Pros & Cons of Flatbed Trailers: An Analysis for Trucking Professionals

A flatbed trailer is essentially an open deck with no sides or roof. The open design makes it versatile for logistics, allowing flatbeds to accommodate oversized, tall, or unusually shaped cargo. Such a design isn’t without its drawbacks, however, especially with cargo securement.

In this article from the flatbed pros at Hale Trailer, we’ll take an in-depth look at pros and cons of flatbed trailers, including some unique driver perspectives you won’t find anywhere else.

Pros & Cons at a Glance

Flatbed Advantages	Flatbed Disadvantages
Highly versatile for oversized loads	Critical load security requirements
Easy loading and unloading	Cargo exposed to weather
Higher load capacity	Higher driver safety risks
Broad industry applications	Strict regulatory compliance
Improved operational efficiency	Limited cargo protection

Advantages of Flatbed Trailers

Versatility

Flatbeds can haul freight that would never fit inside a dry van. They excel at transporting oversized or irregularly shaped items—anything from industrial machinery to oversized steel pipes or prefab building components. Standard dry vans and other types of trailers simply cannot accommodate these loads, making flatbed the go-to solution for freight that exceeds the dimensions of enclosed trailers.

Ease of Loading/Unloading

With no wall or roof obstructing the deck, flatbed trailers enable fast, convenient loading from virtually any angle. Forklifts or cranes can access a flatbed from the sides or above, which is invaluable for freight that can’t be forklifted through a rear door.

For example, large timbers, steel beams, or machinery can be hoisted on and off a flatbed at a job site with no need for loading docks. This open access reduces load times and simplifies handling of awkward cargo that would be challenging to maneuver into an enclosed trailer.

Increased Load Capacity

Flatbeds often accommodate heavier or bulkier loads in a single trip compared to enclosed trailers. They have higher usable weight and size capacity since there are no fixed walls constraining the cargo.

A standard 48–53-foot flatbed can legally haul up to about 48,000 lbs (the rest of the 80,000 lb gross weight goes to the tractor and trailer), similar to a dry van, but with the advantage of handling outsized dimensions.

Extremely long items can even overhang the trailer deck (within legal limits). Items like steel trusses or lumber beams longer than the trailer can be carried on a flatbed with proper flags and supports. By maximizing the volume and weight of cargo on each haul, flatbeds can reduce the number of trips needed for large projects.

Industry Applications

Flatbed trailers play a critical role across construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and other industries that deal with large materials.

• They are the workhorses for delivering construction materials such as bundles of lumber, steel I-beams, pipes, cement blocks, trusses, and scaffolding to job sites​.
• They are also indispensable for heavy machinery transport, moving equipment like skid steers, bulldozers, or industrial generators that cannot be driven on public roads​.
• In the agricultural sector, flatbeds haul tractors, baled hay, and farm equipment.

Broad utility explains why flatbeds are found in so many sectors: They’re often the only practical way to move certain loads.

Operational Efficiency

In many cases, flatbed trucking can be more time-efficient during pickups and deliveries. Drivers don’t need to wait for an empty dock since flatbeds can be loaded and unloaded from the top or sides on arrival​.

Often (at least hopefully!), the receiver is ready and waiting with a forklift or crane to remove the cargo immediately. Trucking professionals note that flatbed loads tend to get unloaded quickly and without the prolonged delays van trailers may face at crowded distribution centers​.

There’s no need for “lumpers” (paid unloading crews) or special dock scheduling; as soon as the truck arrives, the freight can come off. This quick turnaround keeps trucks rolling and reduces idle time, allowing owner-operators and fleets to fit more loads into a week. In short, the flexible loading/unloading of flatbeds can translate to less waiting and more earning.

Disadvantages of Flatbed Trailers

Load Security

Because a flatbed has no sides or enclosure, proper securement of the load is absolutely critical. The responsibility falls entirely on the driver and carrier to strap down and contain every piece of cargo. If a load is not adequately tied down, it can shift or even slide off the trailer, potentially causing serious accidents or injuries to other drivers on the road​.

Flatbed drivers must become experts in using ratchets, chains, binders, and edge protectors to keep freight firmly in place. Even then, they must stop periodically to recheck and tighten straps. The open nature of flatbeds means there is no margin for error in securement — unlike a van trailer, where a shifting load is still within walls, on a flatbed a loose load can be catastrophic. This makes flatbed work inherently more dangerous if not done correctly, placing extra emphasis on driver training and attention to detail.

Weather Exposure

Cargo on a flatbed is completely exposed to the elements. Rain, snow, hail, wind, and sun can all directly impact the load during transit. For shippers, this means any weather-sensitive freight could be damaged or ruined if it’s not protected. 

