Flatbed Shipping is a type of freight transportation that cannot be moved with the help of ordinary trailers, such as dry vans. It is mostly associated with oversized and non-conventional cargo, including the freedom of loading and unloading goods from the top, sides, and even back since the structure has no walls or roofs to confine it.
Since flatbed shipping is an oversized cargo shipping type, it is perfect for bulky or uniquely shaped products that need a good and safe freight shipping solution. Here, we explain flatbed shipping, the benefits of shipping on a flatbed, the types of flatbed trailers, the costs involved, and ways to optimize transport.
Flatbed Shipping Benefits
Flatbed shipping is widely used in transportation and is vital to the movements of oversized and irregular cargo that cannot fit into a standard box. A flatbed trailer is a type of trailer that has an open flat area without any covering to protect the cargo from bad weather or external factors.
It is particularly useful for industries using flatbed trucking services, including construction, automotive, and large machinery manufacturing industries.
A flatbed truck conveys large equipment, raw materials, shipping containers, and other oversized loads. Loading is also possible from all sides, making it easier and a faster and very useful feature for flatbed logistics and flatbed shipping services.
Key Benefits of Flatbed Shipping
Flatbed shipping offers numerous benefits over other types of freight transport, particularly for industries using flatbed trucking:
- Dimensional Flexibility: There are no actual walls to contribute to, and hence, flatbed shipping can accommodate and transport more significant forms of cargo, such as oversized loads.
- Loading Options: It can be loaded from the side, on top, or from the rear, which provides a certain level of convenience for various types of goods.
- Efficient Transport: It is easier to load and unload than standard trailers since flatbed trucks do not need docks for loading.
These benefits make flatbed shipping logistics recommend flatbed transport for large-scale projects among the preferred channels for companies that require transporting heavy and oversized products.
Types of Flatbed Trailers for Specific Freight Needs
The main types of flatbed trailers can be used based on size, weight, and other delivery equipment. Below are some commonly used types of flatbed trailers:
- Standard Flatbed Trailer: This basic trailer type has only an open deck and can move general freight or regular cargo. It is normally applied in the freight of flatbed shipments and for those cargo that do not meet standard height and weight restrictions.
- Step Deck Trailer: It is also referred to as a drop deck trailer; it allows transporting items of great height without exceeding height limits. This type is suitable for transporting bulky machinery and other construction products.
- Removable Gooseneck Trailer (RGN): This trailer has a detachable front, making it easier to load large and bulky equipment items. It is commonly used in flatbed oversized shipments and the movement of bulky machinery.
- Double Drop Trailer (Lowboy): This is a heavy trailer with a low deck in the middle, mainly used for tall cargo, which does not fit standard height measurements for trailers.
- Curtain Side Flatbed Trailer: This kind of trailer has side curtains that can be folded up to enable side door loading; however, they are protected from weather conditions as they are in the enclosed trailer.
All the trailers have specific uses in flatbed trucking, and their suitability depends on the dimensions, weight, and handling needs.
Industries that Depend on Flatbed Trucking
Flatbed trucks are common in industries with large and complex shipments requiring specialized transportation. Here are some sectors that frequently use flatbed shipping services:
- Consumer Goods Shipping: Products like construction materials, steel bars, and scaffolding commonly occupy flatbed trailers due to their size and weight.
- Farming & Food Shipping: Large items such as tractors, plows, and other agricultural equipment that cannot fit in enclosed trucks are shipped using flatbeds.
- Wholesale & Distribution: Not specifically applicable based on provided data, but generally involves bulk and large-scale product shipments.
- Textile & Fabrics: Not specifically applicable based on provided data, but typically involves large rolls of fabric and textile materials.
- Logistics Shipping: Flatbeds are useful in logistics shipping for oversized and heavy equipment that cannot fit in standard enclosed trailers.
- 3PL Shipping: Third-party logistics providers may use flatbeds to transport a wide range of bulky or oversized items for their clients.
- Fashion & Apparel: Not specifically applicable based on provided data, but usually involves clothing and accessories, typically transported in enclosed trailers rather than flatbeds.
These industries rely on flatbed trucking to transport valuable, sensitive cargo that helps run their businesses.
Cost of Flatbed Shipping: What to Expect
The overall flatbed shipping costs depend on the cargo’s size and weight, the distance, and the specific needs for handling freight. Let’s break down some of the primary cost components:
- Distance and Route: Shipping routes that cover more distance or are considered less conventional may increase the flatbed shipping rates per mile than others.
- Cargo Size and Weight: Large large trailers typically pull large items, which will cost extra charges.
- Type of Trailer Needed: Specific trailers, such as Removable Gooseneck (RGN) or Curtain Side trailers, are more costly than the other flatbed trailers that can be rented.
