the best possible choice.
What features do flat top trailers and box trailers have in common?
Both box trailers and flat top trailers come in a variety of sizes, and are available in both single axle and tandem axle models depending on your needs, whether it's for occasional or daily use.
Our high quality box trailers range in size from 6 x 4 up to 10 x 6 in single axle models, while our heavy duty tandem axle box trailers are available in sizes ranging from 8 x 4 right up to 20 x 6.
Flat top trailers are also available in a variety of sizes, ranging from 8 x 6 up to a massive 24 x 8 for oversized loads.
What this means is that you can always find a size of trailer that meets your purposes.
Flat top trailers and box trailers are highly versatile
All of the box trailers and flat top trailers built in our workshop in South Australia are highly versatile and can be adapted with a range of add-ons and trailer upgrades so that they are better suited to your specific needs.
For instance, both can operate as either static or tipper trailers. Box trailers, ranging in size from 7 x 4 up to 14 x 6, and flat top trailers ranging in size from 8 x 6 to 14 x 8, can be fitted with a hydraulic tipper, making it significantly easier to carry and then unload a variety of materials.
Box trailers with a tipper mechanism are ideal for transporting loose loads, such as building materials, soil, sand, rubble, aggregate, grain, garden waste or lawn clippings, essential for anyone working in building and construction, earthworks and excavation, or landscaping and gardening.
Flat top trailers that feature a hydraulic tipper, are the ideal trailer for carrying vehicles and other sorts of heavy mechanical or industrial loads. Flat top trailers are also popular for use in logistics due to their flexibility in handling diverse freight, including pallets, and are suitable for regional and interstate transport due to their versatility. Heavy duty flat top trailers are also widely used in trade and agricultural applications, and for carrying bulky loads.
Upgrades for flat top trailers and box trailers
Our flat top trailers and box trailers feature are built from 100% Australian steel, and there are a variety of customisation options and accessories available to ensure the configuration meets your specific needs. Therefore, what both of these trailer styles have in common is that they can be adapted and upgraded to suit your purposes.
You can upgrade the ATM of both types of trailer, as well as the suspension, brakes and size of tyres and rims. You can also add ramps, tool boxes, rope rails and more, and tri axle models are also available for very heavy loads.
It is also possible to choose a galvanised finish, helping to prevent rust, corrosion and excessive wear, and to minimise maintenance.
Flat top trailers also offer customisation options such as removable side rails and added ramps, and can be equipped with twist locks for securing containers.
What is the difference between flat top trailers and box trailers?
The different designs of flat top trailers and box trailers means that they serve different purposes and are built to carry different types of loads.
Box trailers are built to keep loads like construction materials and landscaping materials in place and prevent them from shifting or being lost while you're towing, giving you extra security. To help do this, box trailers can also be fitted with high sides or cages, to further ensure that loads stay safe. They can also be fitted with stock crate sides in order to transport livestock.
Flat top trailers are essentially a platform and so do not have sides (although they can be fitted with a headboard or H frames, if required). Flat top trailers can therefore also be safely used on a worksite as a stable work space.
Having no sides also means that flat bed trailers are very versatile, and can carry items that are challenging to handle, such as vehicles, equipment, machinery and bulky agricultural goods . Flat top trailers will also generally have greater weight capacity and ATM in order to tow these heavier loads.
We also manufacture a range of flat top trailers that are specifically designed for carrying cars and other vehicles. This includes beavertail car trailers and full floor car trailers, as well as hydraulic tilt car trailers. With hydraulic tilt car trailers, there is no need to use bulky ramps, which can be difficult to manoeuvre into place and tricky to handle. A tilt car trailer also improves workplace safety as there is less manual intervention required in order to load a car or other types of plant and vehicle.
Flat top trailers are easier to clean than box trailers, as there are no corners for dirt and debris to gather in, making maintenance more straightforward, important when you're using a trailer onsite or for carrying dirty plant, machinery or vehicles. Loading and unloading a flat top trailer is also straightforward, as they can be loaded from the top, sides, or rear using cranes or forklifts.
Talk to Basic Trailers to find the right trailer
If you are considering buying either a flat top trailer or a box trailer in Adelaide, and are not sure which is right for you, our website features detailed descriptions of each trailer built by our team, and enables you to explore how our trailers are engineered and constructed, and why they are such a dependable solution for heavy use in all types of applications.
You can order a trailer online or talk to the Basic Trailers sales team. We are proud of providing friendly, reliable service so call us on 1300 770 770, email sales@basictrailers.com.au or call into our Adelaide trailer workshop and we'll be happy to talk you through the features of our trailers and which will best suit your needs.
We'll also be able to tell you more about our exceptional 12-month warranty, and why our flat top trailers and box trailers offer such exceptional value for money.
