If you’ve ever shipped large or oversized items before, chances are that you’ve heard of flatbed shipping. Flatbed shipping is a great option for businesses that need to ship large items and equipment that is too big for LCL (less-than-container load) shipping.

What is a Flatbed?

A flatbed is a type of truck that has an entirely flat trailer, with no roof or sides. Because of its design, flatbeds are easy to load and unload products onto and off of the truck. There are also very little restrictions surrounding the weight, size, and height of the products being transported via flatbed.

What Items Should be Shipped Via Flatbed?

Flatbed shipping is great for shipping a large variety of items. Goods that are often shipped on flatbed trucks include:

• Building materials, such as iron bars, steel bars, concrete slabs, timber, bricks, and scaffolding.
• Farm equipment, such as tractors.
• Equipment used for defense.
• Industrial tools and equipment, such as machinery, cranes, and drilling machines.
• Agricultural equipment.

Benefits of Flatbed Shipping

Flatbed shipping is the shipping method of choice for many suppliers in many fields. This is because it offers a number of benefits, including:

• Less restrictions on the shape and size of the cargo.
• Faster and more efficient loading and unloading processes.
• Flexibility on the weight of the cargo.

What to Know Before Flatbed Shipping

Before you send your goods off on a flatbed truck, there are a number of things you need to know. Follow these tips for hassle-free and seamless flatbed shipping:

Have accurate freight information

You will need to provide your flatbed provider with detailed and accurate information about your goods. This includes what is being shipped, the estimated value of the goods, the goods’ dimensions and weight, and their final destination. Additionally, if your goods have a unique shape, are extremely heavy, or especially tall, you’ll want to inform the company carrying your goods to ensure it falls within the weight, height, and length limits of the flatbed trailer being used.

Familiarity with flatbeds

As with any shipment, you want to understand how it's getting there and how the shipping process works. This will ensure the right flatbed is being used for your goods, and will minimise the occurrence of complications along the way.

Call ISS

Transporting large freight via a flatbed can be a cumbersome task, and that’s why it’s important to work with the experts. ISS is experienced in all types of shipping and can help you get your goods from point A to point B cost-effectively and hassle-free.

For more information on flatbed shipping and whether it’s right for you, get in touch with ISS today!