Flatbed trucks have many uses that make commerce easier. Learn what flatbed trucks are, what they do, and the reasoning behind their creation.
Flatbed Trucks Look Unique
Flatbed trucks carry heavy loads that cannot be hauled by vans or other road vehicles. The flatbed surface is located behind the cab. It is wide and has a flat, level surface for transporting huge loads. Items can be lifted onto a flatbed truck’s surface from any angle because the surface is wide without any sides. Heavy straps or chains are used to secure items safely for short- and long-distance hauling. Therefore, drivers must be in excellent physical condition to tie down heavy loads properly. Standard flatbed trailers are 48-feet long.
The Types of Items That Flatbed Trucks Carry
Because flatbeds are part of the heavy hauler vehicle category, they are designed to carry weighty loads.
Common items that flatbed trucks transport include:
- Building supplies
- Heavy machinery
- Large equipment
- Steel products
- Other large items
Flatbed Trailer Truck Types
Drivers must transport heavy loads in a variety of ways, and flatbed types vary too. New flatbed trailers for sale have specific features that meet the needs of heavy load drivers and their customers.
Flatbed types have different:
- Flatbed sizes
- Structures of the flatbed
- Usage scopes
- Weight capabilities
Step Deck or Drop Deck
The step deck trailer (or drop deck) has a step on the surface to make two levels. Step decks are useful when cargo exceeds height limits if the load were to be placed on a standard flatbed truck. Since the bottom level of the step deck is lower to the ground than the upper level, it can transport cargo with heights up to 10 feet tall. According to the experts at Hale Trailer, “Step deck trailers generally have an 11-foot-long upper deck, and 37-foot-long lower deck (equaling general legal max length of 48 feet).”
Double-deck Flatbed
A double-deck flatbed has a larger-than-standard flatbed surface. It sits lower than the cab. It is useful for hauling larger, taller loads.
Double-drop Flatbed
A double-drop flatbed has a well-like center surface for carrying larger items. The load will need a crane to be lifted out of the flatbed. Due to the lower middle area, the double-drop type sacrifices some of the lengths of the cab.
Stretch Flatbeds
Freight that is longer than average can be transported using a stretch flatbed. Drivers are required to have a highway travel safety permit.
Covered Wagon Flatbed
This type of trailer is used when the load must be covered with a tarp during transporting. The flatbed has posts and stakes for this purpose.
Removable Gooseneck (RGN) Trailers
The neck on this type of trailer is removable and converts into a ramp. It makes for easy loading of drivable equipment because these items can be driven up the ramp to the flatbed. After the load reaches its destination, the equipment can be driven right off the flatbed using the ramp as well.
Advantages of Flatbed Trucking
Hauling equipment using the flatbed trucking method has several advantages over other shipping methods.
1. Loading the Flatbed is Easier
The openness of the flatbed allows for easy loading and unloading. It’s challenging to maneuver heavy equipment onto a flatbed trailer that has sides. Furthermore, the risk of damaging the equipment or the trailer may be higher with alternative shipping methods. In addition, time is money. The longer it takes to load items, the likelihood of paying more in hourly labor expenses increases.
2. Many Heavy Items Can Ship at the Same Time
A variety of items such as lumber, tools, materials, and equipment can ship all at once. You won’t have to worry about certain items arriving on different days and slowing down progress on a project.
3. No Need to Deliver at a Loading Dock
Flatbeds can load and unload items anywhere. This benefit allows deliveries to be completed without the use of a loading dock. You can avoid common loading dock issues with levelers, dock doors, and long delivery wait times at the dock.
When Should You Select a Flatbed?
There are several reasons why a flatbed trailer would be the best solution for your shipping needs.
Select a flatbed trailer when you have:
- A variety of equipment of different sizes and weights
- Items that cannot fit into a standard trailer truck
- Large construction equipment
- Odd-shaped equipment or supplies
Flatbed trucking is here to stay. It’s the best way to deliver certain items quickly, safely, and right on time! New flatbed trailers for sale are available, and they come outfitted with the most advanced technology the industry has to offer.
