What Freight Do Flatbeds Haul? Top Commodities & How to Find Them
Flatbed trailers haul everything that cannot fit in an enclosed trailer or needs to be loaded from the top or sides. From steel coils to construction equipment to military vehicles, flatbed freight is diverse and each commodity has its own loading, securement, and rate characteristics. This guide covers the top flatbed commodities, how each one loads, what equipment you need, and where to find these loads.
7+
Major Commodity Types
$2.50-4.00+
Rate Range Per Mile
Steel
#1 Flatbed Commodity
Year-Round
Flatbed Freight Available
Ahmad Qazi
Founder & CEO, O Trucking LLC
Fact-Checked by O Trucking Dispatch Team
5+ years dispatching flatbed freight across all major commodity types and regional markets
Written by Ahmad Qazi, founder of O Trucking LLC, drawing on 9+ years dispatching for owner-operators. Learn more about us.
O TruckingWhat Freight Do Flatbeds Haul? Top Commodities & How to Find Them
Key Takeaways
- Steel (coils, beams, plate, rebar) is the #1 flatbed commodity by volume and revenue; lumber and forest products are second.
- Securement varies by commodity: steel and machinery need Grade 70 chains, while lumber and building materials typically use straps with edge protectors.
- Tarping depends on the freight — lumber and building materials almost always require tarps, while machinery, military equipment, and most steel ride untarped.
- Steel, machinery, pipe, and military freight move year-round; lumber and building materials peak from spring through fall with construction.
- The highest-paying flatbed niches are oversized machinery, metal coils, military contracts, and storm/utility work — specializing beats chasing general spot freight.
Steel & Coils
Steel is the number-one flatbed commodity by volume and revenue. It includes steel coils, beams, plate, rebar, sheet metal, structural steel, and finished steel products. Steel hauling pays a premium because it is heavy, requires chains (not straps), and demands specialized securement knowledge.
Steel Hauling Details
Loading & Securement:
- + Loaded by crane or forklift at mills/service centers
- + Grade 70 chains required (straps not sufficient)
- + Coils require coil racks or cradles (FMCSA 393.120)
- + Edge protectors needed for all chain contact points
- + Weight: 20,000-48,000 lbs per load
Revenue Details:
- + Avg rate: $2.80-3.50/mile
- + Tarping: sometimes (smoke tarp for coils)
- + Year-round availability from mills
- + Concentrated in Upper Midwest (OH, IN, PA)
- + Many steel shippers offer contract rates
Steel Coils Have Their Own FMCSA Rules
Lumber & Forest Products
Lumber is the second most common flatbed commodity. It includes dimensional lumber, plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), engineered wood, trusses, and raw timber. Lumber freight is highly seasonal, peaking during spring and summer construction season.
Lumber Hauling Details
Loading & Securement:
- + Loaded by forklift at lumber yards/mills
- + Straps or chains with edge protectors
- + FMCSA 393.116 lumber-specific rules apply
- + Must be chocked or staked to prevent lateral movement
- + Weight: 38,000-48,000 lbs per load
Revenue Details:
- + Avg rate: $2.50-2.80/mile
- + Tarping: almost always required (lumber tarps)
- + Peak season: April-September
- + Concentrated in Pacific NW, Southeast
- + Tarp pay: $75-150 per stop (standard)
Lumber Is the Best Commodity to Learn Flatbed
Machinery & Equipment
Machinery includes construction equipment (excavators, loaders, skid steers), farm equipment (tractors, implements), industrial machinery (generators, compressors, manufacturing equipment), and vehicles. Machinery loads pay well because they often require specialized securement and sometimes permits.
Machinery Hauling Details
Loading & Securement:
- + Loaded by crane, driven on (step deck), or forklift
- + Chains required (must secure rolling/tracked equipment)
- + FMCSA 393.130 applies to wheeled/tracked equipment
- + All movable parts must be locked/secured
- + May need oversized permits for tall equipment
Revenue Details:
- + Avg rate: $2.80-3.50/mile (standard); $3.50-6.00+ (oversized)
- + Tarping: rarely (most equipment is weather-resistant)
- + Available year-round, peaks in construction season
- + Often requires step deck for taller equipment
- + Pickup at job sites, dealerships, and auctions
Building Materials
Building materials cover a broad category: concrete products, drywall, roofing materials, brick, block, insulation, siding, windows, doors, and palletized construction supplies. These loads are typically moderate weight and almost always require tarping.
