Essential Terminology for the Auto Transport Industry

What is a Flatbed Carrier?

A flatbed carrier is a vehicle specifically meant to carry large, unusually shaped, or massive loads that cannot be loaded on covered trailers. On the other hand, enclosed trailers are permanently constructed trailers with a roof and walls, while flatbed carriers are trailers with no roof and, on some occasions, no sides.

The Versatility of Flatbed Carriers

Hence, flatbed carriers play a crucial role in several industries because they can transport various kinds of freight. Some common types of cargo transported by flatbed airlines include:

• Construction Equipment: Tractors, drills, loaders, dumpers, graders, scrapers, and carrier’s bar’ machines like excavators, cranes, bulldozers, and the like would need more space than a flatbed.
• Agricultural Equipment: Large agricultural machinery like tractors, combines, and others often require flatbed carriers for transportation.
• Oversized and Overweight Cargo: Oversized or overweight vehicles, like wind turbine parts or industrial equipment, are well conveyed through flatbed trucks.
• Steel and Metal Products: Carriages and trucks transporting long steel beams, coils, and other bulky and heavy metal products are flatbed carriers.
• Timber and Lumber: Some common goods transported by flatbed carriers are logs, lumber, and all other wood products that must be transported at enormous distances.

The Challenges of Flatbed Transportation

Being one of the most flexible types of carriers, flatbed carriers come with certain complications. Transporting larger and heavier loads is not easy, and careful handling is emphasized owing to instances of shifting or damage. Also, the crowded environment influences cargo exposure to weather elements that may be detrimental to goods, thus requiring covering with a tarp or other means.

The Role of Flatbed Carriers in the Supply Chain

Thus, flatbed carriers are essential in the supply chain network since they help transport bulky and heavyweight items. That is why they are a must-have for industries that require carriage of oversized or specialized equipment and diverse types of cargo.

Therefore, flatbed carriers are and will continue to be an essential factor in the transportation industry as the industry unfolds by offering flexibility and capacity for bulky and complex goods.

Are you interested in the category of flatbeds and their kinds or the protective measures in flatbed transportation?