Flatbed and specialized transportation service is another of the many different truckload and less-than-truckload (LTL) services we provide. In our history we have provided service to haul items ranging from stock steel commodities to moving machinery that weighs 180,000 lbs, 13 feet high and 14 feet wide from Michigan to California. We provide service that requires flatbeds, single-drop, double-drop and multi-axle and expandable trailers.
Determining Which Service You Need
There are a multitude of reasons for using flatbeds as opposed to enclosed trailers. The most common are your items are too bulky to be handled by forklifts and tow motors either by weight or size or some combination of the two. This usually results in the need to load from the ground (as opposed to a platform dock) to approach and load the trailer form the side or the assistance of an overhead crane. Either way you cannot use an enclosed trailer because the walls or roofs of enclosed trailers restrict access to safely loading and unloading your item to be shipped.
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT
Providing you with the best service and price combination is important to everyone. There are many different factors that go into determining the best possible outcome to achieve this goal. If you are not familiar with shipping as it relates to using these types of trailers then you should read up on these topics.
We'll start with Flatbeds and work our way down to Specialized
Flatbed Trailer Length - As is the same with enclosed dry van and climate control trailers the standard length of flatbeds are 45 feet, 48 feet and 53 feet. The most common and representing about 75% of the aggregate capacity on the US highways is the 48-foot trailer. 45-foot trailers make up about 20% and 53-footers make up the remaining 5%.
Flatbed Trailer Width - The width of a Flatbed or any trailer, in 95% of the cases for that matter is, 102" outside width. There still are some older trailers, both enclosed and open that are 96". The difference in the case of an open trailer is the 102" of width is also the cargo carrying width, unlike enclosed trailer width. This means you can actually load cargo that is 102" wide and legally transport them. If your single unit shipping item exceeds 102" in width and length, you should read the section on specialized width.
Flatbed Trailer Height - The height of a standard flatbed is, well, infinite. It has no roof. However, the maximum height your cargo can be on most flatbeds, today is 8 ft. to 8 ft. 6 in. The reason for the variance is some trailers made by some manufacturers are slightly higher than others. You may have never really noticed it, but some have decks that arc upward higher than others in the middle. It has to do with the structural integrity of the design. It gets complicated from there. The thing to really keep in mind throughout these different sections on height is, the overall height of your cargo, combined with the height of the deck of the trailer is to make sure we do not exceed 13ft and a couple inches more. If your cargo exceeds this height, scroll down a little more to the StepDeck section.
StepDeck Length - StepDecks are made a little funny looking compared to a regular flatbed. StepDecks have a cargo deck that steps down after it clears the rear wheels of the tractor pulling it. This has two effects on the deck. It has an upper deck that is 10 - 12 feet long and a lower deck that is 36 - 38ft long. The combination of the two decks is 48ft of deck space. Though there are some that are up to 53 ft in overall combined length they are not that common and usually command a higher price.
StepDeck Width - The width of the StepDeck trailer is that of the same cargo capacity width of the Flatbed, 102". If your single unit shipping item is larger than 102" in width see the section on specialized width.
StepDeck Height - StepDecks are made to accommodate shipments that are in excess of 8ft. 4in. and up to 10ft in height. Recalling that 13ft. 6in. watermark we're trying not to avoid. If your shipment exceeds 10ft in height see the text on Double Drop Trailers.
Double Drop Trailer Length and Height - Double Drop trailers, like their stepdeck brethren, are also built to accommodate taller shipments. They can carry cargo with a shipping height of 12ft. To the right you see the image of such a trailer. The distance from the ground up to the top of the lower, middle deck is 18 inches. You see, though, that your are limited in length to 28 feet for that clearance. That's the case with about 80% of these trailers. There are some that are made to handle up to 29 feet in that space. The front, upper deck is generally 12 feet in length and can accommodate a height of roughly 8ft 4in in cargo. The rear, upper deck is generally 8 feet in length. If your single unit shipping item is 12ft tall, or taller,and requires more than 29 feet you should see the section on specialized length.
Double Drop Width - These are the same in width as the others in this section, 102". If your single unit shipping item exceeds 102" in width you should see the section on specialized width.
General Rules And Guidelines - Generally speaking, you cannot create and over-dimensional shipment by putting two, or more, divisible pieces of cargo on the deck of a trailer, such that they exceed the following:
1.) They exceed roughly 12 feet in height - you can't stack multiple pieces on top of one another on a trailer in such a manner.
2.) They exceed 102" in width - you can't put multiple pieces, side-by-side on a trailer.
3.) They exceed 50 feet in length - you can't put multiple pieces back-to-back on a trailer in such a manner.
4.) They exceed roughly 47,000 lbs (give or take 1,000 lbs.) - you can't put multiple pieces on a trailer that exceed that weight
If you have a single, indivisible piece of cargo that exceeds those 4 general parameters than you need what is referred to as a specialized piece of equipment to transport such items.
If your items are divisible you will require the use if additional trailers to accommodate the safe and lawful transport or your items.
The reason we have such laws is a matter of public safety. We would be increasing the risk of harm or injury to public highway safety.
There are many, many differently configured trailers to accommodate some of the most unusual items. If you have an item like this we would recommend you contact us.
1-800-551-9399 or theadrick@automatedlogistics.com
