Flatbed trailer is a versatile transport solution. It is a flexible and versatile type of trailer. It can be used for the transport of virtually anything as long as the cargo is the right size. From everything from heavy machinery to construction materials.
Flatbed trailers differ significantly from traditional enclosed trailers. This is mainly due to the fact that the cargo box of a flatbed trailer is an open design with no sides or roof. Because of this, flatbed trailers offer greater flexibility in transport. For example, this article on flatbed trailers vs. van trailers explains these differences well. This design of the flatbed trailer makes it a versatile transport solution for many types of cargo.
At Truckman, as a professional semi-trailer manufacturer in China, we can provide design as well as manufacture of flatbed trailers. In addition to this, we also offer a wide range of semi-trailers including low-bed trailers and rear tippers.
If you’re new to the transport industry or a pro, you may ask, “What can you haul on a flatbed trailer?” This article will answer that.
In this article, we will provide you with a detailed overview of the types of cargo that can be transported on a flatbed trailer to help you better determine if a flatbed trailer is right for your needs.
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Key Features of Flatbed Trailers
If you are thinking of buying a flatbed trailer, Truckman suggests you learn about its benefits and features. This will help you choose the right one.
Versatility: flatbed trailers are suitable for loading cargo of all shapes and sizes. This design offers advantages when transporting extra-long and extra-wide loads. It can provide a more flexible solution to complex transport tasks.
Loading and unloading: loading and unloading of this model is simpler, due to the absence of sides and roof. Therefore loading and unloading can be done from any direction. It is also ideally suited for loading with forklifts, cranes or other lifting equipment.
Cargo fixing: During transport, cargo can be fixed using fixing tools such as straps, chains and latches to prevent it from falling off. This type of fixing is relatively simple and effective at the same time. It is worth noting that 90 per cent of fixings are carried out by the transport driver.
Wide range of applications: as we mentioned above, the versatility of flatbed trailers makes this model play an important role in several industries. It is often used for the transport of building materials, equipment, vehicles, etc.
Types of Flatbed Trailers
There are 6 common types of flatbed trailers. Each type has a specific range of applications:
Standard Flatbed Trailers: The standard flatbed trailer is the most common type. It has an open platform and is suitable for transporting a variety of goods, including construction materials, equipment and vehicles.
Lowboy Trailers: Lowbed trailers have a low center of gravity. They are designed for transporting tall and heavy equipment such as excavators and cranes.
Detachable Gooseneck Trailers (RGN): Detachable gooseneck trailers allow unloading at the front end and are suitable for transporting heavy equipment and machinery.
Drop Deck Trailers: Drop Deck Trailers have a lower bottom to allow for taller loads and reduced hauling heights. Ideal for transporting construction materials and large equipment, providing more loading space.
Double Drop Trailers: Double Drop Trailers have two low areas in the center section and are suitable for transporting extra tall cargo. May not be suitable for shorter or wider loads due to design limitations.
Extendable Drop Deck Trailers:Extendable drop deck trailers are adjustable in length. They are for transporting extra-long cargo, like steel beams and pipes.
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8 types of goods that can be transported
Construction materials
Flatbed trailers play a vital role in the construction industry. They are often used to carry construction materials. Some of the common materials are bricks, steel beams, concrete, pipes and drywall. As there are more irregular shapes of construction materials, thus using this trailer type is the best option to meet the diverse needs of the construction site. However, during transportation, attention needs to be paid to balanced loading as well as the use of proper lashing tools to ensure safe transportation of goods.
Heavy Machinery
The transportation of heavy equipment requires a very high carrying capacity of the vehicle. Many customers will have this question, flatbed semi-trailer can carry oversized goods? The answer is: yes. This is because the flatbed trailer has an extremely strong carrying capacity and has long been used as the preferred machinery transportation solution for agricultural and construction equipment. At the same time, this vehicle can also be operated in a single operation to transport multiple pieces of equipment, which can greatly enhance the transportation efficiency. Flatbed trailers are often used in conjunction with cranes or other lifting equipment in order to load and unload these large pieces of equipment.
Vehicles
Flatbed trailers are ideal for transporting all types of vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, trucks and more. It is especially suited for vehicles that cannot be transported using an enclosed trailer. Due to the open platform used in flatbed trailers, loading and securing the vehicle is relatively simple. However, during transportation, the vehicle needs to be effectively secured to ensure stability and safety during transportation.
Metal Products
Flatbed trailers are ideally suited for the transportation of heavy metal products such as sheet metal, steel rods and coils. These goods are heavy in weight and irregular in shape.
Bulk Materials
Flatbed trailers are also widely used to transport bulk materials such as sand, gravel, soil and rock. These types of materials are usually packed in bags to prevent spilling or contamination during transportation. They can be secured with reinforced nets or covers to ensure stability during transportation.
Industrial equipment
Boilers, generators and other industrial machinery are among the important cargoes that flatbed trailers transport. And flatbed trailers provide enough carrying capacity and space to ensure that this equipment is safe and undamaged during transportation. The transportation of such equipment usually requires the use of special fixtures and brackets to place the equipment in a damaged condition.
Oil and gas rigs
Transportation of oil and gas rigs requires special attention, as these units are often large and complex. Flatbed trailers are designed and built with the capacity to meet this need, ensuring that the rigs are transported safely. There are specific safety and regulatory requirements that need to be met when using flatbed trailers to transport such equipment. Common ones are permits and markings for overweight and over-width loads to ensure compliance and avoid potential risks.
Landscaping Items
Landscaping projects often require the transportation of large trees, shrubs and other gardening equipment. This specially customized flatbed trailer provides enough space and flexibility to meet these transportation needs, especially for plants that need to keep their roots and branches intact.
Choosing the right flatbed trailer for your application
Flatbed trailers have become indispensable for transportation in a variety of industries due to their versatility and superior transport capabilities. From construction materials to heavy machinery, vehicles and industrial equipment, they can handle a wide range of transportation needs with ease.
At Truckman, we offer a full line of flatbed trailers to meet the needs of small, medium and large loads. Additionally, we support customized designs to ensure that we provide you with the ideal type of trailer to fit your specific application perfectly.
If you have any questions about the selection or use of flatbed trailers. Feel free to contact our engineers directly for professional advice. to suggest a more reasonable choice for your needs.