Platform trailer with reinforced neck

A trailer comprising:

• a forward end and a rear end spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis;
• a cargo supporting platform that extends between said forward end and said rear end and that comprises left and right laterally spaced-apart sides;
• a chassis connected to said platform and comprising first and second beams that extend parallel to each other and that each extend parallel to said longitudinal axis, said first and second beams each comprising a maximum height H1;
• an axle assembly connected to said chassis and comprising left and right rotatable wheel and tire assemblies;
• said trailer comprising a neck where said first and second beams each comprise a second height H2 that is less than 25% of said maximum height H1;
• said trailer further comprising a neck reinforcement structure connected to said neck, said neck reinforcement structure comprising:
• a first beam reinforcement structure connected to said first beam;
• a second beam reinforcement structure connected to said second beam;
• at least one internal cross member that extends between and interconnects the first and second beam reinforcement structures;
• and,
• a fifth wheel plate connected to a lower flange of both said first and second beams and extending between the first and second beams;
• a kingpin connected to said fifth wheel plate, wherein said second height H2 of said first and second beams is measured at an axial location along said longitudinal axis corresponding to an axial location of said kingpin along said longitudinal axis;
• wherein:
• said first and second beams each comprise an I-beam profile and include an upper flange, said lower flange, and a web that extends between said upper and lower flanges;
• said first beam reinforcement structure comprises a first inner plate abutted with said web of said first beam between said upper and lower flanges on an inner side of said first beam that is oriented toward said second beam;
• and
• said second beam reinforcement structure comprises a second inner plate abutted with said web of said second beam between said upper and lower flanges on an inner side of said second beam that is oriented toward said first beam.