When it comes to shipping oversized or irregular freight, flatbed trucking is the go-to solution. Whether you’re transporting construction materials, machinery, or specialized equipment, flatbed trailers provide the flexibility needed to accommodate these unique loads. In this blog, we’ll explore the various types of flatbed trailers and how each offers specific solutions for your shipping challenges. By understanding which type of flatbed trucking fits your needs, you can ensure that your freight moves efficiently and safely.
Why Flatbed Trucking?
Flatbed trucking offers unmatched versatility for shipping freight that doesn’t conform to standard trailer dimensions or requires special handling. Unlike enclosed trailers, flatbeds provide an open design, allowing for easier access during loading and unloading. This makes them ideal for transporting large or irregularly shaped items, such as construction materials, machinery, or oversized equipment.
One of the main advantages of flatbed trucking is its ability to handle oversized loads, like steel beams or industrial machinery, which often exceed the height and width restrictions of traditional trailers. Flatbeds also excel when transporting freight that can’t be easily boxed or palletized, such as pipes or vehicles. The open structure of flatbed trailers allows cranes or forklifts to load the cargo quickly and efficiently from any direction, making the process faster and more flexible than with an enclosed trailer.
In short, flatbed trucking provides the perfect solution for transporting bulky, heavy, or irregularly shaped freight that requires easy access or extra space.
Trailer Types
1. Standard Flatbed Trailers
The standard flatbed is the most common type used in trucking. With a typical length of 48 to 53 feet, it offers a flat surface for transporting everything from construction materials to large equipment. The versatility of a standard flatbed makes it an ideal solution for many shippers.
Best Used For:
- Building materials (lumber, bricks, steel)
- Large machinery
- Palletized loads
2. Stepdeck Trailers
Stepdeck trailers, also known as drop deck trailers, have two levels. The upper deck is closer to the tractor, while the lower deck allows for taller freight that exceeds standard height restrictions. This design enables stepdecks to transport larger freight without needing a special permit.
Best Used For:
- Oversized equipment or vehicles
- Taller loads such as tractors or forklifts
- Loads requiring easier crane access
3. Removable Gooseneck (RGN) Trailers
An RGN trailer provides a solution for transporting heavy and tall equipment. The front gooseneck section detaches, allowing the trailer to drop to the ground and be loaded from the front. This type of flatbed trucking is crucial for shipping extremely large machinery, such as construction equipment, that can’t be easily lifted onto a trailer.
Best Used For:
- Extremely heavy machinery (bulldozers, cranes, etc.)
- Specialized industrial equipment
- Loads that need to be driven onto the trailer
4. Double Drop Trailers
The double drop trailer features a low deck in the center of the trailer. This “well” allows the trailer to carry loads that exceed standard height restrictions. Double drop trailers are perfect for moving oversized and tall freight, such as transformers, turbines, or large pipes.
Best Used For:
- Over-height freight (large tanks or wind turbines)
- Heavy machinery
- Large industrial components
5. Conestoga Trailers
Conestoga trailers come with a sliding tarp system that covers the flatbed, protecting the freight from weather while maintaining the flexibility of a flatbed design. It combines the best of both worlds: easy loading and unloading with protection from the elements. This is especially useful for sensitive freight that still requires side or top loading.
Best Used For:
- Freight sensitive to weather conditions
- Machinery requiring both protection and easy access
- Lumber or steel products with specific protection needs
6. Hotshot Trailers
Hotshot flatbed trailers are smaller and more nimble than traditional flatbeds, typically pulled by pickup trucks rather than large semi-trucks. They are ideal for time-sensitive, smaller loads that need to be transported quickly and efficiently. Hotshot trailers are often used for regional or local deliveries and offer flexibility in both the size of the load and the areas they can access, including residential or rural locations that may be harder to reach with larger trucks.
Best Used For:
- Time-sensitive freight
- Smaller equipment or machinery
- Cost saving for smaller shipments
Choosing the Right Flatbed Trucking Solution
Selecting the right flatbed trailer depends on the nature of your freight. Key factors to consider include size, weight, and any special loading requirements. By working with a knowledgeable third-party logistics (3PL) provider, like Becker Logistics, you can ensure that the right equipment is selected, and your shipment moves seamlessly from point A to point B.
Flatbed trucking offers a broad range of solutions, and each trailer type brings its own advantages. Whether you need an RGN for heavy equipment or a Conestoga for weather-sensitive freight, understanding the available options allows you to tailor your transportation strategy for success.
Flatbed trucking is a critical service for businesses across industries like construction, manufacturing, and agriculture. By choosing the right flatbed trailer type, you can meet your shipping needs efficiently and avoid potential delays or damage to your cargo. Becker Logistics provides flatbed trucking solutions that ensure on-time deliveries and reliable service, regardless of the load’s size or complexity.
If you’re looking for expert flatbed trucking solutions, contact Becker Logistics today to learn how we can support your freight needs with our diverse flatbed services.
