West Coast Carriers — Flatbed Division
Flatbed & Step Deck Trucking
Open-Platform Freight Shipping to All 48 States
Steel, equipment, and industrial freight — loaded from any side, secured completely, delivered nationwide from Washington, Oregon, and California.
48 States
Nationwide Coverage
6 Trailer Types
Flatbed Equipment
5,000+
Contracted Carriers
Licensed & Insured
FMCSA Registered
Full-Service Flatbed & Step Deck Trucking
West Coast Carriers operates one of the most capable flatbed freight networks on the West Coast. We handle full truckload flatbed shipments across all 48 states, with origin pickups in Washington, Oregon, California, and beyond.
Flatbed trucking is the right choice when freight is too large, too heavy, or too unusually shaped for an enclosed trailer. Open-platform trailers load from any side or from above. That flexibility matters when you are moving industrial machinery, structural steel, agricultural equipment, or manufactured components.
Our flatbed freight specialists match each shipment to the right trailer type. Whether you need a standard 48-foot flatbed, a step deck, a double drop, or a removable gooseneck, we have the equipment and the carrier network to handle it.
For smaller flatbed shipments that do not fill a full trailer, we also offer Flatbed LTL — shared deck space consolidated with compatible freight at a lower cost per shipment.
Standard Flatbed — Legal Max
| Length | 48 ft or 53 ft |
| Width | 8 ft 6 in |
| Legal max height | 8 ft 6 in |
| Deck height | ~5 ft from ground |
| Max payload | 48,000 lbs |
Step Deck — Legal Max
| Upper deck | 10–12 ft long |
| Lower deck | 37–40 ft long |
| Lower deck height | ~3 ft 6 in from ground |
| Max legal height | 10 ft on lower deck |
| Max payload | ~46,000 lbs |
Oversized loads require state permits. We coordinate all permit requirements.
What We Haul
Open-platform freight that cannot go in an enclosed trailer
Steel & Metal
Coils, plate, structural beams, rebar, and fabricated steel.
Construction Equipment
Excavators, graders, skid steers, and tracked machinery.
Industrial Machinery
Presses, generators, compressors, and large industrial units.
Agricultural Equipment
Tractors, combines, sprayers, and irrigation systems.
Manufacturing Components
Pre-assembled modules, fabricated parts, and production materials.
Energy Equipment
Transformers, solar racking, generators, and utility hardware.
Modular Structures
Prefab units, portable buildings, and storage containers.
Vehicles & Mobile Equipment
Construction vehicles, forklifts, and specialty mobile units.
Six Flatbed Trailer Types
Matched to your freight — dimensions, weight, and loading requirements
01 — Standard Flatbed
48 ft & 53 ft Flatbed
| Deck length | 48 ft or 53 ft |
| Deck width | 8 ft 6 in |
| Deck height | ~5 ft from ground |
| Max payload | 48,000 lbs |
Best for: steel plate, palletized freight, machinery, and manufactured goods within legal height and width limits.
02 — Step Deck
Single Drop Step Deck
| Upper deck | 10–12 ft long |
| Lower deck | 37–40 ft long |
| Lower deck height | ~3 ft 6 in from ground |
| Max payload | ~46,000 lbs |
Best for: freight too tall for a standard flatbed that does not require a double drop or RGN.
03 — Double Drop
Low Boy / Double Drop
| Well height | 18–24 in from ground |
| Well length | 25–29 ft |
| Max legal height | 11 ft 6 in |
| Max payload | 40,000–45,000 lbs |
Best for: tall construction equipment, bulldozers, large excavators, and machinery exceeding step deck clearance.
04 — RGN
Removable Gooseneck
| Well height | 18–22 in from ground |
| Max legal height | 11 ft 6 in |
| Loading | Drive-on (detachable neck) |
| Max payload | 40,000–45,000 lbs |
Best for: self-propelled equipment, tracked vehicles, and machinery that must be driven onto the trailer.
05 — Expandable Flatbed
Stretch Flatbed
| Extended length | Up to 80 ft+ |
| Width | 8 ft 6 in |
| Height restriction | Same as standard flatbed |
| Permits | Required above 53 ft |
Best for: structural steel, long pipes, and manufactured components exceeding 53 feet in length.
