Wed Apr 13 07:11:02 CDT 2022
Flatbed Transportation Services for Heavy and Oversized Freight
Heavy Haul Transporting provides flatbed transportation services for equipment, machinery, construction materials, industrial freight, and oversized cargo throughout the United States and Canada.
Flatbed transportation is a practical solution for freight that cannot be loaded into a standard enclosed trailer or requires loading from the top, side, or rear. The open deck allows cranes, forklifts, ramps, and other equipment to access the cargo during loading and unloading.
From construction equipment and fabricated steel to industrial machinery, agricultural equipment, generators, and other large or irregularly shaped freight, our flatbed trucking services are designed around the requirements of each shipment.
Whether you need a local flatbed move, long-distance transportation, or specialized flatbed equipment hauling, Heavy Haul Transporting can help coordinate the appropriate trailer and transportation plan.
Call (800) 579-4258 for a Free QuoteWhat Are Flatbed Transportation Services?
Flatbed transportation is a freight shipping method that uses a trailer with an open deck rather than an enclosed cargo area.
The open design makes flatbed trailers useful for freight that:
- Cannot fit inside a dry van
- Cannot be loaded through a conventional dock
- Requires top or side loading
- Is too tall for an enclosed trailer
- Has an unusual shape
- Requires loading with a crane or forklift
- Needs an open deck for securement
- Requires specialized heavy haul equipment
Flatbed transportation can accommodate a wide range of freight, from building materials and steel to heavy machinery and oversized equipment.
The appropriate trailer depends on the freight’s dimensions, weight, loading method, and transportation route.
Why Is Flatbed Shipping Useful?
One of the primary advantages of flatbed shipping is the accessibility provided by the open deck.
Unlike an enclosed trailer, a flatbed allows cargo to be loaded from multiple directions when site conditions permit. This can be particularly useful at construction sites, industrial facilities, manufacturing plants, farms, and locations without conventional loading docks.
Flatbed transportation can also provide flexibility for freight that is:
Heavy and oversized loads still need to be properly loaded, secured, and transported according to applicable requirements. Depending on the shipment, securement may involve chains, straps, dunnage, blocking, or other appropriate equipment.
Flatbed Trucking Services for Different Industries
Many industries depend on flatbed trucking companies to move equipment, materials, and specialized freight between project sites, facilities, warehouses, dealers, and customers.
Construction
Construction companies frequently use flatbed transportation for equipment and materials that cannot be handled efficiently through a standard loading dock.
Examples include excavators, backhoes, skid steers, cranes, scaffolding, lumber, steel beams, bricks, building materials, and construction machinery.
Manufacturing and Industrial
Manufacturing and industrial facilities may require flatbed transportation for large machinery, components, materials, and equipment.
Examples include CNC machines, generators, transformers, conveyors, fabricated steel, industrial machinery, tanks, refinery equipment, and raw materials.
Energy and Infrastructure
Large energy and infrastructure projects often involve equipment and components that require open-deck or specialized transportation.
Examples include turbines, towers, pipeline equipment, wind blades, generators, large structural components, and energy equipment.
Agriculture
Agricultural businesses may use flatbed transportation to move tractors, farm machinery, implements, and other equipment between farms, dealers, storage facilities, and project locations.
Military and Aerospace
Large military and aerospace components can require specialized transportation because of their dimensions, weight, shape, or loading requirements.
Depending on the shipment, flatbed or specialized heavy haul trailers may be used for aircraft components, military equipment, and other oversized freight.
Flatbed Trailer Options
Not every shipment should be transported on the same type of flatbed trailer. The trailer configuration should be selected based on the freight’s dimensions, weight, loading method, and route.
Heavy Haul Transporting provides access to several trailer configurations for flatbed and specialized transportation.
Standard Flatbed Trailers
Standard flatbed trailers provide an open, level deck and are commonly used for machinery, steel, building materials, equipment, and other freight that can be loaded onto an open platform.
Flatbed Trailers With Removable Sides
Some flatbed configurations can accommodate removable side structures when additional loading flexibility or cargo protection is required. These are useful when loading equipment with cranes or other material-handling equipment.
Step Deck Trailers
Step deck (drop deck) trailers have a lower deck than standard flatbeds, providing additional vertical clearance for taller freight and heavy equipment such as construction equipment, agricultural machinery, and industrial equipment.
