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The Ultimate Guide to Flatbed and Step-Deck Trucking

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  • GLI Dispatch Services
  • July 30, 2025

The Ultimate Guide to Flatbed and Step-Deck Trucking

Flatbed and step-deck trucking play a vital role in freight transportation across North America. These open-deck trailer types are indispensable for moving oversized, irregular, or heavy cargo that can’t fit inside standard dry van trailers. Whether you are a shipper planning your next heavy haul or a carrier looking to expand your equipment options, understanding the ins and outs of flatbed and step-deck trucking can help you make informed, cost-effective decisions.

What is Flatbed Trucking?

Flatbed trucking refers to freight transportation using trailers that have no enclosed sides or roof. A standard flatbed trailer typically measures 48 to 53 feet in length and about 8.5 feet in width, allowing for a maximum freight height of up to 8 feet 6 inches without requiring special permits.

Key Characteristics:

  • Open platform with easy loading from any side or top
  • Commonly used for hauling construction materials, steel coils, heavy machinery, and palletized cargo
  • Requires proper tarping and securement for protection and stability

Flatbeds are highly versatile and ideal for transporting freight that cannot be easily loaded into a dry van trailer due to size, shape, or lack of loading docks.

Differences Between Flatbed and Step-Deck Trailers

Feature

Flatbed TrailerStep-Deck Trailer
Deck TypeSingle-levelTwo-level (upper/lower)
Max Legal Height8 ft 6 inUp to 10 ft (lower deck)
Ideal ForLumber, pipe, pallet freightTall machinery, vehicles
Ramp LoadingNot idealExcellent option
VersatilityHighSpecialized

Choosing between the two depends on your cargo dimensions, loading methods, and route restrictions.

Common Types of Freight Moved

Flatbed and step-deck trailers are favored in industries requiring transport of bulky or non-containerized loads. Examples include:

  • Construction Materials: Lumber, drywall, insulation, concrete beams
  • Steel and Metals: Coils, rebar, sheet metal
  • Machinery and Equipment: Excavators, cranes, farm implements
  • Vehicles: Tractors, buses, forklifts (often moved on step-decks)
  • Oversized Fabrications: Prefabricated buildings, tanks, piping systems

Open-deck trailers allow for easier handling, especially when cranes or forklifts are used for loading/unloading.

Advantages of Flatbed and Step-Deck Trucking

1. Versatility
Open-deck trailers handle freight of varying shapes and sizes that don’t fit into enclosed containers.
2. Ease of Loading and Unloading
Freight can be loaded from the sides or top, accommodating sites without docks.
3. Specialized Capability
Step-decks and other open-deck variants can be tailored to the load’s requirements—whether it’s added height, ramps, or additional axle support.
4. Higher Pay for Carriers
Because open-deck transport requires more skill and specialized equipment, carriers often command higher rates compared to dry van freight.

Load Securement and Safety Considerations

Securing freight is critical in flatbed and step-deck operations. DOT regulations mandate that loads be firmly immobilized to prevent shifting.

Key Equipment:

  • Chains and binders
  • Ratchet straps
  • Dunnage (wood blocks)
  • Edge protectors
  • Tarps for weather protection

Securement protocols vary depending on the cargo. Improperly secured freight not only risks load damage but also violates safety regulations and can cause severe accidents.

Understanding Legal Requirements and Permits

Many states regulate the size and weight of freight that can be moved without permits. Common legal thresholds include:

  • Width: 8 feet 6 inches
  • Height: 13 feet 6 inches
  • Length: 48 to 53 feet
  • Weight: 80,000 lbs gross vehicle weight

Exceeding these limits requires oversize/overweight permits, which vary by state and may require pilot escorts, specific travel times, and alternate routes.

Equipment Options Beyond Flatbed and Step-Deck

While flatbeds and step-decks are the most common open-deck trailers, there are several other configurations worth noting:

  • Double Drop Trailers: For extremely tall cargo needing extra clearance
  • Removable Gooseneck (RGN): Allows equipment to be driven onto the trailer
  • Stretch Trailers: Extendable decks for long loads like wind turbine blades
  • Conestoga Trailers: Flatbed with retractable covers for added protection

Choosing the right trailer depends on freight dimensions, handling requirements, and route conditions.

Who Uses Flatbed and Step-Deck Services?

These trailers are vital across multiple industries, including:

  • Construction and Infrastructure
  • Manufacturing and Fabrication
  • Energy and Mining
  • Agriculture and Forestry

Shippers in these sectors often work closely with brokers or third-party logistics (3PL) providers to source equipment and manage the complexities of open-deck transportation.

Market Trends and Seasonality

Demand for flatbed and step-deck trucking often follows seasonal patterns:

  • Spring-Summer: Peak season due to construction booms
  • Winter: Specialized freight such as road salt and heating equipment
  • Regional Cycles: Agriculture, oil and gas, and industrial projects vary by state

Fuel prices, infrastructure funding, and manufacturing output also influence market dynamics.

Tips for Shippers

1. Provide Complete Load Information: Dimensions, weight, loading method, and special instructions

2. Book Early for Oversize Loads: Permit processing can take time

3. Ensure Safe Access: Loading/unloading sites should be accessible for large vehicles

4. Partner with Specialists: Experienced carriers or brokers can streamline the process and ensure regulatory compliance

Tips for Carriers and Owner-Operators

1. Invest in Quality Equipment: Reliable trailers and securement tools reduce risk

2. Stay Informed on Regulations: State DOT requirements frequently change

3. Develop Strong Broker Relationships: Reliable freight sources reduce downtime

4. Use Load Boards Strategically: Platforms like DAT, Truckstop, and others offer valuable visibility

Final Thoughts

Flatbed and step-deck trucking represent a specialized, high-demand segment of the freight industry. Their open design, flexibility, and capacity for oversized loads make them essential for critical infrastructure, heavy manufacturing, and large-scale construction. Whether you’re a shipper seeking efficient freight solutions or a carrier building your niche in the trucking world, understanding these trailers’ capabilities, safety protocols, and market dynamics is key to long-term success.

For businesses aiming to optimize freight operations, partnering with experienced logistics professionals like GLI Truck Dispatch Services to manage your dispatching operations and maintaining a strong knowledge of open-deck transportation will deliver both reliability and recurring loads from shippers that use flatbed or step deck operators on a daily basis.

GLI Truck Dispatch Services offers one of the best truck dispatch services to owner operators and carriers across USA. We offer other back-office solutions such as compliance and accounting to carriers in addition to our truck dispatch services to help our carriers succeed in this competitive yet rewarding trucking industry. At GLI, our truck dispatchers don’t just dispatch, they go the extra mile to help build relationships to help carriers grow their business. Its where professionalism meets quality. Visit www.glitruckdispatchservices.com to learn more about our processes and how our method of truck dispatching can help you succeed and grow your business. 

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