Flatbed Load Types: What You Can Haul on a Flatbed
Flatbed trailers — also known as skateboards — are the workhorses of heavy and oversized freight. From steel coils to wind turbine blades, flatbeds handle loads that enclosed trailers simply cannot. This guide covers every major flatbed load type, the securement requirements, and when you need permits.
Ahmad Qazi
Founder & CEO, O Trucking LLC
Fact-Checked by O Trucking Dispatch Team
5+ years coordinating flatbed and specialized freight loads
Written by Ahmad Qazi, founder of O Trucking LLC, drawing on 9+ years dispatching for owner-operators. Learn more about us.
O TruckingFlatbed Load Types: What You Can Haul on a Flatbed (2026)
Key Takeaways
- Steel and lumber are the highest-volume flatbed commodities; steel pays well but demands the most securement knowledge because coils and beams can roll or shift.
- Flatbed freight typically pays $0.30 to $0.60 more per mile than dry van because of the added skill, time, and risk — check the live rate for your lane.
- Loads over 8.5 ft wide, 13.5 ft tall, 53 ft long, or 80,000 lbs gross weight need state oversize/overweight permits and may require escort vehicles.
- Most lumber, building materials, and manufactured goods must be tarped; steel coils, machinery, and military vehicles usually ship untarped.
- Heavy equipment, wind turbine components, and oversized loads pay the most but require the most planning, permits, and specialized trailers.
Steel and Metal Loads
Steel is one of the highest-paying and most common flatbed commodities. It also requires the most securement knowledge due to its extreme weight and rolling potential.
Steel coils — Rolled steel weighing 20,000 to 48,000 pounds per coil. Must be placed in a coil cradle or chocked and secured with chains rated for the coil weight. Coils can roll catastrophically if improperly secured. FMCSA has specific securement rules for metal coils — see our flatbed load securement guide.
Steel beams and plate — I-beams, H-beams, and steel plate are staple flatbed loads. They are heavy and can shift during transit. Chain binders and edge protectors are required. Weight distribution across axles is critical since steel is dense and concentrated.
Pipe and tubing — Steel pipe, PVC pipe, and metal tubing are loaded in bundles on flatbeds. Pipe loads require cradles or V-blocks to prevent rolling and must be secured with chains or straps at multiple points. Long pipe may require oversize permits if it extends beyond the trailer.
Lumber and Building Materials
Lumber and construction materials are high-volume flatbed commodities, especially during spring and summer building seasons.
Lumber bundles — Dimensional lumber, plywood, and OSB sheets are bundled and stacked on flatbeds. Lumber is lighter than steel, so drivers often haul maximum-volume loads rather than weight-limited loads. Tarping is required in most cases to protect from weather damage.
Roofing and drywall — Shingles, drywall sheets, and insulation are flatbed commodities when ordered in bulk for construction sites. These loads need weather protection and careful stacking to prevent crushing damage during transit.
Concrete products — Precast concrete walls, barriers, blocks, and pipe are heavy flatbed loads. These loads are often overweight and may require permits. A step deck or lowboy may be needed for tall concrete products.
Tarping Requirements Vary by Commodity
Heavy Equipment and Oversized Loads
Heavy equipment and oversized freight are the highest-paying flatbed loads, often commanding the strongest flatbed rates per mile. They also require the most planning, permits, and specialized trailers. Because these loads frequently push the legal limits, review our flatbed weight limits guide before booking.
Construction equipment — Excavators, bulldozers, backhoes, and skid steers are loaded onto lowboy or RGN trailers. These loads are often oversize (wide or tall) and overweight, requiring permits in every state along the route. Escort vehicles may be required.
Wind turbine components — Turbine blades (up to 200+ feet long), nacelles, and tower sections are among the most specialized flatbed loads. Blade hauls require specialized blade trailers, pilot cars front and rear, and extensive route planning. These loads pay premium rates.
