Multiple industries, including building and construction, automotive, and military, depend on freight transportation to carry their supplies and equipment to their destination. Since the majority of these supplies are extra-large and are strangely shaped, they don’t fit the size of a standard truck. So, flatbed freight transportation is the solution to these issues.

What is Flatbed Shipping?

Flatbed shipping is a way to transfer cargo, using flatbed trucks carrying heavy and huge equipment, like cranes and forklifts. Because these trucks do not have walls, oversized freight fits. 

Flatbed truck measurements are different depending on the specific truck and trucking type. But tractor-trailer-sized flatbeds are generally between 48 feet and 53 feet long, and the basic width is 8 feet and 6 inches, though this can extend to 11 feet. If a flatbed truck is carrying loads wider than 11 feet, it may need an escort vehicle.

The flatbed freight market is usually project-based with seasonal demand. Since industries using it often slow down in winter months, the demand for flatbed freight becomes normal at the end of the year. This is because companies must complete shipping materials for projects before the holiday closures and before the snow covers routes, which slow down shipping.

What Products Can Be Delivered with a Flatbed Truck?

Flatbed trucks can ship practically anything, except items that elements can easily damage because of their vehicles‘ uncovered designs.

The most common things that are shipped using flatbed shipping are:

• Freight exceeding 100 inches in height or 100 inches in width
• Cars and other vehicles
• Formed lumber, concrete items, construction materials, trusses, and large beams
• Large machinery and equipment, including backhoes, tractors, dozers, excavators, forklifts, and other construction, agricultural, manufacturing, and warehousing equipment
• Freights that need to be loaded by wench, crane, roll off-platform, forklift, etc.

Advantages of Flatbed Freight

Besides higher demands for import, increasing construction activities, flourishing oil and drilling industries, and other reasons, flatbed freight has several benefits that’s why more industries are relying on it.

1. Easy Loading and Unloading of Freight

Because flatbed trucks are uncovered or have no boxy wall, you do not need to worry about obstacles. You can quickly fit your items and use a forklift to load them up. It offers you complete freedom on what to put, even the most oversized goods.

2. Unloading without the Need of a Loading Dock

Flatbed trucking services don’t have any restrictions when it comes to loading a dock. Your items can be delivered anywhere by the transport company, including residential neighborhoods, large construction sites, and so on.

3. Secure and Safe Transport

Moving cargo through flatbed trucks is more secure and safer since the items are exposed. To prevent shifting during transportation, professionals use chains, coil racks, traps, and others so that your freight will arrive at its destination unscathed.

4. Flatbed Trucking Services Allow Various Materials and Size

A flatbed truck lets you transfer a high volume of different materials in one trip. This works for moving oddly-shaped cargo, particularly for those in the construction industry. As a result, you can save from shipping expenses and speed up completion time. Furthermore, flatbed shipping lets you transport cargo that is extremely large, even if it doesn’t occupy the entire space of the truck.

Is Flatbed Shipping Expensive?

The cost depends on the country you’re living in and where you are delivering to. The cost is affected by several factors such as:

• How far are the loading and unloading points
• If it needs loading and unloading equipment like a loading platform or a crane
• The need for extra services like chains and tarps
• Any fees and permits that your freight requires from local and national government offices
• The kind of flatbed truck you need
• The weight and size of your load

To maximize the benefits of flatbed truck services, it’s always best to deal with specialists who guarantee your cargo’s timely delivery and safety. Also, it helps if you understand the type of flatbed trailers. Finally, before booking, make sure to know the dimensions, weight, commodity, and value of your shipment.

For your professional shipping needs, you might want to check out Ship Interlane. They offer a wide array of local, national, and international freight services, including Full Truck Load (FTL), Flatbed Transport, Dry Van Transport, Reefer TRansport, Expedited Services, Small Load, etc.