Flatbed Trailer VS. Lowbed Trailer–Flatbed trailers or lowbed trailers are two common types of transport; flatbed trailers are the most common type, while lowbed trailers are designed and built to accommodate special transport needs. The construction, manufacturing, engineering, transport, and other industries play an essential role. Truckman Automobile often meets customers who will ask, what is the difference between a flatbed truck and a low-plate truck? Let’s take a look at what the specific differences are.
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Flatbed and Lowbed Trailer Concepts
Flatbed and lowbed trailers are important freight carriers in everyday life, and their design features allow them to meet the needs of transporting different goods.
Flatbed trailers
A flatbed trailer is a fenceless freight carrier developed with a relatively flat area. Non-standard-sized cargo, such as in various sizes and shapes, can be quickly loaded. The relatively flat loading area provides a convenient and flexible transport solution for many goods. It is a widely used type of trailer today. To ensure that every transport is safe and efficient, see our guide on how to load a flatbed semi-trailer safely!
Low-bed trailer
The low flatbed trailer is an upgrade of the flatbed trailer, with a softer and more rigid chassis, mainly the front and rear of the car in the middle of the plate design for the sinking plate. It dramatically reduces the transport height of the whole vehicle. It is suitable for the logistics transport of unique goods such as ultra-high.
Load Capacity
Flatbed trucks, as a wide-ranging means of transport, have a relatively wide range of load capacity, generally between 20,000 lbs (approx. 9 tonnes) and 60,000 lbs (approx. 27 tonnes). Depending on the power, the number of axles varies, and Truckman Automobile offers 2/3/4 axle flatbed trailers to meet the different carrying weights of our customers. Therefore, when choosing a flatbed trailer, it is essential to make sure that you select the type of vehicle that is consistent with your current transport needs.
Lowbed trailers, on the other hand, are specially designed for the transport of ultra-high and ultra-heavy objects and are known for their high-strength construction, capable of carrying hundreds of tonnes of heavy loads, which makes them ideal for large equipment as well as heavy loads such as building structures.
Limitations
Although both models are incredibly versatile, they have certain limitations, so it is essential to be aware before purchasing.
Flatbed trailers cannot transport liquids or bulk goods due to their flat design. In adverse weather conditions, cargo can be exposed and require additional protection to ensure safe transport.
Whereas low-bed trailers are usually larger and require more powerful towing equipment, their maneuverability on the road may be limited. When choosing a low-bed trailer, it is essential to ensure that the road conditions and transport routes meet their specific needs.
To help you get a more complete picture of what to expect when renting and buying a low bed trailer, you can refer to our detailed guide: a comprehensive guide to renting and buying a low bed trailer.
Areas of application
Flatbed and low-bed trucks have unique applications in different fields, providing critical logistical support for construction, manufacturing, engineering, and other industries. However, there are subtle differences in their specific areas of application.
Flatbed trucks
Construction: Flatbed trucks are used in the construction industry to transport all kinds of building materials, such as steel, concrete slabs, timber, etc. The flat design and spacious loading platform make it easy to carry building components of all shapes and sizes, thus ensuring the safe transport of materials.
Manufacturing: The production process involves large machines, equipment, components, and finished products that must be transported between factories or workstations. The flexibility of the flatbed truck makes it possible to move this equipment from one location to another quickly and efficiently.
Flexibility and versatility: Flatbed trucks are also favored because of their extreme flexibility and versatility. Whether transporting construction materials, agricultural equipment, or other goods, flatbeds can do it all easily. They can also be equipped with additional equipment, such as guardrails, tie-downs, etc., to ensure the safety of the goods during transport.
low-bed trucks
Engineering: Low-bed trucks are commonly used in the engineering industry to transport oversized construction equipment, such as excavators and bulldozers. Due to the large size and weight of such equipment, the load capacity of low-bed trucks makes them the best choice for transporting them to the construction site safely and efficiently. Find out why Construction Equipment Prefers Low-Bed Semi-Trailers for transportation at Why Construction Equipment Prefers Low-Bed Semi-Trailers?
Heavy Equipment Transport: Low-bed trucks transport significant components such as equipment, steel structures, and bridge members. The ability of low-bed trucks to lower the cargo to ground level reduces the complexity and risk of the loading and unloading process.
Special cargo transport: Special cargo may include non-standard-sized equipment, engineering structures, or other special requirements. The layout and design of the low-bed truck make it possible to transport such special loads safely and stably, guaranteeing their integrity and safety.
Transport costs and efficiency
Both models have advantages in terms of transport costs and efficiency, catering for the transport of large equipment and small and medium-sized cargoes, offering different transport solutions.
Flatbed trailer transport is faster and more flexible than rail or air transport. They are more economical in terms of transport costs. And the coverage is extensive.
And low-flatbed trailers are excellent for large equipment transport. Traditional transport methods, such as exceptional or post-assembly, can involve high costs and complex operations. And low-bed trailer transport is an excellent solution to this problem. It has a higher economy.
Conclusion
Among the two types of freight carriers, flatbed and lowbed trailers, each has unique features and advantages for different transport needs. Therefore, it is crucial to choose the proper means of transport according to the specific requirements. We recommend selecting a flatbed truck if you need to transport small or medium-sized goods and want to be more cost-effective. However, a low-bed truck will be your best choice if you are dealing with very large or heavy cargo or need extra security.
Suppose you are still considering choosing a flatbed or low-bed trailer. In that case, you can contact the engineers at Truckman Automobile, where we are always committed to providing the highest quality transport solutions. We are offering outstanding product quality and professional service.
When it comes to transporting oversized cargo, it’s important to know the carrying capacity of a flatbed semi-trailer. If you’re wondering if a flatbed semi-trailer is capable of carrying oversized cargo, you can refer to our detailed guide Can Flatbed Semi-Trailers Carry Oversized Cargo, which will help you make more informed transport decisions.
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