RGN Trailers
RGN (Removable Gooseneck) trailers are commonly used for heavy equipment that can be driven or loaded onto the trailer. The detachable gooseneck can create a ramp for excavators, bulldozers, loaders, cranes, and other heavy machinery.
Lowboy Trailers
Lowboy trailers provide a low deck configuration that helps accommodate heavy equipment requiring additional vertical clearance. They are commonly used for construction and industrial machinery.
Stretch Trailers
Stretch trailers provide additional deck length for freight that is longer than a standard flatbed can accommodate, such as long structural components, equipment, and fabricated materials.
Double Drop Trailers
Double drop trailers feature a lower center section (well) that provides additional height clearance for tall or unusually shaped equipment. They are often used for heavy construction equipment and industrial machinery.
Flatbed Transportation for Oversized Loads
Some freight transported by flatbed exceeds standard legal size or weight limits. When this happens, the shipment may require additional transportation planning.
Depending on the load and route, oversized flatbed transportation may involve:
- Load measurement
- Weight verification
- Trailer selection
- Route planning
- Oversize permits
- Escort coordination
- Loading planning
- Securement planning
- Delivery-site coordination
Permit and escort requirements vary by jurisdiction and depend on the shipment’s dimensions, weight, vehicle configuration, and route. For specialized shipments, these requirements should be evaluated before the truck is dispatched.
Flatbed Load Securement
Because flatbed trailers do not have enclosed walls around the cargo, proper load securement is an important part of transportation.
Depending on the freight, securement can involve:
The appropriate securement method depends on the cargo, trailer, dimensions, weight, and applicable transportation requirements. Before transportation begins, the load should be properly positioned and secured for the planned route.
What Can Be Transported on a Flatbed?
Flatbed trailers can accommodate a wide range of freight. Examples include:
The appropriate trailer depends on the freight’s dimensions, weight, loading method, and route.
Flatbed Equipment Transportation
Heavy equipment often requires specialized flatbed or heavy haul transportation because it may be too large, heavy, or difficult to load using standard freight equipment.
Our flatbed equipment transportation services can support:
Construction Equipment
Excavators, backhoes, bulldozers, skid steers, cranes, loaders, and forklifts.
Industrial Equipment
CNC machines, generators, transformers, conveyors, tanks, refinery equipment, and fabricated machinery.
Agricultural Equipment
Tractors, farm machinery, agricultural implements, and harvesting equipment.
Specialized Freight
Towers, wind blades, pipeline components, steel, building materials, and large structural components.
For especially heavy or oversized equipment, an RGN, lowboy, double drop, or another specialized trailer may be more appropriate than a standard flatbed.
Flatbed Transportation Across the United States and Canada
Heavy Haul Transporting provides flatbed transportation in the United States and Canada.
Our transportation services can support:
- Local flatbed shipments
- Regional transportation
- Interstate freight
- Long-distance flatbed hauling
- Heavy equipment transportation
- Oversized freight transportation
- Multi-state transportation
- Specialized project transportation
Whether your freight is moving between nearby facilities or across the country, the transportation plan can be developed around the requirements of the shipment.
LTL and FTL Flatbed Transportation
Full Truckload (FTL)
FTL transportation dedicates the trailer to a shipment or project and can be appropriate when the freight requires the full trailer capacity or specialized handling.
Less-Than-Truckload (LTL)
LTL transportation may be suitable for smaller shipments that do not require an entire trailer, depending on the freight’s dimensions, weight, securement requirements, and compatibility with other cargo.
For oversized, heavy, fragile, or unusually shaped freight, dedicated transportation may be more appropriate.
Flatbed Transportation for Long-Distance Freight
Long-distance flatbed transportation requires planning beyond simply assigning a truck.
The transportation team may need to consider:
- Load dimensions
- Total weight
- Trailer configuration
- Route restrictions
- Bridge clearances
- Construction zones
- Permit requirements
- Escort requirements
- Pickup conditions
- Delivery access
- Load securement
For oversized shipments, the route should be evaluated before transportation begins.
How Our Flatbed Transportation Process Works
1
Provide Your Freight Details
Start by providing the pickup location, delivery location, freight description, dimensions, weight, and preferred shipping date.
