Flatbed shipping is when freight is transported on an open trailer and is commonly used when the material being shipped does not need to be protected from the elements, although tarps can be laid down to offer some protection. Additionally, flatbed shipping is used for over-dimensional freight and overweight freight. Flatbed shipping is used heavily within the metal and construction industries.
When requesting a quote for your flatbed freight it is important to include a couple of key things so that there are no surprises along the way. As always, you want to include the origin, destination, and total weight but you also want to make sure to include the dimensions of what is being shipped as well as any kind of special loading provisions, this is so that there are no surprises along the way and the delivery goes smoothly for everyone.
Flatbed has a lot of variations, there are many types of flatbed trailers and they all have their situations that they are used for. Listed below are some of the more common special flatbed variations:
- Step Deck – A step deck flatbed trailer is when the trailer drops down after 10 feet or so, this allows you to ship over-dimensional freight that would otherwise be too tall to ship.
- Double Drop – A double drop trailer allows for taller shipments. A double drop trailer dips down below the axles in between the wheels which means it can get very low.
- Removable Gooseneck (RGN) – Removable gooseneck trailers or RGNs are trailers that can be shifted so that the cargo can be rolled off or so that a vehicle can drive up onto the trailer.
- Conestoga – A conestoga trailer is a flatbed/dry van hybrid. A conestoga is a flatbed trailer with an accordion-like tarp on one of the ends, which allows you to load the trailer like a flatbed but then you can unscrunch the tarp which then completely protects the shipment from the elements.
Know how your cargo is going to loaded and unloaded, will a rigging crew be needed? Crane? These are all price important questions that you should keep in mind when looking around for a flatbed truck provider. Additionally, you should know if and how your shipment needs to be tarped and secured. Overall, you just want to be sure to communicate as much information as possible with the logistics company you are working with, this ensures that there will be no surprises along the way.