BACKGROUND

Platform or “flatbed” trailers manufactured using main beams defined from aluminum alloy are becoming increasingly popular as compared to those manufactured using main beams defined from steel. These platform trailers manufactured using aluminum beams have traditionally been manufactured using beams that have a height in the neck region of the trailer that is greater than 10 inches to provide the neck region of the trailer with sufficient strength. The height of these aluminum beams in the neck region of known trailers negatively impacts the cargo carrying capacity of the trailer by reducing the height of the load that can be transported on the trailer while keeping the overall height of the load below the maximum height required by law and/or by bridges, overpasses, or like structures under which the trailer and load must pass. This reduction in load height negatively impacts the ability to use aluminum beam platform trailers including “curtainside” or other canopy structures, because the height of the canopy structure must be reduced correspondingly with the increase in beam height in the neck region to ensure that the canopy structure does not have an overall height greater than legal or other limits, which constrains the amount of cargo that can be hauled inside a curtainside or other canopied platform trailer manufactured using aluminum beams. Trailers manufactured using steel beams instead of aluminum have reduced the height of the beams in the neck region to less than 10 inches (e.g., 8 inches), but the steel beams are susceptible to corrosion and add to the empty weight of the trailer which decreases load capacity and increases fuel consumption.

In light of the foregoing, a need has been identified for a platform trailer manufactured using aluminum beams that have a height in the neck region that is substantially less than 10 inches while still having sufficient strength for the trailer to carry coils of steel and other heavy and concentrated loads.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the present development, a platform trailer includes a forward end and a rear end spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis, and includes a midpoint located halfway between said forward end and said rear end. A cargo supporting platform extends between the forward end and the rear end and includes left and right laterally spaced-apart sides. A chassis supports the platform and includes first and second beams that extend parallel to said longitudinal axis and that each include a first height H1at the midpoint. At least one axle assembly is connected to the chassis between the midpoint and the rear end and includes left and right rotatable wheel and tire assemblies. The forward end of the trailer includes a neck region where the first and second beams each include a second height H2that is less than the first height H1. The trailer further includes a neck reinforcement structure located in the neck region. The neck reinforcement structure includes a first beam reinforcement structure located adjacent an inner side of the first beam that is oriented toward the second beam, and a second beam reinforcement structure located adjacent an inner side of the second beam that is oriented toward the first beam. A plurality of internal cross members extend between and interconnect the first and second beam reinforcement structures. A fifth wheel plate is fixedly secured to and that extends between both the first and second beams. A kingpin is connected to the fifth wheel plate and is adapted to be engaged by an associated tractor fifth wheel.

