Flatbed Freight Transportation Service
We have the right flatbed trucking solutions for your business.
What is Flatbed Trucking?
A flatbed trailer is an open trailer type used in freight transportation, meaning it has no sides and no roof. Flatbed trailers are typically used for industrial freight that is oversized and overweight.
Flatbed trucking is the most suitable mode of freight transportation for shipments that cannot be hauled in an enclosed trailer because of the size, shape and/or weight of the load.
Standard flatbed trailers are 48 feet long and 102 inches wide. Some flatbed trailers are 53 feet long, but are not as common. The most common flatbeds have flat decks, are made with strong aluminum frames, and have wooden floors.
Other commonly used open flatbed trailer types include:
- Step Deck Trailers
- RGN (Removable Gooseneck Trailers)
- Lowboy Trailers
- Flatbed Stretch Trailers
- Double Drop Trailers
- Conestoga
What are the Benefits of Flatbed Shipping?
Greater Dimensional Versatility Loads that are too tall, wide, long, or heavy to fit within a dry van trailer are the right type of loads to ship on a flatbed.
Easy Loading and Unloading Access Because flatbed trailers have open sides and tops, cranes and forklifts can easily load and unload any shipment that is hauled to a location without a freight dock.
Versatile Trailer Options There are more than 14 types of flatbed trailers available to haul loads of any shape, size, and weight. 48’ – 53’ long standard flatbed trailers, step deck, and double drop deck are the most common types of flatbed trailers.
Load Security Load shipped on a flatbed trailer are exposed allowing the carrier to use chains, straps, and even coil racks to secure the load to the trailer.
Facts to Know About Flatbed Shipping:
Weather Conditions
With flatbed shipping the weather can play a major role how the load should be shipped. Tarping the freight with an open deck trailer or using a Conestoga trailer should be considered when rain or snow are factors.
Different Flatbed Trailer Types
Since there are more than 14 types of flatbed trailer types, it is important to have a trained flatbed shipping professional help you determine which trailer will be best to accommodate your load.
Types of Flatbed Freight
Common types of flatbed freight include large auto parts, construction equipment, excavators, generators, lumber, mining/drilling equipment, solar panels, tubing, and steel.
Oversize Loads
Certain over dimensional flatbed shipments require pilot vehicles, lights, and signs designating oversize freight, and/or proper cargo securement procedures.
Proper Cargo Securement
Cargo securement is extremely important with flatbed shipping. The FMCSA has a long list of rules for securement. These rules cover just about every type of cargo and method of cargo securement.
Accurate Shipment Details
Make sure that you communicate every detail of your flatbed shipment to our team of transportation professionals. Providing us with accurate dimensions, weight, value, and the loading and unloading conditions will ensure that your load is hauled as safely as possible by one of our flatbed carriers.
Please contact us today at 888-757-6909 or use our quote form for a free flatbed shipping quote. Get a Quote