2
Review the Load
The shipment is reviewed to determine whether a standard flatbed, step deck, RGN, lowboy, double drop, stretch trailer, or another configuration is appropriate.
3
Select the Trailer
The trailer is selected based on the actual dimensions, weight, loading method, and route requirements.
4
Plan the Route
For oversized or specialized freight, the route is evaluated for restrictions, clearances, construction, permits, and escort requirements.
5
Load and Secure the Freight
The freight is loaded and secured according to the requirements of the cargo and trailer.
6
Transport and Deliver
The shipment is transported according to the planned route and delivery schedule.
Why Choose Heavy Haul Transporting for Flatbed Transportation?
When selecting a flatbed transportation company, it is important to consider more than price.
Heavy and oversized flatbed freight may require specialized trailers, experienced load planning, route coordination, permits, securement, and communication throughout the shipment.
Heavy Haul Transporting provides:
- Flatbed transportation
- Flatbed equipment hauling
- Step deck transportation
- RGN transportation
- Lowboy transportation
- Double drop transportation
- Stretch trailer transportation
- Oversize load transportation
- Heavy equipment hauling
- Route planning
- Permit coordination
- Escort coordination
- Long-distance transportation
- United States and Canada coverage
Our transportation approach is based on the requirements of the individual shipment.
What Information Is Needed for a Flatbed Quote?
Providing complete freight information helps determine the appropriate trailer and transportation requirements.
For a flatbed transportation quote, provide:
- Pickup location
- Delivery location
- Freight type
- Length, Width, Height
- Weight
- Number of pieces
- Preferred pickup date
- Loading method
- Delivery requirements
- Photos of the freight
- Engineering documents when applicable
Accurate dimensions and weight are particularly important when the shipment is oversized or overweight.
Call (800) 579-4258 for a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions About Flatbed Transportation
What is flatbed transportation?
Flatbed transportation is a freight shipping method that uses an open-deck trailer. It is commonly used for equipment, machinery, steel, building materials, and freight that cannot be loaded into or handled easily by an enclosed trailer.
What types of freight can be transported on a flatbed?
Flatbed trailers can transport construction equipment, industrial machinery, agricultural equipment, steel, lumber, building materials, generators, fabricated components, towers, pipeline equipment, and many other types of open-deck freight.
When should I use a flatbed instead of a dry van?
A flatbed may be appropriate when freight cannot be loaded through a standard dock, needs to be loaded from the side or top, exceeds the available dimensions of an enclosed trailer, or has an unusual shape that requires an open deck.
What is the difference between a flatbed and a step deck?
A standard flatbed has one main deck height, while a step deck has a lower deck section. The lower deck of a step deck can provide additional vertical clearance for taller freight.
When is an RGN trailer used?
RGN trailers are commonly used for heavy equipment that can be driven or loaded onto the trailer. The removable gooseneck can create a loading ramp for suitable equipment.
Can flatbed trailers transport oversized loads?
Yes. Flatbed trailers can transport certain oversized loads, but the shipment may require specialized equipment, permits, route planning, escorts, and additional securement depending on its dimensions, weight, and route.
Do flatbed shipments require permits?
Not every flatbed shipment requires a permit. Permit requirements depend on the size, weight, vehicle configuration, route, and jurisdictions involved. Oversized or overweight shipments may require permits.
How much does flatbed transportation cost?
Flatbed transportation pricing depends on the freight type, distance, dimensions, weight, trailer configuration, route, permits, escorts, loading requirements, and delivery conditions. A quote requires specific shipment details.
Can you transport flatbed freight across the United States and Canada?
Yes. Heavy Haul Transporting provides flatbed and specialized transportation services throughout the United States and Canada.
How do I get a flatbed transportation quote?
Call (800) 579-4258 or submit the online quote form. Providing the pickup and delivery locations, freight type, dimensions, weight, photos, and preferred shipping date can help speed up the quoting process.
Get a Flatbed Transportation Quote
Whether you need to move construction equipment, industrial machinery, building materials, steel, agricultural equipment, or oversized freight, the right flatbed trailer and transportation plan can make the shipment easier to manage.
Heavy Haul Transporting provides flatbed transportation services throughout the United States and Canada, with specialized equipment available for standard, heavy, oversized, and difficult-to-load freight.
Call (800) 579-4258 for a Free Quote