Building Material Details
Loading & Securement:
- + Loaded by forklift at distribution centers
- + Straps with edge protectors typically sufficient
- + Lumber tarps required for weather protection
- + Multiple stops common (several deliveries per load)
- + Weight: 30,000-44,000 lbs per load
Revenue Details:
- + Avg rate: $2.40-2.70/mile
- + Tarping: usually required
- + Heavy seasonal demand (spring-fall)
- + Available nationwide near construction zones
- + Multi-stop loads require extra planning
Pipe & Tubing
Pipe and tubing includes steel pipe, PVC pipe, concrete pipe, and specialty tubing for oil & gas, water infrastructure, and construction. Pipe loads require careful securement because of the rolling risk — FMCSA has specific rules for round articles.
Pipe Hauling Details
Loading & Securement:
- + Loaded by crane at pipe yards
- + Chocks and cradles required to prevent rolling
- + FMCSA 393.118 applies to concrete pipe
- + Each tier must be independently secured
- + Stakes or blocking for lateral containment
Revenue Details:
- + Avg rate: $2.60-3.00/mile
- + Tarping: sometimes (depends on pipe type)
- + Concentrated in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana (oil & gas)
- + Infrastructure projects create demand nationwide
- + Multi-stop deliveries common on construction projects
Military Equipment
Military equipment transport includes vehicles (Humvees, trucks, trailers), generators, mobile shelters, communication equipment, and other defense-related freight. These loads typically pay premium rates because they involve government contracts, strict pickup/delivery requirements, and sometimes security clearances.
Military Hauling Details
Loading & Requirements:
- + Loading at military bases (may require base access)
- + Chain securement for vehicles and tracked equipment
- + Strict delivery windows (government contracts)
- + May require background checks or clearances
- + Precise weight documentation required
Revenue Details:
- + Avg rate: $3.00-4.00+/mile
- + Tarping: rarely required
- + Government payment is reliable but slow (Net 45+)
- + Routes to/from military installations nationwide
- + Contract freight — not typically on load boards
Getting Military Freight
Other Flatbed Commodities
Beyond the major categories above, flatbeds haul a wide variety of additional freight:
Concrete Products
Pre-cast concrete walls, barriers, vaults, and utility products. Heavy and requires chain securement. Rate: $2.60-3.00/mile.
Vehicles & Heavy Trucks
Utility vehicles, work trucks, specialty vehicles that cannot be driven. Rate: $2.50-3.50/mile depending on size and quantity.
Agricultural Equipment
Tractors, combines, implements, irrigation equipment. Seasonal (spring planting, fall harvest). Rate: $2.70-3.50/mile.
Tanks & Containers
Empty storage tanks, shipping containers, and industrial vessels. Require chain securement and blocking. Rate: $2.50-3.00/mile.
Power/Utility Equipment
Transformers, utility poles, generators, electrical equipment. Often emergency/storm work with premium rates. Rate: $2.80-4.00+/mile.
Signs & Barriers
Highway signs, guardrails, traffic barriers, and construction zone equipment. Seasonal with road construction. Rate: $2.40-2.80/mile.
How to Find Flatbed Loads by Commodity
Different commodities are found through different channels. Here is where to look for each type of flatbed freight:
Load Boards (All Commodities)
DAT and Truckstop have flatbed freight from every commodity type. Filter by equipment type and search for specific commodity keywords. See our best flatbed load board guide.
Direct Shipper Relationships (Steel, Lumber)
Steel service centers, lumber yards, and mills are the best sources for consistent, high-paying flatbed freight. Build relationships by delivering reliably, communicating well, and being available when they need capacity.
Flatbed-Focused Brokers (All Commodities)
Some freight brokers specialize in flatbed freight. They have relationships with shippers in specific commodity niches (steel, construction, equipment) and can provide consistent loads in those verticals.
Dispatch Service (All Commodities)
A flatbed-experienced dispatch service has established relationships with shippers and brokers across all commodity types. They find loads, negotiate rates, and handle paperwork so you can focus on driving and securement.
