How to Properly Load a Flatbed Trailer

Quick-Reference Loading Checklist

✔️ Check weight limits. Verify your truck and trailer’s gross and axle weight limits before loading (typical 5-axle semi in most states: 80,000 lb gross; 12,000 lb steer axle, 34,000 per tandem)​. Ensure the load won’t exceed these limits.

✔️ Plan weight distribution. Aim for a balanced load. Place about 60% of the cargo weight toward the front half of the trailer and 40% toward the rear​. Keep heaviest items over the trailer axles for stability​. 

✔️ Load heavy first & low. Position heavy cargo pieces first and directly on the deck, over/near the axles. Keep them low (lower center of gravity) and centered side-to-side. Place lighter items on top or towards trailer ends​.

✔️ Balance side-to-side. Distribute weight evenly left and right—avoid piling weight on one side. An uneven side-to-side load can cause handling problems or tire overload​.

✔️ Secure the load. Once positioned, strap or chain down all items per DOT regulations (use appropriate tie-downs for each section of cargo). Double-check all securements before departure. 

✔️ Always conduct a final safety check. Ensure no part of the load is shifting or extending unsafely. Weigh the loaded trailer if near capacity to confirm axle weights are legal​. Adjust placement or remove weight if needed to avoid fines or instability.

Weight Distribution Basics for Flatbed Trailers

Proper weight distribution is critical for safe flatbed hauling. It maintains stability, protects your equipment, and ensures you stay legal.

Understand Axle Limits

Know your equipment’s weight ratings. In the U.S., a standard tractor-trailer is usually limited to 80,000 lbs gross vehicle weight, distributed approximately as 12,000 lbs steer axle, 34,000 lbs drive axles, and 34,000 lbs trailer tandems. Exceeding these limits—even under gross weight—can result in expensive fines or being placed out of service. Spread-axle flatbeds can have higher axle weight allowances in some states (around 20,000 lbs per axle), but balance remains essential.

Always confirm your trailer’s specific axle ratings and state regulations.

Front-to-Rear Balance

Loading slightly heavier toward the front of the trailer (around 60% front, 40% rear) promotes traction and prevents trailer sway or fishtailing. Too much weight at the rear can cause instability at highway speeds; too much at the front risks overloading the drive or steer axles, reducing steering control. A balanced distribution prevents these extremes, keeping your truck safe and stable.

Center of Gravity

Keep your load’s center of gravity low and near the middle of the trailer, ideally over or slightly ahead of the axles. Think of the trailer as a teeter-totter—placing weight too far forward or backward overloads one end. Many flatbeds have a marked “center load” area (often slightly forward of center on spread-axle trailers) specifically to help balance heavy cargo properly.

Common Trailer Configurations

Typical 48′ or 53′ flatbeds with tandem axles can carry about 46,000–48,000 lbs of cargo. Longer trailers don’t increase weight capacity but give more room to distribute cargo evenly. Specialized configurations (spread axles, tri-axle setups) might allow higher weights, but proper loading principles remain the same: distribute weight evenly and within axle limits. Know your empty trailer weight and available payload capacity before loading to avoid issues at weigh stations.

Loading Best Practices (Step-by-Step)

Follow these steps to load your flatbed trailer safely:

1. Prepare the Trailer

Park on level ground. Keep the trailer attached to the truck or use support jacks to prevent tipping. Set brakes and chock wheels if needed. Inspect for damage like broken boards or weak tie-down points.

2. Plan Your Layout

Before loading, identify the heaviest items and position them near or just ahead of the axles. Balance loads by placing heavier cargo in the center and lighter items toward the ends, keeping stability in mind.

3. Load Heaviest Items First

Place the heaviest cargo first, directly on the trailer deck, over or slightly forward of the axles. This ensures stability and a low center of gravity, protecting lighter cargo stacked afterward.

4. Distribute Weight Evenly

After heavy items, arrange cargo symmetrically, side-to-side, and spread evenly from front to back. Adjust any noticeable sagging by shifting cargo to achieve balanced axle weights for safe handling.

5. Keep Heavy Low, Light High

Stack heavier items at the bottom with lighter items above. For example, heavy pallets always sit directly on the deck. Avoid creating a top-heavy load to prevent instability during transit.

6. Check Side-to-Side Alignment

View your trailer from behind and confirm the load is centered. Adjust if one side appears heavier or stacked unevenly. Proper side-to-side balance prevents leaning, steering difficulty, and rollover risks.

7. Secure Each Load Segment

Immediately secure each cargo segment as loaded using proper tie-downs (chains, straps). Use at least two tie-downs per cargo piece and tighten them securely to avoid shifting as you continue loading.

8. Build a Stable Shape

For partial loads, cluster cargo near the trailer’s center rather than spreading it randomly. Avoid isolated weight pockets at trailer extremes. Use dunnage or blocks to stabilize oddly shaped items.

9. Double-Check & Adjust

After loading, confirm the cargo is snug and cannot shift. Check trailer suspension for level alignment. Visit a truck scale if the load nears weight limits and adjust if needed—addressing overweight issues before hitting the road saves trouble later.

10. Secure the Entire Load

Finish securing the entire load according to FMCSA regulations. Re-check tie-down tightness and use edge protectors where needed. Properly balanced and secured loads also simplify tarping if required.

Mistakes to Avoid When Loading Your Flatbed

🚫 Never overload or exceed weight limits.

🚫 Never load too much weight toward the back or front of the trailer; distribute evenly.

🚫 Never load unevenly from side to side.

🚫 Never build a top-heavy load.

🚫 Never fail to secure the load properly.

A Note on Securing the Load

Once your cargo is placed correctly, securing the load is absolutely critical. Even a perfectly balanced load will fail if it shifts or falls off in transit. Even slight shifts in weight can lead to a loss of control​. After loading, use the appropriate tie-downs for each piece of cargo—straps, chains, binders, tarps, etc. Every item should be firmly immobilized to the trailer. 

Follow the FMCSA securement regulations (e.g., minimum number of tie-downs based on item length/weight, working load limits of straps, using edge protection). Double-check all attachments and perform a tug test (ensure nothing budges). It’s good practice to re-inspect your straps and chains after the first 50–100 miles, as cargo can settle. 

The bottom line: Never skimp on securement. A well-loaded trailer combined with robust securement gives you the best chance of a safe, incident-free journey.

Find the Flatbeds You Need at Hale Trailer

Loading a flatbed properly is both a science and an art: part following rules and part using good judgment for each unique load. With a thoughtful approach and the tips above, you can ensure your flatbed cargo is safe, secure, and legal from start to finish.

At Hale, we’re proud to not only offer flatbed trucking advice but also provide access to an excellent inventory of flatbed trailers for fleets, small outfits, and owner-operators. We have an array of:

• The latest new flatbed trailers for sale from top manufacturers
• Inspected, road-ready used flatbed trailers for sale
• Short- and long-term flatbed trailer rentals

Whatever you need, Hale has it!