Most Common Uses of Flatbed Trucks

• Feb 13- 2018

Because reputable flatbed transportation companies maintain a quality fleet of trucks and utilize state-of-the-art equipment for loading and unloading, they offer customers a unique service. With flatbed trucks, cargo gets loaded from the tops and sides. Also, with a continuously flat surface, this method of transporting goods is more versatile than others. For those reasons, flatbed transportation trucks accommodate all kinds of freight. But before getting into the details about what are flatbed trucks used for, let’s understand-

What is a Flatbed Truck

A flatbed truck is a vehicle with an open, flat platform instead of an enclosed trailer, designed for transporting large, heavy, or irregularly-shaped cargo. Its open bed allows for easy loading and unloading, making it ideal for construction materials, equipment, oversized loads, and other bulk items.

What Are Flatbed Trucks Used For?

In looking at the most common uses of flatbed trucks, you can see the value that this transportation method provides. Following are some examples of what flatbed transportation carriers accommodate, or what are flatbed trucks used for, although there are many others.

• Building and Construction Materials – Along with metal piping, I-Beams, steel frames, concrete, and various other construction materials, a flatbed truck transports large and heavy equipment, including backhoes, cranes, bobcats, and so on. This type of transportation also handles bricks, lumber, scaffolding, scrap metal, and even prefabricated materials. When using trusses, building and construction that would not fit inside of an enclosed box trailer hang over the edge of a flatbed.
• Landscaping Materials – With an average bed length of 12 to 20 feet, a flatbed is perfect for transporting all kinds of landscaping materials, including mature trees, lumber, tools, and equipment. As an example of why this transportation method is so beneficial, consider hauling mature trees. The only way to transport these trees in an enclosed truck is by laying them down, which could easily cause damage. In comparison, the trees stand upright on a flatbed, thereby eliminating any risk.
• Baled Tires – Every year, millions of tires get stockpiled in North America. Along with a lot of waste, the tires create a breeding ground for vermin and insects and create a fire hazard. Baled tires, which are automobile tires banded together with wire, get transported on flatbed tires for use as road fill, erosion control, retaining walls, impact barriers, and more. Considering that a single bale, which is equivalent to 100 tires, weighs roughly one ton, flatbed services are the only viable option.
• Equipment Hauling – Flatbed transportation trucks are ideal for large and heavy equipment used by ranchers, farmers, the military, and the aerospace and aviation industries. Using a flatbed for the transportation of airplane parts, military tanks, Humvees, and other equipment is safer than other options out there.
• Bulk Liquids and Containers – While tankers are typically used for liquid transportation, some bulk liquid containers or totes that don’t require a fully enclosed space can be securely transported on flatbed transport trucks. This includes portable liquid tanks or intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) used in agriculture, construction, and industrial applications. Flatbeds also allow easy loading and unloading, particularly for bulky or large volumes.
• Utility Poles and Pipes – Utility poles, sewer pipes, and large PVC pipes, which are used in infrastructure projects, are often transported using flatbeds. These items, due to their length and bulk, are challenging to load into traditional trailers and are best suited for the open, accessible design of a flatbed truck.
• Vehicles and Machinery – Flatbeds are widely used to transport various vehicles, from cars to heavy machinery, like bulldozers or excavators, when they need to be moved between job sites. The flatbed’s open design facilitates secure strapping and even distribution of weight, which is essential for safe transit.
• Oversized and Irregular Loads – When cargo exceeds standard dimensions, such as large storage tanks, wind turbine blades, or industrial HVAC systems, a flatbed provides the necessary flexibility. Unlike enclosed trailers, flatbeds accommodate loads that may overhang, ensuring safe, stable, and compliant transport of irregularly shaped items.

For peace of mind in getting your freight delivered, you can count on us. At MGA International Logistics, we offer a host of transportation solutions, including flatbeds. Visit us online or call to speak with a company representative to learn more.

Related Blogs –

Industries That Rely on Flatbed Trucking
Flatbed Trucking – The preferred method of transport for construction materials
Flatbed Trailers: A versatile solution when transporting construction equipment
Flatbed Trucking: Weighing the benefits
Domestic Shipping Vs. International Shipping