What is a Flatbed Truck? (2024)

A flatbed truck is a large vehicle with a flat body and no sides or roof around the bed. Typically, these types of trucks are used to transport heavy loads that won't be compromised in bad weather or on rough roads. Their unique bed design is ideal for loads that would be too wide for a truck with an enclosed body. Drivers can load them quickly and easily with use of forklifts and other like types of equipment. All flatbed trucks are not the same, however. There are a variety of styles and sizes available.

Flatbed

Because flatbed trucks are so versatile, they are one of the most commonly used types of trucks, reports Great Western Transportation. You can load this type of truck from any angle, making it an important player in the trucking industry. This truck's maximum weight and dimensions are:

Freight weight: 48,000 pounds
Width: 8 feet 6 inches
Height: 8 feet 6 inches

You'll see this truck being used for abnormally sized or shaped cargo, constructional steelwork, and machinery.

Step Deck

Step deck, also known as drop deck, trailers have top and bottom decks. They are used for cargo that is too tall or wide to fit onto a standard flatbed. Great Western Transportation shares this truck's weight and dimensions:

Max freight weight: 48,000 pounds
Bottom deck length: 37 feet
Top deck length: 11 feet
Width: 8 feet 6 inches
Bottom deck height: 10 feet

Because the load will ride lower in this type of truck, it can still pass under low bridges, even with a tall load. Loading ramps often make it easy to get on and off the bed when you're at ground level.

Extendable Flatbeds

T&P Trucking tells us that extendable flatbeds are also sometimes called flatbed stretch trailers. These extendable trailers are used for transporting cargo that is too long to fit on a standard flatbed. The maximum legal weight and dimensions for this truck are:

Stretch Single-Drop Deck

The stretch single-drop deck is similar to the extendable flatbed, but it is also a drop deck. So just as the extendable flatbed can extend, the stretch deck can stretch to accommodate freight that is too long for a standard step deck. This means it can legally carry loads that a standard drop deck can't. Its legal weight and dimensions are:

Maximum freight weight: 45,000 pounds
Main deck minimum length: 35 feet
Main deck maximum length: 63 feet
Width: 8 feet 6 inches
Height: 10 feet
Front deck length: 10 feet

You can attach a bulkhead to the front of a stretch single-drop deck to secure large loads. This will protect freight from coming loose in hard braking situations. The goal is to have the cargo bend and go over the cab of the truck instead of into it.

Double Drop

With a double drop trailer, you can load oversize freight. It can handle items that are more than 10 feet tall. In addition to a front and back deck, Trucking Truth explains that these trailers have a well in the middle that can accommodate tall freight. This well usually ranges from 25 to 29 feet long. The weight and dimensions for this trailer are:

Maximum freight weight: 36,000 to 42,000 pounds
Main deck length: 25 feet to 29 feet
Main deck width: 8 feet 6 inches
Main deck height: 11 feet 6 inches
Front deck length: 10 feet
Front deck width: 8 feet 6 inches
Front deck height: 8 feet 6 inches
Rear deck length: 9 feet
Rear deck width: 8 feet 6 inches
Rear deck height: 10 feet

The well does shorten the space you have for loading cargo. Additionally, this type of trailer is usually used to carry freight that must be loaded and unloaded using a crane.

RGN

According to T&P Trucking, RGN stands for removable gooseneck trailer. These versatile trailers can be used for tall and long loads as well as for hauling large machinery. You can detach this trailer, allowing it to be dropped to the ground. It turns the front of the trailer into a ramp you can use to drive heavy machinery right up onto the deck. You'll be able to carry freight with the following weight and dimensions:

Maximum freight weight: 42,000 pounds
Main deck length: 29 feet
Main deck width: 8 feet 6 inches
Main deck height: 11 feet 6 inches
Front deck length: 10 feet
Front deck width: 8 feet 6 inches
Front deck height: 8 feet 6 inches
Rear deck length: 9 feet
Rear deck width: 8 feet 6 inches
Rear deck height: 10 feet

You'll find these trailers are designed with anywhere from three axles up to as many as 20, which helps them deliver incredible payloads.

Side-Kit

Side-kit trailers have panels, curved metal spines that are shaped like bows, and stakes around the perimeter of the bed. This gives it some structure so you can attach tarps to it as needed, creating a trailer that can protect cargo that is sensitive to exposure. Its dimensions and weight limits are:

Maximum freight weight: 45,000 pounds
Length: 48 or 53 feet
Width: 8 feet 4 inches
Height: 8 feet 6 inches

Lowboys

When you have cargo that's too tall for even a step deck to handle, you'll need to call on a lowboy trailer. This type of trailer resembles a step deck, only it could be called a double drop, as it sits even lower than a standard drop deck trailer. Lowboys sit only 18 inches off the ground, meaning they can accommodate freight that requires a clearance height of up to 11 feet 6 inches.

Not all flatbed trucks are created equal. This guide should help you determine the flatbed you need to properly haul your cargo.

Information and research in this article verified by ASE-certified Master Technician Duane Sayaloune of YourMechanic.com. For any feedback or correction requests please contact us at research@caranddriver.com.

Sources:

https://www.gwtrans.com/flatbed-trucking-trailers/

https://www.tptrucking.ca/2016/08/understanding-trailer-types/

https://www.truckingtruth.com/wiki/topic-38/flatbed-trailers

https://www.caranddriver.com/research/a31267512/towing-capacity/

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a27285778/how-long-do-brakes-last/