Flatbed.

What it is

A flatbed is an open trailer with no walls or roof, typically 48 or 53 feet long. Freight covers lumber, steel, machinery, building materials, construction equipment, and oversized loads — anything that needs top-loading, side-loading, or won't fit in an enclosed trailer. The work requires real tarping and securement skills: chains, ratchet straps, V-boards, edge protectors, and dunnage to protect both the load and the trailer.

Specialized variants extend the flatbed family. A step-deck drops 18 inches behind the kingpin to handle taller loads under bridge clearances. A double-drop has a lower well between the gooseneck and rear wheels for very tall loads (excavators, transformers). A Conestoga uses a sliding curtain system that gives flatbed flexibility with weather protection — popular for high-value machinery and aerospace freight.

Why it matters for trucking finance

Flatbed pays higher rate per mile than dry van or reefer because of the skill requirements and operational hazard. Insurance pricing runs higher: cargo securement risk is real, and physical hazards (loading and unloading falls, dropped loads) drive workers' comp and liability premiums. Lenders treat flatbed financing similarly to dry van but pay close attention to operator experience — first-time operators face tighter underwriting because flatbed errors (lost loads, damage claims, securement failures) are common and expensive.

Related terms

• Dry Van — Standard enclosed trailer (53-foot box) for non-perishable, non-temperature-controlled freight; the most common trailer type in trucking.
• Reefer — Refrigerated trailer (or the freight that requires temperature control); standard equipment for hauling produce, frozen goods, and pharma.
• Hot-Shot Trucking — Time-sensitive freight hauled by light- or medium-duty pickups with goosenecks, typically Class 3–5 trucks running expedited LTL loads.

Related Dispatched products

• Equipment financing
• Commercial trucking insurance