Flatbed Shipping

If you require transportation for large or heavy items, flatbed shipping may be the ideal solution. But with so many flatbed trucking companies to choose from, how do you know which one is right for your needs?

What Is Flatbed Shipping?

Flatbed shipping is a type of transportation in which goods are loaded onto a flatbed trailer for transport. Flatbed trailers have no sides or roof, which allows for easy loading and unloading of large and heavy items.

Flatbed shipping is often used for oversized or unusual shipments that cannot be transported using a standard trailer.

What Do Flatbed Trucks Carry?

Flatbed freight trucks can be used to transport a variety of items whatever their size, shape, or weight. Some common items that are transported using a flatbed trailer include:

1. Machinery

A flatbed trailer is often used to transport construction equipment, agricultural machinery, and other types of large or heavy machinery. This is very convenient if you need to transport your machinery to a job site or another location.

2. Building Materials

If you’re in the construction business, you probably know that flatbed freight trailers are often used to hauling loads of building materials such as lumber, steel, and concrete. These flatbed trucks can easily accommodate large and heavy loads of construction materials, making them ideal for construction projects.

3. Pipelines

Pipelines are another common item that is transported using a flatbed trailer. If you need to transport a pipeline, a flatbed freight truck is an ideal solution.

4. Vehicles

A flatbed trailer can also be used to transport different types of vehicles, whether they’re new cars being delivered to a dealership or used cars being transported to a scrapyard.

5. Oversized Loads

Oversized loads are frequently transported using a flatbed trailer. Flatbed shipments can accommodate items that are too large or heavy to be transported using a standard trailer.

Benefits of Flatbed Freight Shipping

Now that you know what flatbed shipping is and what it’s used for, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of this type of transportation.

1. Flexibility

One of the main benefits of flatbed freight shipping is that it’s very flexible. You can transport almost anything using a flatbed trailer, which makes it ideal for a wide range of shipments.

2. Safe and Secure

Another benefit of flatbed shipping is that it’s safe and secure. Your shipment will be well-protected while it’s being transported on a flatbed trailer. Additionally, during a flatbed shipment, the truck is equipped with straps and other securing devices to ensure that your shipment doesn’t shift during transport.

3. Cost-Effective

Flatbed shipping is also a cost-effective solution for transporting large and heavy items. When you compare flatbed shipping rates with other shipping options, you’ll find that flatbed services are often the most affordable option.

4. Easy Loading and Unloading

Unlike the other types of freight shipping like LTL freight shipping, flatbed trailers have no sides or roof. This makes loading and unloading a breeze, especially for large and heavy items.

Drawbacks of Flatbed Shipping

Aside from the benefits, there are also some drawbacks to flatbed transportation that you should be aware of.

1. Difficult to Find

Flatbed trucking companies can be difficult to find, as they are not as common as other types of trucking companies.

Flatbed shipping also requires specialized equipment, which means that not all companies in the trucking industry offer this service. If you’re looking for flatbed shipping services, make sure to choose the best flatbed transportation company that has the necessary equipment to transport your shipment.

2. Inclement Weather

Another downside of flatbed transportation is that it’s not suitable for inclement weather conditions. If your shipment needs to be transported in bad weather, it’s best to choose another shipping method.

Types of Flatbed Trailers

It is also important to know that there are different types of flatbed trailers, as this will affect the kind of shipment you can transport. Here is a list of the different types of flatbed trailers:

1. Standard Flatbed Trailer

A standard flatbed trailer is the most common type of flatbed trailer. It is typically used to transport construction materials, vehicles, and other types of large shipments.

2. Drop-Deck Flatbed Trailer

A drop-deck flatbed truck or trailer is similar to a standard flatbed, but it has a lower deck that makes it easier to load and unload items. This type of flatbed trailer is often used to transport vehicles and other heavy loads.

3. Extendable Flatbed Trailer

An extendable flatbed truck, as the name suggests, can be extended to accommodate longer shipments. This type of flatbed transport trailer is often used to transport oversized loads that are too long for a standard trailer.

4. Multi-Axle Flatbed Trailer

A multi-axle flatbed trailer is a trailer that has multiple axles. This type of trailer is often used to transport extremely heavy loads, which require more support.

5. Removable Gooseneck Trailers

Removable gooseneck trailers have a detachable neck that can be removed for loading and unloading. This is very convenient if you need to transport tall or bulky items.

How to Find the Best Flatbed Trucking Company

Choosing the right flatbed trucking company is essential to ensuring your goods are safely and efficiently transported. When searching for a flatbed trucking company, keep these factors in mind to find the best company for your needs.

1. Reputation

The company’s reputation is one of the most important factors you should take into consideration when choosing a flatbed trucking company. Make sure to check online reviews and testimonials to get an idea of the company’s reputation.

2. Experience

It is also important to choose a company that has extensive experience in flatbed shipping. This will ensure that your shipment will be transported safely and securely.

We, at Value Truck, have been around this industry for over 20 years, and we offer full-service logistics in five different areas: 3 in the US and 2 in Mexico.

3. Insurance

Make sure that the company you choose has sufficient insurance to cover any damages that may occur during transport.

4. Equipment

As mentioned earlier, flatbed shipping requires specialized equipment. Make sure that the company you choose has the necessary equipment to transport your shipment.

5. Rates

Transportation costs are one of the most important factors you should take into consideration when choosing a flatbed trucking company. Make sure to compare rates from different companies to ensure that you’re getting the best deal.

6. Availability

Make sure the flatbed trucking company you choose has the availability to transport your goods when you need them to.

At Value Truck, we are always available to transport your goods. You can also visit our offices for a faster transaction.

Other Freight Shipping Options

In addition to flatbed shipping, there are other types of freight shipping options available:

1. LTL Shipping

LTL shipping is a type of freight shipping that involves sending smaller shipments. This is a good option if you don’t have a large shipment to send.

2. FTL Shipping

If you are sending larger shipments then FTL shipping would be a better option. FTL shipping involves sending full truckloads of goods.

3. Intermodal Shipping

Intermodal shipping involves using multiple types of transportation, such as trucks, trains, and ships. This is a good option if you need to transport your goods over long distances.

How Can Value Truck Help You With Flatbed Shipping?

It is now time to get your load on the road with our Flatbed Shipping services. At Value Truck, we understand that your time is valuable and that you need a shipping service that can provide you with the results that you need without any delays.

Here are also the shipping solutions we offer:

Real-time GPS tracking of all our shipments so that you can always know where your goods are.
Network of dropped trailer pools across the country to make sure that your goods are always where they need to be.
Team of dedicated customer service representatives who will work with you to ensure that your shipment is handled properly from start to finish.
Online document management so that you can always access your documents when you need them.
Cross-border and transloading services to make sure that your goods are properly handled and delivered to their destination even if you ship goods across borders.