Flatbed Trailer Transportation

Flatbed trailers are the backbone of the freight industry, offering unmatched versatility for transporting a wide variety of goods. Their open, platform-style design allows for quick loading and unloading from all sides, making them ideal for large, heavy, or irregularly shaped cargo.

What is a Flatbed Trailer?

A Flatbed trailer is a completely open platform—no sides, no roof—mounted on a sturdy frame. This design allows shippers to move freight that would not fit into enclosed trailers due to size, shape, or loading requirements. Flatbeds are commonly used across industries such as construction, manufacturing, energy, and agriculture.

Common Applications:

Building materials (steel beams, lumber, bricks)
Machinery and industrial equipment
Pipes, tubing, and large spools
Vehicles and parts
Crates and oversized pallets

Key Features of a Flatbed Trailer:

Open design: Freely loadable from the top, sides, or rear.
Standard dimensions: Typically 48' or 53' long and 8.5' wide.
Load capacity: Most flatbeds can carry up to 48,000 pounds.
Material versatility: Suitable for steel, lumber, machinery, vehicles, and more.
Accessibility: Forklift and crane compatible for easy loading/unloading.

Advantages of Using a Flatbed Trailer:

Maximized flexibility: Perfect for loads that don't conform to standard trailer shapes.
Efficient loading and unloading: Save time and labor with easy forklift and crane access.
Wide range of cargo options: Move virtually anything that can be safely secured.
Strong availability: One of the most commonly available trailer types in the U.S.

Legal and Logistical Considerations:

Height, width, and weight limits: Standard legal cargo dimensions are 8.5' wide, 8.5' tall, and 48,000 pounds; oversized loads require permits.
Cargo securement: Freight must be properly tied down with chains, straps, and tarps if necessary, in compliance with FMCSA regulations.
Weather exposure: Cargo on flatbeds is exposed to the elements unless tarped.

FLATBED