When shipping goods to customers or warehouses, products must arrive safely and in good condition. Not only does this enhance the customer experience, but it also makes the shipping process easier for business owners.
C&M Transport has extensive experience on both sides of the industry, from transportation to 3PL management. This makes us a reliable source for business owners looking for trusted, reliable flatbed trucking companies. Here, we talk about the different kinds of specialized equipment needed for efficient shipping.
Specialized Equipment
Depending on the size and type of product you want to ship, you may require specialized equipment to maintain the integrity of your product. Business owners may require one of the following trucks:
Flatbed Truck
Flatbed trucks are designed to carry oversized or heavy loads. They have a flat, open truck bed to make it easy to load and unload cargo. There are many different kinds of flatbed trucks, including:
- Double drop flatbed trucks: This kind of flatbed truck has two levels at varying heights to carry tall cargo.
- Standard flatbed trucks: This is your standard flatbed truck that holds average-sized goods.
- Extended flatbed trucks: This type of flatbed truck comes equipped with a longer truck bed to deliver taller items.
Flatbed trucks are great for carrying items like large and heavy equipment and machinery, steel beams, hay bales, irrigation pipes, cars, and other goods.
Drop Deck Trailer
Drop deck trailers are a type of flatbed truck used to haul taller cargo. They can also be called step deck trailers or lowboy trailers. Drop deck trailers come with two deck levels and an open design for easy and efficient loading. When carrying tall cargo, there are height restrictions in place to keep drivers safe on the road. These restrictions regulate how tall cargo can be to safely travel via truck.
Some drop deck trailers come with ramps or beavertail trays, which help to make loading and unloading more convenient. Drop deck trailers also come with tie-down capabilities, allowing truckers to secure cargo safely. These trucks are capable of hauling heavy machinery, lumber, beams, pipes, industrial equipment, and large crates.
Curtain Side Trucks
Curtain side trailers are a type of truck with canvas curtains on the side to make unloading cargo easier. The curtains cover a flat truck bed and the framework that holds a roof above the load. There are doors on the back of the truck for convenient access to goods. Curtain-side trucks also typically have a cooling system. Due to the thick construction of the curtains, curtain-side trucks can be great for expedited shipping of perishable food items and other objects that must remain chilled during transport.
The curtain is held down by durable buckles, which keep products from flying out of the truck. Curtain-side trucks are also ideal for shipping large crates and cartons because they are easily forklift accessible.
Reefer Trailers
Reefer trailers are a kind of transportation truck designed with refrigeration capabilities. Also called refrigerated trailers, they have a refrigeration unit at the front of the truck to ensure products stay cold. In some cases, the refrigeration unit may be installed on the top or underneath the truck.
The walls are made with insulated materials to keep cool air in the truck and hot air outside. This is ideal for shipping goods that must stay cold over long distances. Reefer trailers are also a great option for when a curtain-side truck is unable to transport refrigerated goods due to windy conditions or other circumstances.
Find Flatbed Trucking Solutions at C&M Transport
C&M Transport is a family-owned and operated business located in Painesville, Ohio. With over 30 years in the business, we have become a dependable logistics company in the area. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, we have 17 locations across the country so business owners can access an easy and efficient truckload and special services carrier. To learn more about shipping and other services offered at our flatbed trucking company, contact us at C&M Transport today.