Military vehicles — Humvees, armored personnel carriers, and other military equipment move on flatbed and RGN trailers. Government contracts set the rates. These loads require specific securement protocols and sometimes security clearances.
Common Flatbed Load Mistakes to Avoid
- Under-rating securement. Chains, binders, and straps must be rated for the load weight — a coil or steel plate that breaks loose can roll catastrophically. Match working load limits to the cargo.
- Ignoring axle weights. A load can be under 80,000 lbs gross yet still be illegal if a single axle group is overweight. Slide tandems and reposition dense freight like steel.
- Skipping permits on dimensions. Long pipe, wide equipment, or tall concrete can exceed legal limits and need oversize permits before you roll.
- Tarping the wrong way (or not at all). Confirm tarping requirements before pickup; leaving lumber or drywall untarped invites cargo-damage claims.
Hazmat and Specialty Flatbed Loads
Some flatbed loads fall into specialty categories that require additional endorsements, training, or equipment.
Hazmat on flatbed — Drums, totes, and containers of hazardous materials can ship on flatbeds. The driver needs a hazmat endorsement and must follow placarding, securement, and routing requirements. Hazmat flatbed loads pay a premium over standard freight.
Machinery and manufacturing — CNC machines, generators, transformers, and industrial equipment are common flatbed commodities. These loads are heavy, high-value, and often require specialized rigging for loading and unloading. Crating and blocking add protection.
Build Expertise in One Load Type First
Flatbed Load Types FAQ
Common questions about what freight you can haul on a flatbed trailer
What are the most common flatbed loads?
The most common flatbed loads are steel coils and beams, lumber and building materials, construction equipment, pipe and tubing, and manufactured goods like HVAC units. Steel and lumber together make up the largest share of flatbed freight in North America. These commodities require open-deck trailers because they are too large, heavy, or awkwardly shaped to fit inside an enclosed van trailer.
Do you need special permits for flatbed loads?
You need special permits for loads that exceed standard legal dimensions: over 8.5 feet wide, over 13.5 feet tall, over 53 feet long, or over 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. Each state has its own oversize/overweight permit requirements, fees, and travel restrictions. Some loads also require escort vehicles, route surveys, and travel limited to daylight hours only.
How much does flatbed freight pay per mile?
Flatbed freight typically pays $0.30 to $0.60 more per mile than dry van freight due to the additional skill, time, and risk involved. Specialized flatbed loads like oversized machinery or wind turbine components can pay significantly more. Rates vary by lane, season, and market conditions. Hazmat flatbed loads carry an additional premium.
What is the weight limit for a flatbed trailer?
The standard legal gross vehicle weight in the United States is 80,000 pounds, which translates to roughly 44,000 to 48,000 pounds of payload on a typical flatbed trailer after accounting for the weight of the tractor and trailer. Overweight permits allow heavier loads on specific routes. Axle weight limits (typically 12,000 lbs steer, 34,000 lbs drive, 34,000 lbs trailer) must also be met.
What freight cannot be hauled on a flatbed?
A flatbed is the wrong trailer for any load that needs full weather protection or climate control. Temperature-sensitive freight such as produce, frozen food, and pharmaceuticals needs a reefer, and high-value or theft-prone goods like electronics and consumer products are usually shipped in an enclosed dry van for security. Loose, small, or palletized parcel freight is also better suited to a van. Flatbeds work best when the cargo is large, heavy, or oddly shaped and can be tarped if needed.
Do flatbed loads have to be tarped?
Not every flatbed load has to be tarped, but most lumber, building materials, and finished manufactured goods do because they can be damaged by rain, road grime, or sun. Steel coils, machinery, and heavy equipment are often shipped untarped. The shipper or rate confirmation specifies the tarping requirement, and tarping typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. Many drivers charge a tarping fee, often around $50 to $100, for loads that require it.
Need Flatbed Loads That Pay?
Our dispatch team specializes in matching flatbed drivers with high-paying loads. Steel, lumber, oversized — we find the freight that fits your trailer.