Flatbed truck trailers are a popular choice for shipping oversized or awkwardly shaped cargo that won’t fit into a standard container or truck. We’ve looked at flatbed shipping before on the DTS Blog, discussing what it is, how it works, and when you should use it. Today, we’re getting into deeper detail about different flatbed trailer types, what they look like, what industries use which kinds, and common cargo you can haul with each.
Let’s get into all the different flatbed trailer types.
These are some of the most common types of flatbed truck trailers, as well as the kinds of cargo and industries they’re used for.
A standard flatbed trailer features a level platform without a roof or sides. This can leave cargo exposed to the elements unless it’s covered by a protective material. Standard flatbed trailers usually measure 48 to 53 feet long and 8.5 feet wide. On standard flatbed trailers, cargo is usually secured with straps, chains, or tarps while in transit.
An RGN flatbed truck trailer has a detachable front section that allows it to drop to the ground for loading and unloading cargo. Due to their low profile, RGN trailers are designed to handle extremely heavy loads. Multiple axles (as many as 20) enable them to accommodate heavy cargo.
A drop deck flatbed truck trailer (sometimes called a step deck trailer) has two deck levels — a higher front section and a lower deck at the rear. The lower level allows drop decks to carry taller cargo than other flatbed trailer types. Drop deck trailers are typically 48 to 53 feet long and 8.5 feet wide.
Extendable flatbed trailers look similar to drop deck trailers with a taller front deck and a lower rear deck. Unlike standard drop decks, the rear deck of these flatbed truck trailers can extend to accommodate longer loads up to 80 feet long. They have a flat, open design without a roof or sides for protection.
Industries using extendable drop deck trailers:
Lowboy trailers have a much lower deck height than other flatbed trailer types at just 18 to 24 inches off the ground. Lowboys are often used to carry taller cargo that would be over-height on other types of trailers.
Industries using lowboy trailers:
Hotshot trailers are shorter than other flatbed trailer types. They are typically 20 to 40 feet long and towed by medium-duty trucks. Shippers often use hotshot trailers for smaller loads that need to be delivered quickly.
A Conestoga flatbed truck trailer features a system with a rolling tarp on a frame, which makes unloading and loading goods easier. Named after Conestoga wagons, covered wagons used in the 18th and 19th centuries, these trailers are designed to provide protection similar to a dry van while maintaining the flexibility of a flatbed.
These are flatbed trailers specifically designed to haul logs. The average log flatbed truck trailer is 40 to 53 feet long. Log trailers have robust side posts to help logs stay in place and support their weight. They’re designed with skeletal frames to avoid unnecessary weight and provide as much capacity as possible.
Side kit trailers include fortifying panels along both sides, usually made of fiberglass, steel, or plywood. They offer capacity for cargo weighing up to 42,000 to 45,000 lbs. Side kit trailers have no roof but can be covered with tarps to protect cargo. Side kit trailers are often used to ship freight that isn’t packaged or crated.
Understanding the different flatbed trailer types available can help you efficiently
ship cargo of varying shapes and sizes. But, finding carriers with the right trailers to suit your shipping needs can be difficult and time-consuming if you handle it all yourself.
At DTS, we have more than 30 years of shipping and logistics experience. We can be your trusted partner for reliable and efficient flatbed shipping. With our industry expertise and relationships with trusted carriers, we’ll make shipping more convenient than ever for your business.
For your free flatbed shipping quote, get in touch with our team today.
Whether you're a company looking to improve one facet of your supply chain, your entire supply chain, or simply looking for a transportation and logistics consultation, we can help.
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