Flatbed Freight Routing
Looking for a reliable, cost-effective way to route Flatbed Freight? Look no further than TLI – the Omni-modal freight broker. With our team of experts, have confidence in routing freight.
Get a QuoteFlatbed Freight
What is a Flatbed?
A flatbed trailer is an open trailer where a shipper has access to all sides for loading / unloading. The equipment allows for irregular, oversized, or unusual cargo to be placed on a truck. While flatbeds offer flexibility in loading, freight must be properly secured and kept within legal size and weight limits.
Flatbed Dimensions
Industry standard dimensions are:
- 48′ Long
- 102″ Wide
- 110″ Legal Height
- Max Weight of 48,000 lbs
Most flatbed carriers provide tarps, straps, and other equipment needed to properly secure freight. As a general rule, freight should not exceed 9 feet in height without considering permitting and route restrictions. This is because the combined height of the trailer and cargo is generally limited to 13 feet 6 inches in many states. Height limits can vary by state and route, however, and specialized trailers may be available to safely and legally transport taller or oversized freight.
Why use a Flatbed?
Flatbeds provide more practical loading for items that cannot be loaded into the back of a trailer. This includes construction materials, machinery, piping, and other items that require side loading.
Hotshot Trailers
Hot Shot trailers are a smaller type of Flatbed Trailer. These trailers are typically hauled by a heavy-duty pickup truck and vary in size from 20’ to 40’ long. Hot shot trailers are great to utilize for smaller, short haul shipments to get freight to project sites.
Benefits of Booking Flatbed Shipments with TLI
Loadability
The trailers allow for irregular freight to load easier. Long piping or construction machinery is a great example. These materials are tough to load / unload in a Dry Van.
Weight Limit
Due to less equipment infrastructure, flatbeds can withstand a bit more weight than an enclosed trailer. This allows more weight to be held on the trailer by about 4,000 lbs.
Dedicated Options
Flatbed trailers most commonly run as a dedicated option. The options are done through truckload carriers that pickup at point A and deliver at point B. You can share space with a Partial Truckload.
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Routing Freight with TLI
Benefits to Routing Flatbed Freight with TLI
Flatbed Carrier Network
TLI has an extensive network of flatbed carriers. With the ability to pull rates from less-than-truckload, spot markets, and contract markets, TLI ensures that your freight is covered.
Vetting Process
Through industry-leading vetting technology, TLI can vet out potential flatbed carriers and offer continual monitor. Ensuring that only the best carriers are given freight.
Experienced Experts
TLI has more than three decades of experience routing flatbed freight. Our team includes transportation professionals with both asset-based and freight brokerage backgrounds, including specialists who focus specifically on flatbed transportation. This experience gives shippers access to practical industry knowledge when selecting carriers, equipment, securement requirements, and routing options for their freight.
Different Solutions
Find the flatbed solution that works best for your freight. TLI provides reliable flatbed transportation as a standard service, with flexible options for specialized equipment, oversized loads, tarping, securement, and other requirements when needed.