06 — Expandable RGN
Stretch RGN
| Gooseneck | Removable (drive-on) |
| Extended length | 60–80 ft+ |
| Max legal height | 11 ft 6 in |
| Permits | Required — we coordinate all |
Best for: bridge beams, wind turbine components, and extra-long industrial equipment requiring both drive-on loading and extended length.
Load Security You Can Count On
All West Coast Carriers flatbed drivers carry full equipment for load securement. Every shipment is strapped, chained, and tarped before it leaves the origin facility.
Our drivers use 8-foot drop tarps to protect freight from weather during transit. Straps and chains are applied at the correct intervals based on freight type and weight. On palletized or boxed cargo, we use bladder bags — inflatable dunnage bags placed between cargo units to prevent lateral shifting on the trailer during transport.
If your freight requires rigging or crane loading, our team contacts the origin facility in advance to confirm appointments and eliminate wait time. Every communication detail — facility contact, appointment time, access requirements, and special handling notes — is passed to the driver before departure.
8 ft Drop Tarps
Full-length weather protection for every tarped shipment in transit.
Straps & Chains
Applied at correct intervals per cargo type, weight, and trailer configuration.
Bladder Bags
Inflatable dunnage bags prevent lateral cargo shift between pallets and units.
En-Route Checks
Drivers inspect and recheck load security at regular stops throughout every haul.
Nationwide Flatbed Coverage — All 48 States
Full truckload and LTL flatbed freight from Washington, Oregon, and California to every contiguous US state
Frequently Served States
Washington · Idaho · Oregon · California · Nevada · Utah · Colorado · New Mexico · Texas · Oklahoma · Kansas · Nebraska · South Dakota · Iowa · Missouri · Minnesota · Wisconsin · Illinois · Michigan · Indiana · Kentucky · Tennessee · Alabama · Georgia · South Carolina · North Carolina · Virginia · Pennsylvania · New Jersey · Delaware · Connecticut · Massachusetts · Rhode Island
Need coverage in a state not listed? Call us at (253) 212-9950. We serve every contiguous US state and coordinate most lanes with 24-hour notice on standard equipment.
Flatbed Trucking — Frequently Asked Questions
What types of freight work best on a flatbed trailer?
Flatbed trailers are built for freight that is too large, too heavy, or too awkwardly shaped for a standard enclosed trailer. Common examples include structural steel, construction equipment, industrial machinery, agricultural equipment, and manufactured components. If your freight cannot fit through standard trailer doors or requires side or overhead loading, a flatbed is likely the right solution.
What is the difference between a flatbed and a step deck trailer?
A standard flatbed deck sits approximately five feet off the ground. A step deck — also called a single drop — has a lower rear deck that sits around three and a half feet from the ground. That lower deck height allows for taller cargo without exceeding legal height limits. Step decks are the right choice for freight that is too tall for a standard flatbed but does not require the deeper clearance of a double drop or RGN.
Do you handle oversize load permits?
Yes. West Coast Carriers manages all state and local oversize load permits for shipments that exceed standard legal dimensions. Our team coordinates directly with state agencies along the route and notifies your origin facility of any special requirements before pickup day. Permit costs are factored into your quote up front — no surprise charges after the load is moving.
What load security measures do your flatbed drivers use?
All West Coast Carriers flatbed drivers carry full 8-foot drop tarps, straps, and chains. For palletized or boxed freight, drivers also use bladder bags — inflatable dunnage bags placed between cargo units to prevent lateral shifting during transit. Drivers perform load security checks at regular stops throughout every haul, not just at departure.
Do you offer flatbed LTL in addition to full truckload service?
Yes. For shipments that do not fill a full flatbed trailer, we offer Flatbed LTL — shared deck space on a flat-deck trailer consolidated with other compatible freight. This reduces your cost per shipment while maintaining the same care and securement standards as a full truckload. See our Flatbed LTL page for full details.
Ready to Ship Flatbed Freight?
Tell us where it needs to go. We match it to the right trailer, handle the permits, and confirm delivery to all 48 states.
