Flatbed Trucking Company in Illinois Serving All 50 States & Canada
At Chicago Permit, we specialize in flatbed trucking services for oversized, heavy, and unconventional freight. Based in Illinois, we bring over a decade of hands-on experience in flatbed transportation, ensuring your load is handled with expertise, precision, and care. Our seasoned logistics professionals are well-versed in the heavy haul industry, ready to assist with permits, routing, and safe delivery no matter the size or complexity of your shipment.
What is Flatbed Trucking?
Flatbed trucking is the preferred method for hauling freight that won’t fit into standard trailers—such as construction equipment, steel coils, machinery, lumber, and industrial materials. These open trailers offer side, top, and rear loading, making them ideal for bulky or irregularly shaped loads.
Types of Flatbed Equipment We Use
- Standard Flatbeds
- Step Decks
- Double Drops
- Removable Gooseneck Trailers (RGNs)
- Stretch Flatbeds
Each trailer type is selected based on your load’s size, weight, and shape to ensure compliance with DOT regulations.
Specialized Flatbed Services
Whether you’re transporting steel coils, cranes, mining equipment, or agricultural machinery, our team manages the full logistics process from initial planning to final delivery. We understand the unique challenges of heavy haul freight and work diligently to meet DOT and provincial requirements in both the U.S. and Canada.
Flatbed Trucking Explained: How it Works, Rates, and More
Welcome to your complete resource on flatbed trucking—a critical component in the transportation and logistics industry. Whether you’re a shipper, carrier, or simply curious about flatbed services, this guide covers everything from how flatbed shipping works to finding the best companies to partner with in 2025.
The Ultimate Guide to Flatbed Trucking
Flatbed trucking involves transporting goods that don’t fit in enclosed trailers. These loads are typically oversized or irregular in shape, including construction materials, machinery, vehicles, and more. Flatbeds offer easy loading/unloading from the sides, rear, or overhead.
Key elements covered in this guide:
- Types of flatbed trailers (standard, step deck, double drop, etc.)
- Load securement essentials (chains, tarps, straps)
- Regulatory compliance and permits
- Freight rates and influencing factors
What Is Flatbed Shipping?
Flatbed shipping is a freight transportation method using an open-deck trailer with no sides or roof. It’s ideal for items that are:
- Too wide or tall for enclosed trailers
- Loaded via crane or forklift
- Weather-resistant or covered with tarps
Industries that commonly use flatbed shipping:
- Construction
- Oil & Gas
- Agricultural Equipment
- Military & Aerospace
- Energy and Utility
Flatbed Truck
A flatbed truck is a heavy-duty vehicle with a completely flat, open bed. These trucks vary in size and configuration and can accommodate loads from standard pallets to 60,000+ lb equipment. Common types include:
- Standard Flatbeds
- Step Decks (drop decks)
- Double Drops
- Removable Goosenecks (RGNs)
Flatbed trucks are often used in conjunction with pilot cars or escorts for oversized loads.
Full Truck Transport
Full Truckload (FTL) flatbed transport means your shipment uses the entire trailer—ideal for:
- Large construction equipment
- Bulk raw materials
- Fragile oversized machinery that shouldn’t be consolidated with other freight
FTL flatbed shipping ensures faster transit times, less handling, and minimal risk of damage.
The Pros & Cons of Flatbed Trucking
Pros:
- Easier loading/unloading from any angle
- No dimensional limits like enclosed trailers
- Ideal for oversized or irregular freight
- Strong demand and high pay for drivers
Cons:
- Exposure to weather (requires tarps)
- More labor-intensive (securement & safety)
- Requires experienced operators and additional permits
- Often involves specialized routing
What Is Flatbed Trucking?
Flatbed trucking plays an essential role in transporting goods and materials, especially those that are too large, heavy, or oddly shaped for enclosed trailers. Thanks to its versatility, flatbed transport continues to be a staple of the logistics industry. Flatbed trucks are designed to handle oversized and irregular loads that wouldn’t fit into standard box trailers, making them crucial across many sectors. This demand also translates into strong job opportunities for flatbed truck drivers. If you’re exploring a career in transportation, flatbed trucking might be a great option for you.
Understanding Flatbed Trucking
Flatbed trucking involves open trailers that lack walls and ceilings. These trailers usually feature wooden decks reinforced with strong aluminum frames. Flatbeds typically range between 48 to 53 feet long, with a width of 102 inches, a deck height of around 60 inches, and a weight capacity of up to 48,000 pounds. Common trailer variants include step decks and removable gooseneck (RGN) trailers. Their open structure provides flexibility in loading from any angle, which is especially useful for transporting heavy and oddly shaped cargo.
Common Uses for Flatbed Transport
Flatbed trucks are built to move freight that enclosed trailers cannot accommodate. You’ll often find them used to haul:
- Lumber and timber
- Steel coils and metal sheets
- Mobile and modular homes
- Wind energy components
- Military and industrial machinery
- Scrap materials
- Oversized piping
- Super sacks filled with fertilizer, sand, or grain
- Freight containers between ports and facilities
Their design enables the quick and efficient transport of large or heavy items, especially when forklifts or cranes are used for loading and unloading.
Key Aspects of Flatbed Trucking
Flatbed drivers need to be proficient in the four main responsibilities of their role:
- Loading: Heavy items are often loaded using cranes or forklifts, but it’s the driver’s job to ensure the weight is evenly distributed across the axles to maintain balance and road safety.