Tarps are a common solution — flatbed drivers often tarp their loads with large, heavy-duty waterproof covers — but tarping adds labor and isn’t foolproof. Strong winds can tear tarps or allow moisture in, and not all cargo can be fully sealed off. Severe weather can also slow down operations (needing to wait out a storm before loading/unloading). 

Exposure to the elements is one of the biggest drawbacks of flatbeds, and it requires planning: Drivers must be prepared to protect the load or delay a trip if conditions are too extreme​.

Higher Risk for Drivers

Flatbed trucking can be more demanding and hazardous for the driver compared to pulling enclosed trailers. Loading and securing freight means physical work: climbing up onto the trailer, balancing on loads, tightening straps and chains, and deploying tarps that can weigh 100+ lbs. All of this can lead to injuries if proper precautions aren’t taken. In fact, industry studies show that nearly 50% of injuries among flatbed truck drivers are due to falls (for example, slipping off a load or trailer)​. 

Drivers also face risks of strains from handling heavy securement gear and tarps. Unlike van drivers who mostly move freight with a pallet jack at floor level (or not at all), flatbedders work at heights and in all weather, from strapping down equipment in sweltering heat to throwing tarps in icy conditions​.

Load securement can take its toll. Fatigue is common, and a tired driver is a vulnerable driver. The combination of heavy labor and long driving hours makes safety a constant concern. Trucking companies often provide specialized training and enforce strict safety protocols for flatbed operators to mitigate these risks.

Regulatory Compliance

Securing loads on a flatbed is the law. Flatbed carriers must adhere to stringent cargo securement standards set by the FMCSA. There are specific rules about the number of tie-downs required based on weight and length, edge protection, periodic en-route inspections, and more. Enforcement agencies pay close attention to flatbeds and can pull a driver over for a load inspection at any time. Failure to comply can result in hefty fines or even the trailer being placed out of service until issues are fixed​.

Compared to an enclosed trailer, there are simply more visible things that can be deemed a violation (e.g., a loose strap or an improperly covered load). Flatbed drivers must be meticulous in following all regulations and keeping documentation (like oversize load permits) in order. This adds administrative burden and stress that doesn’t typically come with hauling in a dry van. In short, more hauling freedom means more rules for the driver.

Limited Cargo Protection

Flatbeds offer virtually no protection for the cargo itself beyond what securement and tarps provide. Fragile, delicate, or temperature-sensitive freight is usually not a good fit for a flatbed. For example, high-end electronics or moisture-sensitive products like paper rolls would be at risk of damage from rain or humidity on an open trailer​. Similarly, a load of furniture or consumer goods on a flatbed has a higher theft risk, since it’s exposed and visible (whereas a closed trailer hides the cargo)​. 

While drivers can use tarps, pad wraps, and other methods to mitigate these issues, the fact remains that flatbeds cannot provide the sealed, climate-controlled environment of a dry van or refrigerated trailer.

Most shippers won’t even consider flatbeds for high-value or delicate freight unless a curtainside or other enclosure is used. Essentially, the flatbed trades away cargo protection in exchange for flexibility. This means trucking companies must carefully match the freight to the trailer type. Flatbeds are fantastic for steel, machinery, and raw materials, but they’re the wrong tool for fragile manufactured goods that need shelter.

Flatbed Stories from the Road

Many seasoned flatbedders will tell you that despite the extra work, they love the challenge. As one driver put it, “flatbed is both challenging and rewarding” — a job he couldn’t imagine leaving after years of doing it​. Flatbed drivers take pride in the art of securement and tackling a new puzzle with each load. If you’re the type of person who likes variety and problem-solving, flatbedding provides it in spades. Every haul is a bit different, and that keeps the work interesting for those who enjoy stepping outside the routine of dock deliveries.

One trucker humorously described his first flatbed load, a set of heavy pallets of booze, as “sphincter spasm inducing freight,” meaning it was a nerve-wracking experience​. His advice after that trip was simple: “Make sure, then check it again.”​

Drivers also mention that flatbed load times at shippers are rarely more than 30–60 minutes in many cases​. Compare that to the multi-hour detention some van truckers endure at warehouses, and it’s clear why flatbed work can be appealing from an operations standpoint. Of course, the flip side is the flatbed driver has to do the securing and tarping, which is where they “earn” that quicker departure. As a flatbedder quipped after spending 3 hours fighting heavy winds to tarp a load, “Flatbed is definitely physically challenging work, but it’s worth it.

Explore Flatbed Options at Hale Trailer

Flatbed trailers offer a mix of unmatched versatility and important operational advantages, balanced by significant responsibilities and risks.

If you determine that flatbed trailers align with your operation’s needs, it’s wise to partner with a trusted equipment provider. Hale Trailer is one such industry-leading provider. With 13 locations across the United States, we offer a full inventory of new flatbeds and used flatbeds from leading manufacturers. And if you just want to explore flatbeds or have a short-term need, we offer flexible flatbed trailer rentals.