- Seasonal Demand: There are always some tendencies within the rates depending on the demand in certain markets, so it is helpful to organize and agree on a flatbed shipping rate beforehand.
If you need to know the affordable flatbed shipping cost, then it is important to contact the flatbed shipping brokers or companies who can offer you a flatbed shipping estimate. Some companies mainly focus on flatbed shipping at a cheap price but with safety and quality in mind.
Useful Recommendations for Safe and Efficient Flatbed Transportation
One of the major concerns important in flatbed freight shipping is the safe transportation of goods. Here are key tips for securing loads on flatbed trailers:
- Know Your Freight Specifications: There are specific aspects of your shipment you need to know, such as its size and weight and the type of freight you are dealing with. Overloading can also raise the flatbed shipping cost and be dangerous.
- Proper Load Securing: Securing loads on flatbed trailers is required while freight is loaded on flatbed trailers because it prevents cargo shifting in transit, mostly when it is bulky or has an unusual shape. Chains, straps, or other equipment are required to minimize movement and prevent cargo from shifting.
- Work with Professionals: Engage flatbed shipping carriers or freight brokers with experience in flatbed shipping who will take time to coordinate the shipping process for your freight.
- Obtain Necessary Permits: When handling oversized cargo, obtain relevant permits for flatbed shipment to avoid legal complications.
That way, your flatbed shipment experience is not only made efficient but its security is also enhanced.
Conclusion
Flatbed Shipping is a reliable and versatile mode of shipment used for equipment such as heavy machinery, construction materials, and oversized freight. By understanding flatbed trailers, costs, and key strategies, everyone can make good decisions to improve the shipping process.
Working with skilled flatbed shipping carriers and getting the right flatbed shipping rates are more valuable and time-saving making flatbed shipping suitable for new and experienced shippers.
FAQs
- What is a flatbed shipment?
Flatbed shipment refers to transporting goods with an open trailer with no roof, sides, or divider. This method of transport is appropriate for large items, very massive, and cannot fit into enclosed trailers. It is designed to facilitate loading and unloading in almost any position to deal with freight.
- What is the current flatbed freight rate?
Excluding fuel, the flatbed spot rates in September 2024 were set at an average of $1.94 per mile, accompanied by a 3.8% year-over-year increase. However, the actual rates depend on many factors, such as distance, load size, and demand in the market.
- What is a flatbed used for?
The flatbed is applied to transport oversized, overweight, or bulky loads that cannot fit into the standard enclosed trailer. Common items are construction materials, steel coils, and Vehicles. This configuration allows equipment and materials to be easily loaded and unloaded from the sides or ends of the building, making it suitable for various uses.
- What are flatbed loads?
Flatbed loads specifically deal with the cargo loaded on the flatbed trailers. Such loads include large and heavy items like constructions, equipment, wood, pipes, etc, which cannot be contained in a standard cargo vehicle because of size and shape.
- What can be an example of a flatbed?
An example of a flatbed is an ordinary flatbed trailer with a flat platform without sides and even a roof, which usually has a dimension of 48ft x 8.5 ft in width. This design favors transporting different cargo loaded and unloaded from the lateral, superior, or back parts.
- What is the difference between flatbed and LTL?
Flatbed transport involves using flatbed trailers to transport bulky shipments with loads that occupy the entire space on the trailer. Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping involves grouping shipments from several customers into a single trailer. Flatbed shipping is ideal for shipping large volumes, and LTL is ideal for small consignments that do not require a whole trailer.
- What type of cargo is primarily shipped on flatbed freight?
Lumber, steel and pipes, construction vehicles and equipment, and large pipes are flatbed goods. These items favor the design of the flatbed to transport them since they are bulky and do not require complex efforts to load or discharge.
- How to secure a shipping container to a flatbed?
For fixing a container on a flatbed, the twist locks or locking pins are inserted into the corner castings of the shipping container so that it just firmly attaches to the trailer. Furthermore, chains or straps should be used to enhance the stability of the container and avoid it moving around during transport. It is important always to follow safety standards and measures for the security of loads.
- How to load a shipping container on a flatbed?
In most cases, loading a shipping container on a flatbed requires a crane or a forklift that can handle high capacity. Position the flatbed on a flat surface, and ensure that the container is properly positioned to fit the trailer. Picking the container using a delicate method, positioning it properly on the flatbed, and ensuring it is well-locked with the relevant locking system and tie-downs.
- How do you find the best-flatbed freight brokers?
To identify the right flatbed freight brokers, avoid those with little or no experience in flatbed shipping. Ensure they have valid licenses and insurance, review customer reviews, and evaluate their affiliated carriers. Freight load boards are accessible on the internet, and associations in the industry also aid in identifying brokers.
