Flatbed Shipping Guide: What You Need to Know
Flatbed trucking is one of the most versatile ways to move freight. From steel beams and lumber to oversized machinery, flatbeds are built for freight that simply won’t fit in a standard dry van. But flatbed shipping also comes with unique requirements — from safety regulations to cost factors — that every shipper should understand.
At X Logistics LLC, we help companies book flatbed shipments every day, ensuring the right equipment, securement, and carriers are lined up so freight moves safely and on time.
🔹 What is Flatbed Shipping?
Flatbed shipping uses trailers with no sides or roof, making it easier to load and unload freight of unusual size or shape. Freight is usually loaded by crane or forklift and secured with straps, tarps, or chains.
Common Uses for Flatbed Freight:
Steel, pipe, and lumber
Construction equipment and materials
Oversized machinery
Large or awkwardly shaped loads
🔹 Types of Flatbed Trailers
Not all flatbeds are the same. The right trailer depends on your freight’s size, weight, and dimensions.
Standard Flatbed: Most common, 48–53 ft trailers used for general freight.
Step Deck (Drop Deck): Allows taller freight by lowering the trailer deck.
Double Drop: Designed for very tall or oversized freight, often with a “well” in the middle.
Conestoga: Flatbed with a rolling tarp system for weather protection.
🔹 Safety & Securement Basics
Flatbed freight requires strict safety measures:
Loads must be secured with chains, straps, and tarps as required by DOT regulations.
Improperly secured loads risk fines, delays, and accidents.
Experienced carriers know how to handle specialty securement — choosing the wrong one can be costly.
🔹 Cost Factors for Flatbed Freight
Flatbed rates vary based on several factors:
Distance: Longer hauls cost more.
Size & Weight: Oversized freight often requires special permits.
Escort Vehicles: For very large loads, pilot cars may be mandatory.
Market Demand: Seasonal demand (construction season, harvest season) impacts pricing.
🔹 Why Use a Broker for Flatbed Shipping
Flatbed capacity can be tricky. One carrier may not always have the right trailer available exactly when you need it. That’s where X Logistics LLC makes the difference:
We work with trusted flatbed carriers nationwide.
We find the right trailer for your load without you making dozens of calls.
We track and manage every shipment from pickup to delivery.
We ensure freight is properly secured and compliant with all regulations.
✅ Final Takeaway
Flatbed shipping is essential for oversized or heavy freight, but it comes with unique challenges. Choosing the wrong carrier or equipment can lead to costly mistakes.
At X Logistics LLC, we take the guesswork out of flatbed freight by matching your shipment with the right equipment, carrier, and securement plan — every time.
👉 Need a flatbed shipment covered? Request a Quote Today.
