Numerous industries like construction, industrial, automotive, and military count on freight transport to carry their equipment and supplies to their destination. Because most of these supplies are extra-large and are unusually shaped, they don’t fit the size of a regular truck. Fortunately, flatbed freight transportation can resolve these issues.
What is Flatbed Shipping?
Flatbed shipping is a method to transfer cargo, using flatbed trucks that can carry heavy and oversized equipment, such as cranes and forklifts. Because these trucks do not have walls, any large freight fits.
Flatbed truck dimensions vary depending on the specific truck and trucking type. However, tractor-trailer-sized flatbeds are typically between 48 feet and 53 feet long, and the standard width is 8 feet and 6 inches, though this can extend up to 11 feet. Flatbed trucks carrying loads broader than 11 feet may require an escort vehicle.
The flatbed freight market is generally project-based with seasonal demands. Since industries using it typically slow down in winter months, the demand for flatbed freight becomes normal at the end of the year. Companies often need to complete shipping materials for projects before the holiday closures and before snow covers routes that affect shipping.
What Products Can Be Shipped with a Flatbed Truck?
Flatbed trucks can ship almost anything, with the exception of items that elements can easily damage because they’re uncovered.
The most common things that are shipped using flatbed shipping include:
- 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: 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
In addition to rising import demands, increased building and construction activities, booming oil and drilling, flatbed freight has advantages that’s why more industries are using it. These are some of these:
1. Easy Loading and Unloading of Freight
Since flatbed trucks are exposed or have no boxy wall, you do not need to stress over obstacles. You can quickly fit your items and utilize a forklift to load them up. It gives you total flexibility on what to put, even the most oversized items.
2. Unloading without the Need of a Loading Dock
Flatbed trucking services don’t have any restrictions when it comes to a loading dock. Your items can be delivered anywhere by the transportation company, including residential neighborhoods, large construction sites, and others.
3. Secure and Safe Transport
Moving cargo through flatbed trucks is safer and more secure because the items are exposed. To avoid shifting throughout transportation, specialists use chains, coil racks, traps, and others so that your freight will arrive at its location unscathed.
4. Flatbed Trucking Services Allow Different Products and Size
A flatbed truck enables you to transfer a high volume of various materials in one shipment. This is helpful for moving oddly-shaped cargo, especially for those in the construction industry. Because of this, you can save from shipping costs and speed up the delivery time. In addition, flatbed shipping allows you to transport large shipments even if it doesn’t occupy the entire space of the truck.
Is Flatbed Shipping Expensive?
The cost of flatbed freight depends on the country you’re residing in and where you are delivering to. The expense is affected by several aspects such as:
- How far is the loading and unloading points
- The need for loading and unloading equipment like a loading platform or a crane
- The need for additional services like chains and tarps
- Any fees and permits that your cargo requires from local and national government offices
- The type of flatbed truck you need
- The weight and size of your load
To minimize your expenses on shipping through flatbed truck services, it’s always best to deal with specialists who ensure your freight’s prompt delivery and safety. Also, it helps if you know the kind of flatbed trailers. Lastly, before scheduling, ensure to know the dimensions, weight, product, and worth of your delivery.
If you’re looking for professional flatbed shipping services, check out Ship Interlane. They can ship your cargo anywhere in the country and outside, including the USA and Mexico, utilizing their FB vehicles, designed for any cargo size. If your shipment is not so much for flatbed shipping, you can go for less-than-truck-load or LTL services.
