Flat Beds

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Flatbed Trailers: The Versatile Solution for Heavy-Duty Freight

Design and Features
This truck-and-trailer combination is highly versatile, capable of transporting some of the heaviest freight on the road compared to other types of trucks or vans.  A standard flatbed trailer measures between 48 and 53 feet in length, 102 inches in width, and 110 inches in height, with up to six axles. Unlike 53-foot dry vans, flatbed trailers are completely open and exposed to external temperatures and weather, making it more challenging—but not impossible—to shield freight from the elements. However, with proper tarping and securement techniques, flatbed trailers remain a reliable option for transporting oversized or irregularly shaped cargo. 

Capabilities
A standard 53-foot tractor-trailer offers a load capacity of up to 48,000 pounds, though this may vary depending on the type of flatbed trailer, providing significant cost efficiency for shipments. The maximum cargo height for flatbed trailers depends on the bed height, with the combined height of the trailer and cargo generally not exceeding 162 inches. Typically, flatbed trailers sit 5 feet off the ground and use equipment such as lumber, steel tarps, winch straps, transport chains, and binders to secure cargo safely.

As long as your freight is non-hazardous, non-perishable, and not temperature-sensitive, a 53-foot flatbed trailer is an excellent choice for expedited cross-country, interstate, and intrastate transportation.