Oversize shipping equipment

The undisputed people’s champion of fleet operations, flatbed trucks are an invaluable asset to a myriad of industries.

Flat bed trucks are fantastic large cargo and aver size vehicles that a standard shipping container will not carry. With an open, flat design, you can transport almost any thing think of by simply securing it to the platform.

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Curious about flatbed trucks and looking for answers to specific questions?

You have come to the right place. Inside this article, you’ll learn everything you would want to know about flatbed trucks.

We’ll explain to you:

• Flatbed Meaning

• How Long is a Flatbed Trailer?

• Flatbed Truck Dimensions

• Flatbed Truck Capacity

Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have any questions about flat bed trucks!

Flatbed Meaning

A flatbed truck is a truck that carries a flat trailer which is used to transport oversized and oddly shaped cargo. The flatbed meaning is a vehicle with a flat load-carrying area.

Flatbed truck sizes can vary in how big the cab and engine of the truck are, but what always stays the same is the flat trailer in tow which acts as a bed for large cargo.

Flatbed vs Regular Bed

There are two main types of beds for trucks: flatbeds and regular beds. Flatbeds are typically used for hauling large, bulky loads that wouldn’t fit well on a regular bed. Regular beds, on the other hand, are better suited for smaller loads or items that need to be securely fastened down.

When deciding which type of bed is right for your needs, it’s important to consider what you’ll be transporting and how you’ll need to transport it.

Flatbed Trucks Dimensions

• Length: 48′

• Width: 8′ 6″

• Height: 5′

• Load Height: 8′ 6″

• Total Height Limit with Cargo: 13′ 6″

Step deck

Here we break down step deck trailerdimensions. We have provided a video below that goes into more detail, but you can use these illustrated pictures to give you an idea as well. This first graphic explains the step deck trailer dimensions. It’s important to point out that a step deck’s trailer dimensions can vary on factors like make and model, tire sizes, etc. 

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The next graphic shows the legal hauling dimensions for a step deck trailer, but these can also vary by equipment and by states in which you’re hauling.

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In this video I go into more detail and further explain the step deck trailer dimensions.

RGN

The name for a Double Drop RGN or removable gooseneck is derived from its appearance of having the look of a goose’s neck. These trailer types are synonomous with the term double drop trailer or lowboy trailer, although not all double drops have a removable gooseneck.

A double drop has a drop in the front of the trailer and a drop in the rear of the trailer just in front of the tandem axles. This allows for a very low deck height allowing to take loads up to 12′ high legally. A fixed-neck trailer allows this trailer type to be loaded only from the either the side with a forklift or with a crane from overhead for example.

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On the other hand, a Double Drop RGN trailer allows for the front attachment to the trailer to be removed with the tractor providing a ramp onto the bottom deck. This feature allows for equipment that operates under its own power or on wheels that can be pushed or pulled to be driven onto the trailer via ramps. Once loaded the tractor backs up to the trailer and the RGN reattaches itself to the rest of the trailer. RGN trailers are therefore most often used to haul large construction equipment. The RGN trailers can have a mechanical vs hydraulic system, the first being cheaper and lighter weight and the latter having more weight and expense, but easier to use. RGN trailer’s can also come in a variety of lengths, axle configurations, and you may also see double drop trailer hauling oversize machines or buildings that require the height requirement of a double drop but not necessarily the RGN for loading purposes.