Flatbed Load Types: Steel, Machinery, Lumber, and More

February 25, 2026 6 min read

Flatbed Load Types: Steel, Machinery, Lumber, and More

Flatbed trucking isn’t one-size-fits-all. The equipment you need, the securement method, and the regulations that apply all depend on what you’re hauling. A load of steel coils requires a completely different setup than a load of lumber or a piece of construction equipment.

This guide covers the most common flatbed commodities, the right trailer for each, and the securement requirements you need to know. If you’re shipping any of these for the first time, this is your starting point.

Steel: Coils, Beams, Plate, and Pipe

Steel is the bread and butter of the flatbed trucking industry. It’s heavy, dense, and requires careful loading to stay within weight limits and securement regulations.

Steel Coils

Steel coils are one of the most dangerous flatbed loads if improperly secured. A single coil can weigh 20,000-44,000 lbs. They must be loaded with the eye (center hole) either fore-and-aft or crosswise, depending on the coil orientation, and secured according to FMCSA rules specific to metal coils.

Equipment: Standard flatbed with coil racks (cradles) or a coil-specific trailer
Securement: Minimum of one tiedown per coil for coils weighing 5,000 lbs or less. Larger coils need specific chain and binder arrangements. Coils must be prevented from rolling in any direction.
Weight considerations: A standard flatbed can carry 48,000 lbs, but coils are so dense that you’ll often hit weight limits before filling the trailer. Typical load: 1-4 coils depending on size.

Structural Steel (Beams, Angles, Channels)

I-beams, H-beams, angle iron, and channel steel are common construction materials shipped on flatbeds. These are long (20-60 feet) and bundled.

Equipment: Standard flatbed (48-53 foot) or step-deck for taller loads
Securement: Chains and binders every 10 feet. Dunnage (wood spacers) between layers. Edge protectors where chains contact the steel.
Tip: Bundled steel shifts more easily than you’d expect. Proper dunnage and tight tiedowns are critical.

Steel Plate and Sheet

Flat steel plates and sheets are stacked on the trailer deck. They’re heavy and have low profiles, making them relatively stable but hard on the trailer deck.

Equipment: Standard flatbed with adequate deck capacity
Securement: Chains and binders with edge protectors. Non-skid material (rubber mats) between the deck and the first plate to prevent sliding.

Steel Pipe and Tubing

Round pipe is a rolling hazard. Proper containment is essential.

Equipment: Standard flatbed with pipe stakes or bulkheads
Securement: Pipe stakes at every stake pocket, chocks at the base of the load, chains and binders over the top. Small diameter pipe may need to be bundled and banded.

Lumber and Building Materials

Dimensional Lumber

Bundled lumber (2x4s, 2x6s, plywood, OSB) is one of the highest-volume flatbed commodities. It’s lighter than steel but bulky, meaning you’ll usually “cube out” (fill the space) before hitting weight limits.

Equipment: Standard flatbed. Some loads use a flatbed with sides for additional containment.
Securement: Straps (not chains — chains damage lumber) every 10 feet. Minimum of 2 tiedowns for loads under 10 feet, plus one for every additional 10 feet of length.
Weight: A full trailer of lumber typically weighs 42,000-48,000 lbs.
Tarping: Lumber usually requires tarping to protect from weather. Budget $50-$100 extra for tarp service.

Engineered Trusses and Joists

Roof trusses and floor joists are lightweight but awkwardly shaped and long (up to 60+ feet). They require oversized permits for loads wider than 8.5 feet.

Equipment: Standard or stretch flatbed with oversize capability
Securement: Multiple straps with padding to prevent crushing. Trusses are fragile — damaged trusses are rejected at the jobsite.

Machinery and Equipment

Construction Equipment

Excavators, skid steers, bulldozers, and other heavy equipment move on flatbeds and lowboys. These loads are often overweight and/or oversize, requiring permits.

Equipment: Step-deck (RGN/lowboy) for tall equipment that exceeds standard height limits. Standard flatbed for smaller machinery.
Securement: Chains and binders at all four tie-down points. Equipment must be chocked or blocked to prevent rolling. Articulating equipment (backhoes, excavators) must have booms secured in the transport position.
Permits: Oversize/overweight permits required when exceeding 8.5 feet wide, 13.5 feet high, or 80,000 lbs gross weight. Permit requirements vary by state.

Industrial Machinery

CNC machines, generators, transformers, printing presses — heavy industrial equipment that’s being installed or relocated.

Equipment: Flatbed, step-deck, or RGN depending on dimensions and weight. A removable gooseneck (RGN) trailer allows equipment to be driven or rolled onto the trailer from the rear.
Securement: Chains and binders. Crating or banding for delicate components. Some machinery requires custom cradles or stands.
Special handling: Many industrial machines need to remain level during transport. Confirm with the manufacturer.

Concrete Products

Precast concrete panels, barriers, pipe, and blocks are extremely heavy and require experienced flatbed drivers.

Equipment: Standard flatbed or step-deck. Precast wall panels may require specialized A-frame trailers.
Securement: Chains and binders with softeners. Concrete is brittle — improper securement cracks it. Dunnage between stacked pieces.
Weight: Concrete loads regularly push legal weight limits. Know your piece weights before loading.

Oversized Loads

Any load exceeding 8.5 feet wide, 13.5 feet tall (from road surface), 53 feet long, or 80,000 lbs gross weight is “oversized” and requires special handling:

Permits: Required in every state the load passes through. Permit costs range from $15-$100+ per state.
Escorts: Wide loads (typically over 12-14 feet) require pilot cars. Some states require police escorts for certain dimensions.
Travel restrictions: Most states prohibit oversized loads at night, on weekends, or on holidays. This affects transit time and scheduling.
Route planning: Low bridges, narrow roads, and weight-restricted routes must be avoided. Your carrier should conduct a route survey for large oversized loads.

Which Flatbed Trailer Type for Each Load?

Standard flatbed (48-53 ft): Steel, lumber, pipe, palletized building materials, machinery under 8.5 ft tall
Step-deck (drop-deck): Taller equipment and machinery (up to ~10 ft tall on the lower deck) that won’t fit on a standard flatbed under the 13.5 ft height limit
RGN (Removable Gooseneck) / Lowboy: Heavy construction equipment, very tall loads, anything that needs to be driven onto the trailer
Stretch flatbed: Extra-long loads like trusses, utility poles, or wind turbine components
Conestoga (curtainside): Flatbed loads that need weather protection without tarping — furniture, finished goods, paper products

General Securement Rules (FMCSA)

Regardless of commodity, all flatbed loads must comply with FMCSA cargo securement rules (49 CFR Part 393):

Working load limit of tiedowns must equal at least 50% of the cargo weight
Minimum of one tiedown for articles 5 feet or shorter, two tiedowns for articles 5-10 feet, plus one additional tiedown for every 10 feet of length beyond 10 feet
Cargo must be secured against movement in all directions: forward, rearward, and side-to-side
Edge protection required where tiedowns contact sharp edges that could cut the tiedown

For a comprehensive overview of flatbed shipping, read our flatbed trucking guide.

Ship Your Flatbed Load With BlackBridge

Whether you’re moving steel coils, construction equipment, or a load of lumber, BlackBridge Logistics matches your freight with experienced flatbed carriers who know how to load, secure, and deliver your commodity safely.

Get a flatbed quote or call (516) 252-3395. We’ll match you with the right equipment for your load.