Flatbed
A flat bed truck is a vehicle equipped with a large, open bed, designed to transport heavy loads, with a crane or loading ramps and a cab to control the truck.
Flatbed trucks are most often encountered when there is a need to transport oversized items that would be difficult or impossible to place in a conventional cargo vehicle. While these rigs may seem simple, they are essential in transportation.
Flatbed trucks are a type of heavy-duty commercial vehicle that are used to transport loads. They typically have an open-top, flatbed trailer with no sides or roof, and the bed is often steel-made.
Benefits of Using Flatbed
Usually, individuals and businesses will consider flatbed trucks for vehicle hauling. However, these trucks are highly versatile and work well for a wide array of situations. Let’s break down the five main benefits of using a flatbed truck.
Can Carry Oversized Loads
The most significant limitation of a hook and chain tow truck or a box truck is that both options have strict size limitations. With a box truck, you’re constrained by the interior dimensions. With a hook and chain tow truck, you have to be able to tow a vehicle on its rear wheels. In both cases, an oversize or extra-tall load won’t work well.
Easy to Load Cargo
Most tow trucks rely on the towed vehicle’s wheels to move around. But, what if the vehicle doesn’t have wheels, or those tires are flat or busted? In that case, a standard tow truck won’t be of much use. Instead, a flatbed truck can haul the entire vehicle no matter what state it’s in. This convenience works well for all types of cargo as well. For example, if you’re hauling boxes and other freight, you can use a crane or a forklift to put the items on the back. With a standard box truck, you don’t have that luxury.
Works Well for Heavy Loads
Heavy-duty flatbed trucks are designed to carry massive equipment, such as cranes, farming gear, and more. So, these trucks are built tougher than most other kinds of cargo hauling vehicles. So, if you need to move a heavy piece of equipment, a flatbed is going to be your best choice. The heavier load coupled with the versatile loading options makes flatbed trucking a breeze for virtually all situations
Extra Safety
As we mentioned, traditional hook and chain tow trucks require a vehicle with working rear tires. However, even if the towed vehicle is road-ready, hauling it like that will add wear and tear to the whole system. By comparison, a flatbed truck protects the vehicle because it takes the entire piece off the ground. So, whether the vehicle is partially damaged or fully intact, a flatbed truck preserves it in its current state and won’t put extra stress on it during the hauling process.