Specialize to Earn More
How Our Dispatch Team Finds Flatbed Freight
At O Trucking LLC, we dispatch across all flatbed commodity types. Our team knows steel lanes, lumber markets, equipment hauling, and every other flatbed niche:
Commodity-specific rate knowledge — We know what steel pays vs lumber vs equipment in every lane. We negotiate accordingly, ensuring our carriers get top-of-market rates for their specific commodity.
Equipment requirements communicated upfront — Before booking, we confirm exactly what securement and tarping equipment is needed. No surprises at pickup.
Broker vetting on every load — We check broker credit before booking. Flatbed loads are higher-value, making broker vetting even more important.
Flatbed Commodity Comparison at a Glance
Use this table to compare the major flatbed commodities side by side. Rate ranges are typical spot-market figures and vary by lane, season, and freight market conditions — always confirm the live rate before booking. See our flatbed rates per mile guide for current rate guidance.
| Commodity | Securement | Tarping | Typical Rate/Mile | Seasonality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel & Coils | Chains, coil racks | Sometimes | $2.80–3.50 | Year-round |
| Lumber | Straps, edge protectors | Almost always | $2.50–2.80 | Peaks Apr–Sep |
| Machinery | Chains, wheel/track tie-downs | Rarely | $2.80–3.50+ | Year-round |
| Building Materials | Straps, edge protectors | Usually | $2.40–2.70 | Peaks spring–fall |
| Pipe & Tubing | Chocks, cradles, blocking | Sometimes | $2.60–3.00 | Year-round |
| Military Equipment | Chains, documentation | Rarely | $3.00–4.00+ | Year-round |
Common Flatbed Freight Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking a commodity you cannot legally secure. Steel coils, machinery, pipe, and concrete each have their own FMCSA securement rules — taking the load before you have the right chains, racks, chocks, or edge protectors leads to failed inspections and out-of-service violations.
- Forgetting to confirm tarping at booking. Lumber and building materials almost always need tarps and tarp pay. Find out before you book, not at the dock.
- Chasing high posted rates on specialized freight you cannot service. Oversized machinery may need permits and a step deck; military freight may need base access or clearances. Confirm requirements first.
- Skipping broker vetting. Flatbed loads are higher-value, so an unpaid invoice hurts more. Check broker credit before every booking.
Flatbed Freight Types FAQ
What is the most common flatbed freight?
Steel is the number-one flatbed commodity by both volume and revenue. It includes coils, beams, plate, rebar, sheet, and structural steel. Lumber and forest products are the second most common. Together, steel and lumber make up a large share of the flatbed loads posted on load boards on any given day.
Which flatbed loads pay the most?
Premium-paying flatbed freight is usually heavy, oversized, or specialized: steel and metal coils (chains and coil-securement knowledge required), machinery and construction equipment (especially oversized loads needing permits), military equipment under government contracts, and storm/utility work such as transformers and poles. Specializing in one of these niches and building direct shipper relationships pays more than chasing general spot freight.
Do flatbed loads always require tarping?
No. Tarping depends on the commodity. Lumber and most building materials almost always require tarps for weather protection, while machinery, vehicles, military equipment, and many steel loads are usually hauled untarped because they are weather-resistant. When a load requires tarping, expect tarp pay on top of the line-haul rate.
Is flatbed freight available year-round?
Yes. Steel, pipe, machinery, and military freight move all year. Construction-driven commodities such as lumber and building materials are more seasonal, peaking from spring through fall. Specializing in year-round commodities or running multiple niches helps keep your truck loaded through the slower winter months.
What securement do you need to haul steel and pipe?
Steel typically requires Grade 70 transport chains, binders, and edge protectors, with coils secured in racks or cradles under FMCSA Section 393.120. Pipe and round articles need chocks, cradles, or blocking to prevent rolling, with each tier independently secured. Always confirm the specific securement requirement before booking — flatbed securement violations are among the most common roadside inspection failures.
Flatbed Dispatch for Every Commodity
Our dispatch team finds high-paying flatbed loads across all commodity types — steel, lumber, equipment, building materials, and more. We match loads to your equipment and negotiate the best rates for your specific freight.