Should You Use Flatbed Freight Services for Oversized Shipment
Several industries, including construction, industrial, automotive, and military, rely on freight transportation to move their equipment and supplies to their destination. Since many of these goods are oversized and are oddly formed, they don’t fit the size of a standard truck. Fortunately, flatbed freight transportation resolves these issues.
What is Flatbed Shipping?
Flatbed shipping is a method to move cargo, using flatbed trucks carrying heavy and oversized equipment, including cranes and forklifts. Because these trucks don’t have walls, even oversized freight fits.
Flatbed truck measurements vary depending on the specific truck and trucking type. But, 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 to 11 feet. Flatbed trucks carrying loads wider than 11 feet may need an escort vehicle.
The flatbed freight market is usually project-based with seasonal demand. Because industries using it often slow down in winter months, the demand for flatbed freight becomes normal at the end of the year. It’s because companies usually need to finish shipping materials for projects before the holiday closures and before snow covers routes that slow down shipping.
What Items Can Be Delivered with a Flatbed Truck?
Flatbed trucks can ship almost everything, except items that elements can easily damage since these vehicles are uncovered.
The most usual items 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, including 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.
Benefits of Flatbed Freight
Aside from higher import demands, construction activities on the rise, booming oil and drilling, and other reasons, flatbed freight has benefits that’s why more industries are using it. There are:
1. Easy Loading and Unloading of Freight
Because flatbed trucks are uncovered or have no blocky wall, you don’t need to stress about obstacles. You can quickly fit your products and utilize a forklift to load them up. It allows you total freedom on what to put, even the most oversized items.
2. Unloading without the Need of a Loading Dock
Flatbed trucking services do not have any limitations when it comes to a loading dock. Your shipment can be delivered anywhere by the transportation company, like residential neighborhoods, large construction sites, etc.
3. Secure and Safe Transport
Transporting cargo through flatbed trucks is much safer and more secure since the items are exposed. But to avoid shifting during transport, experts use chains, coil racks, traps, etc., so that your freight will reach its destination without scratches.
4. Flatbed Trucking Providers Allow Different Materials and Size
A flatbed truck allows 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. Thus, you can save from shipping costs and speed up the delivery time. Furthermore, 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 expense of flatbed shipping services depends on the country you’re residing in and where you are shipping to. The cost is affected by several factors such as:
- How far are the loading and unloading points
- If it needs loading and unloading equipment like a loading platform or a crane
- The need for extra services like chains and tarps
- Any fees and permits that your freight requires from local and national government offices
- The kind of flatbed truck you need
- The weight and size of your load
To maximize the advantages of flatbed truck services, it’s always best to work with experts who guarantee your freight’s timely shipment and safety. With their service, you can be assured that your shipment is safe and arrives on time. Moreover, it’s essential to know the type of flatbed trailers. On top of these, before booking, know the measurements, weight, commodity, and value of your shipment.
If you’re on the watch for professional flatbed shipping services, check out Ship Interlane. Their top-notch flatbed transport uses specialized flatbed vehicles designed to carry even your most overs-sized equipment.
