A flatbed truck is
a type of truck which can be either articulated or rigid. It is a flat, level
bed body with no sides or roof. It provides one of the most adaptable platforms
with regard to hauling and transporting loads of all types and weights. This
makes the loading of over dimensional loads quick and easy. Railways likewise
use flatbed trucks in engineering trains and freight trains. Flatbed trucking
is a well-known transportation for shipping things which one cannot easily send
with a service like FedEx.
The flatbed for trucks can be mounted on any typical
truck frame from small, lightweight pickup truck frames to heavy. It is used
for transporting or moving around small loads to over dimensional loads or
superloads such as construction equipment and material which are too big to fit
on conventional vehicles. Flatbeds can
be fabricated in a square or rectangular configuration depending on the
intended use of the truck. Flatbed trucking is usually used to transport and
deliver products and raw materials which are huge, For example a sewer pipe
used under street is usually several feet in diameter and is difficult to move
to the construction site in any other way.
Small trucks use
flatbeds are usually fabricated in a square configuration for maximum bed area.
Although these beds jut outside of the truck body line and as such square
flatbeds are often confined to use in open area conditions. Square flatbeds
with stake gates or hauling rack are used extensively by sub-contractors on
large development projects or for deliveries of any number of products to
locations where parking space and mobility is not an issue. Smaller flatbeds
are ideal for transporting storefront glass, sliding doors, new tires and rims,
auto parts and other bulk supplies which are received at building sites and
loading docks.
Flatbeds are likewise used in transporting lumber supplies to
job sites. These deliveries were once off-loaded using steel roller system to
maneuver a load to the rear of the bed. Nevertheless, manufacturers are now constructing
flatbeds which rise at one end by means of a hydraulic lift. This system offers
more control during the off-loading of pipe, bulky timbers and pallets of
plywood. The stake gates on rectangular flatbeds are removable for access with
a forklift.
Larger flatbeds
are fabricated in rectangular configuration to allow the bigger trucks close
proximity parking without concern for an overhanging bed on the sides. The
rectangular flatbeds for trucks are well suited for medium and large route
trucks that make everyday delivery of produce and construction supplies as well
as for shipping specialized items.
Larger double trailer frames with flatbeds
are familiar sight on interstate highways across the country. Super loads and
over dimensional loads in these flatbeds can be from jet engines to huge rolls
of fabricating metal to large piece of construction equipment and earthmovers.
These huge flatbeds for trucks have extremely high load capacities which range
from ten thousands to fifty thousand and up.
