| Flatbeds for trucks provide one of the most versatile | | | | suited for medium and large route trucks that make |
| platforms with regard to hauling and transporting loads | | | | everyday deliveries of produce and construction |
| of all types. The flat bed can be mounted on any | | | | supplies, as well as for shipping specialized items such |
| typical truck frame, from small, lightweight pickup truck | | | | as high pressure gasses and oxygen. The stake gates |
| frames to heavy duty truck frames. In addition, these | | | | allow access for forklifts, and many route trucks will |
| beds can be fabricated in a square or rectangular | | | | be installed with a hydraulic lift gate for increased |
| configuration, depending on the intended use of the | | | | efficiency. |
| truck. | | | | Flatbeds for Trucks Are Not New But They're Still |
| Flatbeds for Smaller Trucks | | | | Evolving |
| Flatbeds for smaller trucks are most often fabricated | | | | Lumber suppliers that ship to job sites have employed |
| in a square configuration for maximum bed area. | | | | flat beds for more than a century with continued |
| However, these beds protrude well outside of the | | | | success. These deliveries were once off-loaded using |
| truck body line, and as such, square flatbeds are | | | | a steel roller system to manipulate a load to the rear |
| usually confined to use in open area conditions. Square | | | | of the bed. However, manufacturers are now |
| flatbeds with stake gates or hauling racks are used | | | | producing flatbeds that raise at one end by means of |
| extensively by sub-contractors on large development | | | | a hydraulic lift. This system provides more control |
| projects, or for deliveries of any number of products | | | | during the off-loading of pipe, large timbers and pallets |
| to locations where parking space and mobility is not an | | | | of plywood. Of course, the stake gates on rectangular |
| issue. Smaller flatbeds are ideal for transporting | | | | flatbeds are removable for access with a forklift. |
| storefront glass, sliding doors, new tires and rims, auto | | | | Larger, double trailer frames with flatbeds are a familiar |
| parts and other bulk supplies that are received at | | | | sight on interstate highways across the country. |
| building sites and loading docks. | | | | Travelers are liable to see any type of load on these |
| Flatbeds for Larger Trucks | | | | flatbeds, from jet engines to huge rolls of fabricating |
| Typically, larger flatbeds are fabricated in a rectangular | | | | metal, or large pieces of construction equipment and |
| configuration, to allow the larger trucks close proximity | | | | earth movers. These large flatbeds for trucks have |
| parking, without concern for an overhanging bed on | | | | extremely high load capacities that range from ten |
| the sides. The rectangular flatbeds for trucks are well | | | | thousand, to fifty thousand pounds and up. |