Most people picture a classic enclosed semi-trailer when they think of freight shipping. Walk through any industrial corridor in the St. Louis metro, past the steel fabricators, equipment dealers, lumber yards, and construction sites, and you’ll quickly realize that a large share of what needs to move simply doesn’t fit in a box. That’s where flatbed shipping comes in.

Flatbed trucking is one of the most widely used specialty freight modes in North America. For the right cargo, it’s often the only practical option. This guide covers what flatbed shipping is, when to use it, how it compares to dry van, and what you need to know to move open-deck freight safely and efficiently.

What is flatbed shipping?

A flatbed trailer is an open-deck platform with no sides or roof, just a flat, load-bearing surface on a wheeled chassis. Cargo is loaded from the top, sides, or rear, wherever access is easiest, then secured with straps, chains, binders, and tarps as required by the freight type and regulations.

The open design is flatbed’s defining advantage. It accommodates freight of virtually any shape, height, or width that a standard enclosed trailer cannot, making it the go-to mode for oversized, irregularly shaped, or heavy loads that require side or top loading.

What types of freight ship by flatbed?

• Construction and building materials: Lumber, rebar, steel beams, pre-cast concrete panels, roofing materials, piping, and conduit. These typically deliver directly to job sites that lack the dock infrastructure enclosed trailers require.
• Industrial equipment and machinery: Manufacturing equipment, agricultural machinery, generators, compressors, and industrial components that exceed enclosed trailer dimensions or require crane side-loading.
• Steel and metal products: Coiled steel, structural steel, plate steel, and metal fabrications. Steel coils require specialized equipment with cradles or coil racks to prevent rolling.
• Vehicles and mobile equipment: Excavators, bulldozers, forklifts, and skid steers, loaded by drive-on or crane placement. Step-deck or lowboy trailers handle equipment where height clearance is a concern.

Flatbed vs. dry van: which is right for your freight?

The choice comes down to the nature of your freight. Dry van is the right call when goods are palletized, standard-dimension, and need protection from weather and theft. Flatbed is typically the only option when freight is heavy, tall, wide, long, or irregularly shaped.

• Loading flexibility: Dry van loads from the rear dock door only. Flatbed loads from the top, rear, or either side, which is critical for job sites and industrial facilities without dock infrastructure.
• Cargo protection: Dry van provides full weather and security protection. Flatbed freight must be secured and tarped per commodity requirements, a reasonable trade-off for the loading flexibility.
• Rate and availability: Flatbed capacity is tighter than dry van. During peak construction season (spring and summer), rates climb significantly. Working with a 3PL with established flatbed carrier relationships, not just posting loads to a spot board, is the most reliable path to capacity.

Common flatbed trailer types

• Standard flatbed: 48 or 53 feet long, approximately 8.5 feet wide, deck height around 5 feet. Maximum legal payload around 48,000 pounds. The go-to trailer for most open-deck commodities.
• Step-deck (drop deck): Two deck levels with a lower main deck at around 3.5 feet, allowing taller freight to move legally without a permit. Common for tall equipment and oversized manufactured goods.
• Lowboy: Deck height of 18 to 24 inches, used for the tallest and heaviest equipment, including industrial machinery, construction equipment, and large transformers. Most lowboy moves require a permit and may require a pilot car escort.

Flatbed regulations: what shippers need to know

Flatbed freight is subject to federal and state regulations around securement, dimensions, and permits. The FMCSA Cargo Securement Rules specify the type and placement of tie-downs based on freight weight and dimensions. Improperly secured flatbed freight is a genuine road safety hazard, and violation fines are significant.

Shipments exceeding these thresholds require oversize or overweight permits:

• Width: over 8.5 feet
• Height: over 13.5 to 14 feet (varies by state)
• Length: over 53 feet
• Gross vehicle weight: over 80,000 pounds

Permitted moves may also require daylight-only travel, weekend restrictions, pilot cars, or law enforcement escorts. The Federal Highway Administration’s size and weight guidelines outline these thresholds by state. This is one of the clearest reasons to work with a 3PL experienced in specialized freight rather than managing it in-house.

How McClain & Associates manages flatbed freight

Our truckload services include a vetted network of flatbed specialists across the Midwest and nationwide. We match the right equipment to each load, including coil racks, tarps, chains, and tie-down systems, and we manage the securement and permitting requirements that come with it.

Our freight management team handles the full process for St. Louis-area manufacturers, contractors, and distributors:

• Carrier sourcing and qualification
• Securement verification
• Permit coordination for oversize or overweight loads
• Real-time tracking from pickup to delivery

If your business ships construction materials, industrial equipment, steel products, or large machinery, a 3PL with deep flatbed carrier relationships is essential to keeping freight moving reliably. Contact our team to discuss your open-deck freight needs.

Frequently asked questions

What is flatbed shipping?

Flatbed shipping uses an open-deck trailer with no sides or roof to transport freight that is oversized, irregularly shaped, or needs side or top loading. Common commodities include steel, lumber, machinery, construction equipment, and building materials.

When should I use flatbed instead of dry van?

Use flatbed when your freight is too tall, wide, or long for an enclosed trailer; when it must be loaded from the side or top with a crane or forklift; when it’s too heavy for a dry van floor; or when loading flexibility matters more than weather protection.

How much does flatbed shipping cost?

Flatbed rates are typically 10 to 25 percent higher than dry van on comparable lanes, reflecting tighter equipment availability and the additional labor for tarping and securement. Spring and summer typically bring the highest demand and rates.

What is the weight limit for a flatbed truck?

A standard flatbed can legally carry up to approximately 48,000 pounds of cargo, within the 80,000-pound federal gross vehicle weight limit. Heavier loads require overweight permits and may need specialized trailers such as lowboys or multi-axle equipment.

Do flatbed loads need to be tarped?

Tarping requirements depend on the commodity. Freight sensitive to moisture or road debris, such as finished steel, paper products, or equipment with electronics, must be tarped. Raw materials like rebar or structural steel often don’t require tarping. Your carrier or 3PL should advise based on your specific freight.

<p>The post Flatbed Shipping 101: Is It the Right Mode for Your Freight? first appeared on McClain & Associates Logistics & Warehousing.</p>