Flatbed Truckload Freight Shipping Services

What Is Flatbed Freight?

Flatbed freight refers to shipments that move on open-deck trailers rather than enclosed equipment. Unlike a dry van trailer, a flatbed has no roof or fixed walls, allowing freight to be loaded from the side, top, or rear and secured directly to the trailer deck. That open access makes flatbed equipment well suited for freight that cannot be loaded through standard dock doors or that may not fit efficiently within enclosed trailer dimensions.

Flatbed is not limited to oversized freight. It may be the appropriate transportation solution when shipment dimensions, shape, weight distribution, loading requirements, or securement needs make enclosed trailer service impractical. Construction materials, steel products, industrial machinery, lumber, pipe, and large manufactured components are common flatbed commodities, not necessarily because of weight alone, but because of how they need to be loaded, secured, and delivered.

The decision to use flatbed equipment typically starts with the freight itself. Dimensions, weight, loading method, delivery conditions, and securement requirements all influence whether open-deck transportation is appropriate and which equipment configuration best supports the shipment.

For a deeper look at what goes into flatbed shipping decisions, see Flatbed Trailer Shipping: What Shippers Should Know.

Flatbed Truckload in Practice

Flatbed freight typically requires more upfront planning than a standard dry van move. Before equipment arrives for pickup, dimensions, weight distribution considerations, securement methods, loading conditions, and route requirements should all be reviewed. Missing or incomplete shipment details can create loading delays, routing adjustments, or additional coordination requirements during transit.

Flatbed shipments commonly require:

• Accurate freight dimensions and total weight confirmed before equipment is assigned
• Weight distribution planning to support appropriate axle loading and equipment selection
• Securement planning using chains, straps, binders, edge protection, blocking, tarps, or other cargo protection methods depending on shipment requirements
• Route review when freight height, width, length, or weight may affect permit requirements or routing restrictions
• On-site loading equipment such as cranes or forklifts confirmed before pickup
• Weather protection planning for freight that may be sensitive to moisture, debris, or environmental conditions during open-deck transit

Because flatbed freight moves exposed on an open deck, load preparation and securement planning influence shipment performance throughout transit. For complex or oversized loads that extend beyond standard flatbed coordination, see our project freight services.

Common Flatbed Equipment Types

Not all flatbed freight moves on the same trailer. Equipment selection depends on freight dimensions, weight, loading method, securement requirements, and overall shipment profile. Trailer selection influences how freight can be loaded, secured, routed, and delivered.

Standard Flatbed (48′ and 53′)

Standard flatbeds are the most common open-deck equipment type. These trailers have a single open deck and are commonly used for freight that can be loaded from the side or top while remaining within applicable transportation limits. Construction materials, steel products, lumber, machinery components, and palletized industrial freight frequently move on standard flatbed equipment. Deck width is typically 102 inches, and payload capacity varies depending on trailer configuration, axle setup, commodity characteristics, and route requirements.

Step Deck (Drop Deck)

A step deck trailer has two deck levels, a shorter upper deck near the cab and a longer lower deck toward the rear. The lower deck sits closer to the ground than a standard flatbed, which may provide additional vertical clearance for taller freight in some routing scenarios. Step decks are commonly used for shipments that exceed standard flatbed height profiles but do not require the deeper well configuration of a double drop trailer.

Double Drop

A double drop trailer has three sections: a raised front section, a low center well, and a raised rear section. The lower center section provides additional vertical clearance compared with standard flatbed and step deck equipment, making double drops commonly used for tall machinery, large equipment, and oversized cargo. Permit requirements, routing restrictions, and additional planning may apply depending on shipment dimensions and route conditions.

Removable Gooseneck (RGN)

A removable gooseneck (RGN) trailer allows the front section to detach, creating loading access that enables wheeled or tracked equipment to be driven onto the trailer rather than lifted into place. RGN equipment is commonly used for heavy construction equipment, industrial machinery, and freight with specialized loading requirements. For shipments that require this level of coordination and planning, RGN transportation may overlap with broader project freight execution.

Flatbed Weight and Dimension Limits

Flatbed shipments are subject to federal, state, and route-specific weight and dimension requirements that influence equipment selection, routing, and permit considerations. Reviewing shipment specifications early in the planning process helps identify transportation constraints before pickup.

Standard Flatbed Specifications

• Trailer length: commonly 48′ or 53′ depending on lane, carrier, and equipment availability
• Deck width: typically up to 102 inches, subject to applicable regulations
• Payload capacity: varies based on trailer configuration, axle setup, commodity characteristics, and route requirements
• Maximum gross vehicle weight: commonly up to 80,000 lbs on interstate routes in the United States, subject to axle and route limitations
• Height considerations: allowable loaded height varies by state, route, and permit requirements

When Permits May Be Required

Shipments that exceed applicable legal height, width, length, gross weight, or axle limitations may require oversize or overweight permits before transportation can begin. Permit requirements vary by state and route, and shipments moving across multiple jurisdictions may be subject to additional routing restrictions, travel windows, or escort vehicle requirements.

First Call reviews shipment dimensions and weight against routing considerations during planning to help identify when additional coordination or permitting may be required. For freight involving recurring oversize permitting or complex multi-state routing, our project freight team supports broader planning and coordination.

For a deeper look at oversized load transportation, see Moving Oversized Loads with First Call’s Landon Moreau.

Industries That Use Flatbed Freight

Flatbed freight supports a wide range of industries. Businesses that ship freight with loading requirements, dimensions, securement needs, or equipment characteristics that are not well suited for enclosed trailers often rely on open-deck transportation. First Call coordinates flatbed truckload freight for manufacturers, construction companies, steel distributors, energy organizations, and other businesses with specialized transportation requirements.

Industries we regularly support include:

• Manufacturing — machinery, equipment components, fabricated metal products, and large manufactured goods that benefit from open-deck loading access or specialized securement
• Construction — building materials, structural steel, lumber, precast concrete, and other freight that may require side or top loading at jobsites and project locations
• Steel and metals — coiled steel, sheet metal, structural beams, pipe, and other metal products commonly moved on flatbed equipment with specialized securement requirements
• Energy and utilities — transformers, generators, wind components, pipeline materials, and industrial equipment associated with infrastructure and energy projects
• Agriculture — farm equipment, irrigation systems, and agricultural machinery that may require open-deck transportation between facilities or operating regions
• Project freight — complex, multi-piece, oversized, or specialized shipments requiring broader transportation planning and coordination

For shipments involving larger or more complex freight profiles, see our guide to project cargo coordination and how 3PLs support unique transportation requirements.

How First Call Supports Flatbed Truckload Freight

Flatbed freight typically requires more upfront coordination than a standard truckload move. Shipment dimensions, weight distribution considerations, securement requirements, loading conditions, and routing factors all influence equipment selection and transportation planning before pickup.

First Call supports flatbed shipments through:

• Equipment selection based on freight dimensions, weight, loading method, and securement requirements
• Carrier alignment with experience in open-deck transportation and the equipment configuration required for the shipment
• Route review when freight height, width, length, or weight may influence routing or permit considerations
• Permit coordination when oversize or overweight permitting requirements apply
• Loading and securement planning confirmed before equipment arrives at pickup
• Shipment visibility and transportation coordination throughout the move
• Communication aligned to pickup, transit, and delivery expectations

For freight that extends beyond standard flatbed coordination, including multi-piece loads, complex routing, or shipments requiring broader planning support, First Call’s project freight team supports transportation planning and execution.

Frequently Asked Flatbed Questions