
Moving flatbed and step deck freight can be a challenging process, that’s why choosing the right carrier is so important. Our owner operators have decades of experience hauling both flatbed and step deck freight for a wide variety of industries. Whether you need your equipment moved to your new job site, your product moved across the country, or simply need a local trucking company to handle your deliveries, Twisted Nail Broker Services has you covered.
While flatbed and step deck trailers are often interchangeable for most jobs, it is important to know the strengths and weaknesses of each trailer to find the best fit for your project.
Twisted Nail is here to help. If you need something hauled in central Texas, we can get your job done, safely, timely, and reliably.
Flatbed trailers are open deck platforms with no side or roof. The construction of the trailer makes it very versatile and allows cargo to be loaded from all angles. Due to exposure to the elements, it is common for flatbed carriers to offer strapping, chaining, and tarping services depending on the requirements of the load.
Due to their versatility, flatbed trailers are among the most popular in the country. Our fleet of flatbed trailers consists of both 48’ and 53’, steel and aluminum, and can be customized to fit your needs. Our flatbed trailers are ideal for transporting lumber, pallet freight, steel, construction materials, and equipment with a maximum load capacity of 48,000 pounds before permits.
Step deck trailers, otherwise known as drop deck trailers, have a similar open deck profile to flatbeds, but have two deck levels. The upper deck is short and connects the trailer to the tractor. The lower deck drops down after the tractor connection, giving the trailer a lower deck height than a flatbed. Step deck trailers are great options for taller loads and typically come with ramps to easily load machinery and equipment. The unloading and loading process is generally considered safer than flatbed due to the deck's proximity to the ground. The main deck (bottom deck) is typically around 3 feet of the ground, sitting a full foot below the flatbed average deck height of 4 feet, with the upper deck sitting 4 feet off the ground.
Our step deck trailers are perfect for hauling equipment, machinery, vehicles, tractors, SETs, and more. Our owner operators can provide tarps, straps, and chains upon request. Our carriers are flexible, professional, and are eager to help you and your team.
A standard flatbed trailer is commonly used because it is versatile. It is ideally used when there is no accessible dock. Sometimes products can require side or crane loading which makes the flatbed trailer great..
When it comes to construction stone and rock, the wide variety of options may feel overwhelming. Not to worry—we’ll offer information and advise to help you learn more about the different types of.....
Size limitations and weight limitations are major contributing factors in choosing the right trailer option for your project. A van trailer isn’t meant to carry heavy equipment, it's designed to carry palletized objects of a very defined size. A flatbed or open deck trailer is meant to carry loads of a variety of shapes and dimensions.
Twisted Nail provides custom solutions for all business needs, including those requiring flatbed and stepdeck. In the event the customer has their own trailers, we have power-only units, owner-operators who can provide their own trailers, and for longer-term contracts Twisted Nail can provide the dedicated equipment needed for hyper efficiency in their shipping lanes.
A good source of information regarding Texas weight limitations can be found here: https://www.txdmv.gov/motor-carriers/oversize-overweight-permits/texas-size-weight-limits