- Securing: Cargo must be tightly fastened to prevent movement during transit. Flatbed drivers use approved equipment such as nylon straps and steel chains depending on the cargo’s size and weight. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has strict standards for load securement.
- Tarping: Since flatbeds lack enclosure, tarps are used to shield the cargo from rain, wind, and debris. Tarping may require extra effort and equipment, as tarps can weigh up to 80 pounds.
- Maneuvering: Driving flatbeds requires specialized handling skills, especially for longer and wider trailers. Drivers must be careful on curves and during poor weather, as unbalanced loads can become hazardous.
Flatbed Trucking Rates
Rates for flatbed trucking typically vary based on location, cargo type, and market demand. On average, flatbed hauls pay between $2.27 and $2.66 per mile. Because of the complexity of the job, flatbed drivers often earn more than their dry van counterparts—sometimes by as much as $15,000 annually.
Benefits of Flatbed Trucking
There are many reasons to consider a career in flatbed transportation:
- Higher Pay: Due to the specialized nature of the work, flatbed drivers often command higher wages than other drivers.
- Strong Demand: With ongoing driver shortages, especially in specialized sectors like flatbed hauling, job security is high.
- More Travel Opportunities: Flatbed routes often span longer distances, providing a chance to travel across states or even internationally.
- Less Downtime: Since forklifts or cranes are used for loading/unloading, drivers usually spend less time waiting at docks, resulting in quicker turnaround times.
- Simpler Maintenance: Unlike enclosed trailers that can accumulate dirt and damage, flatbeds are easier to clean and maintain thanks to their open design.
Challenges of Flatbed Trucking
Though flatbed trucking offers many rewards, it also comes with unique challenges:
- Higher Safety Risks: Drivers must secure cargo while standing or climbing on the trailer, which increases the chance of injury.
- Tougher Regulations: Flatbed hauls often require special permits and must follow designated routes. Failing to comply can result in fines and delays.
- Advanced Driving Skills Needed: Flatbed drivers must be trained in proper load securement and have the physical stamina to manage large, heavy freight.
- Weather Delays: Since the cargo is exposed, harsh weather can affect transport times and increase the risk of delays.
Flatbed Trucking Services Heavy Haulers (630) 222-5770
Looking for reliable flatbed transportation? Our experienced dispatchers and logistics specialists coordinate nationwide heavy hauls. We handle:
- Permit acquisitions
- Route planning
- Escort arrangements
- Real-time tracking
Call (630) 222-5770 now to get a quote for your flatbed shipment no matter the size or destination.
Our Flatbed Transportation Includes:
- Load-Specific Trailer Selection
- Nationwide & Canada Coverage
- Oversize/Overweight Permit Procurement
- Pilot Cars & Escort Vehicle Coordination
- Route Planning & Compliance Support
- Affordable Rates & Transparent Communication
Who We Are
As a trusted flatbed trucking company in the U.S. and Canada, we’re committed to offering:
- Safe and Secure Delivery
- On-Time Arrivals to You and Your Clients
- Custom Solutions for Complicated Shipments
Our flatbed carriers stand out through exceptional customer service, experienced logistics coordination, and efficient end-to-end freight handling. When your freight requires attention beyond the basics, Chicago Permit delivers.
Why Choose Chicago Permit?
- Over 10 Years of Experience
- Fully Compliant Oversize Transport
- Permit Experts in Every State & Province
- Flatbed Services Across All 50 States + Canada
- Custom Logistics Solutions for Every Load
Ready to Book Your Flatbed Shipment?
Chicago Permit is here to make your flatbed transport simple, safe, and stress-free. Contact us today for a free quote, or call us directly at (630) 222-5770 to speak with a flatbed permit specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Flatbed trucking involves transporting goods using a truck with an open, flat platform instead o
A flatbed is a type of trailer or truck body with no sides or roof, providing a flat, open surface for transporting large or heavy loads. It’s commonly used in construction, manufacturing, and logistics for hauling equipment, steel, lumber, and other bulky materials.
Landstar System Inc. is often recognized as one of the largest flatbed trucking companies in North America, offering a vast network of owner-operators and a range of specialized freight services, including flatbed transport.
In logistics, a flatbed refers to a transportation method using an open trailer that allows easy loading and unloading of freight from all sides. It’s typically used when the shipment doesn’t require protection from the elements or is too large for enclosed trailers.
Flatbed transportation is the movement of freight using flatbed trucks. It’s commonly used for oversized or heavy loads that can’t be easily loaded into standard box trailers. This mode of transport allows for flexibility in cargo shape and size.
Transferring a load on a flatbed involves carefully loading the cargo using forklifts, cranes, or loading docks. Once positioned, the load is secured using straps, chains, and binders to prevent shifting during transit. Proper weight distribution is also essential.
Yes, operating a flatbed truck typically requires a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), especially if the vehicle’s weight exceeds 26,000 pounds or it’s used for interstate commerce. Additional endorsements may be needed for specialized loads.
The cost of flatbed hauling varies depending on factors like distance, weight, size of the load, fuel prices, and route difficulty. On average, flatbed rates range from $2.50 to $4.00 per mile, with higher rates for oversized or urgent loads.
