Everything You Should Know About Hauling Flatbed Cars

There are various methods for transporting a car across the nation. One of the most widely used techniques is to hire a flatbed car carrying service since it makes it easy to transfer huge objects, like cars, safely. You may move your car from A to B with flatbed car transport, knowing that it will be safeguarded the entire time.

However, you must determine whether choosing a flatbed over the other available carrying solutions is the best option for you. Everything you need to know about using a flatbed car carrier to transport a vehicle across long distances will be covered in this post.

Flatbed Car Hauling: What Is It?

Transporting an automobile over a long distance on a flatbed trailer is known as flatbed car transportation. These flatbed trailers are made for heavy carrying and frequently transport wide loads, bulky cargo, and oversized machinery. They are constructed from sturdy materials like steel and have multiple axles so that stuff can be carried safely onto and off of the flatbed.

A flatbed can be thought of as a movable platform that is connected to the right hauling vehicle (such as a truck). It typically has open sides, making it simpler to load onto the platform. To keep the cargo secure, it is fastened down at numerous locations. The process of loading an automobile onto a flatbed truck frequently involves loading the vehicle into a sizable cargo container first.

The Seven Types of Flatbed Transporters

When leasing a flatbed vehicle to move freight, you have various options. Each variety of flatbed has advantages and disadvantages in addition to having applications.

#1: Standard

Standard flatbeds, the most prevalent kind of flatbed automobile carrier, are typically 48 to 53 feet long. They feature platforms that can be 42 to 60 inches off the ground and can carry weights of between 45,000 and 48,000 pounds.

As a result, they are incredibly stable, which explains why so many carriers rely on them to ship vehicles. The platform's height restrictions, however, prevent them from being used for tall cargo. But in the majority of flatbed car hauling situations, this is not a problem.

#2: Double Drop

These flatbeds have a well space in the centre, a front deck, and a back deck. This well can accommodate tall freight because its typical length is between 25 and 29 feet. Double drop flatbeds are therefore the best choice for moving big cargo that is above 10 feet tall.

The biggest disadvantage of this kind of flatbed, however, is the well. It reduces the amount of room available for your cargo, which constricts your possibilities for transportation. In addition, the cargo will typically need to be loaded into the center well using a crane by the carrier.

#3: Step Deck

A step deck trailer, often called a drop deck, has a bottom and top deck. Once more, this makes them perfect for moving anything that might be too large or tall for a typical flatbed. Step decks frequently have a low ride height in the trailer, allowing them to pass beneath bridges. Due to the low trailer height, ramps are frequently used to efficiently load cargo onto the flatbed.

Because they make it relatively simple for carriers to load several automobiles, step decks are frequently utilized in flatbed auto transport.

#4: Lowboys

Lowboys are another excellent choice for tall cargo since they have a double drop, or two drops in the height of their deck. In comparison to most other flatbed varieties, they also sit lower to the ground. One of their key advantages is that because of this lower height, tall freight up to a height of 11 feet, 6 inches can be transported.

#5: Side-Kit Flatbeds

A side-kit flatbed can be the best option if you need to protect your cargo from the elements. These flatbeds typically include metal panels, pegs, and spines to offer some weather and debris protection. Tarps may be fastened to the flatbed by your carrier to further strengthen this protection.

They frequently transport delicate machinery and agricultural supplies in addition to wind- and weather-sensitive loads.

#6: Extendable Flatbeds

Extendable flatbeds, often known as stretch trailers, enable transporters to move goods that is too long for a conventional flatbed. Additionally, they permit carrying without any overhang, which improves safety during transit. But some applications for these flatbeds need for licenses and the presence of escort vehicles.

Due to its extensible nature, this kind of flatbed vehicle isn't frequently utilized to move cars. Since the offered platform might not be solid enough for automobiles, additional options are frequently preferred.

#7: Removable Gooseneck

With one significant exception, this kind of flatbed is remarkably similar to a normal flatbed. Your carrier uses the trailer's detachable gooseneck to convert the flatbed's front into a ramp. As a result, the detachable gooseneck is perfect for loading cars because your carrier can just drive your car onto the flatbed, secure it, and transfer it. Additionally, mobile homes, construction trucks, and agricultural equipment are all transported using detachable gooseneck flatbeds.

Why Would You Use a Car Hauler Flatbed Truck?

Comparing a flatbed vehicle to a regular towing service, there are various benefits to using a flatbed vehicle to transfer your car.

#1: Elevation Makes the Ride Safer

In a conventional automobile tow, the carrier raises the wheels of the car using a crane and a hook. The automobile is then effectively dragged along the road by it, with the only thing keeping it moving being the tires that are still in contact with the surface. There are numerous issues with this approach. Traditional towing increases tire wear and tear in addition to the possible issues with vehicle wobble.

The car is elevated from the road during flat bed transport. Throughout the transit operation, the car remains entirely motionless. Additionally, because flatbeds don't make touch with the road, your automobile doesn't suffer unnecessarily from wear and tear.

#2: Simple and Quick Loading

The procedure of loading a car onto a flatbed truck often entails driving the car up a ramp onto the platform, securing it down, and then loading the car. Your carrier can utilize a crane to raise the vehicle onto the platform even if it is not working, all without requiring any alterations to the car itself.

Standard towing does not necessarily entail this. For safer shipping, your carrier might need to take the driveshaft out of the automobile. You don't have to bother about making any modifications to your car when you haul a car on a flatbed.

#3: Your Car is Secured

f you utilize a flatbed carrier, your car is secured to a safe platform. It is therefore immobile until it is freed and driven off the flatbed. When an automobile is being towed normally, it is left free to swing and may hit other cars. Flatbeds provide greater security, a safer ride, and a significantly reduced risk of damage to your vehicle during transport.

Does Flatbed Car Hauling Fit Your Needs?

You may move your vehicle over long miles on a flatbed without worrying about damage or the potential for direct collisions. Your automobile is raised off the ground and secured in place so it can travel safely and securely. Additionally, flatbed services are adaptable to meet practically all of your needs because they let you carry both working and non-working automobiles.

Focus on the carrier's experience and capability to handle the kind of car you wish to move when selecting a flatbed car transport service. In order to be sure you're making the best decision, it's also important to ask your carrier about the other vehicle transportation services they provide.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding a flatbed transporter service, Haul Cars is ready to help. Get an estimate from us today to learn more.