Shipping vehicles with flatbed trailers is one of the options available in the auto transport industry, with many effective uses and benefits. Flatbed trailers resemble a sideless platform and sit low on the ground, which makes them especially useful for transporting vehicles with special conditions.
Specialty vehicles include rare, oversized, and modified cars and boats, usually designed differently from regular cars. Therefore, they cannot be transported by standard shipping carriers. If you are wondering how to ship a car with special conditions, then flatbed carriers are the way to go.
This article highlights the uses and benefits of flatbed trailers for shipping specialty vehicles and how they can perfectly meet unique shipping needs.
Uses of Flatbed Trailers
Thanks to their simple and flexible design, flatbed trailers make shipping different types of unique vehicles easier than ever. They allow auto transporters to load and unload vehicles easily with less effort and time and can haul between three and four cars simultaneously.
In addition, the uses of flatbed auto transport are not limited to specialty cars, but there are other significant uses of flatbed trailers in the auto transport industry.
- Transporting specialty vehicles: Speciality cars are usually more valuable than regular ones and need special care and handling. Therefore, using flatbed trailers to transport these vehicles is the most effective since vehicles are easily loaded and unloaded, creating less wear and tear on tires. Also, flatbed trailers properly fit specialty vehicles regardless of their size and the adjustments they have.
- Inoperable vehicles: Flatbed trailers are a perfect option for transporting inoperable vehicles due to damage or missed parts. Their flat, sideless design allows transporting inoperable vehicles using less equipment and labor.
- Oversize vehicles: Flatbed trailers are the go-to option for shipping oversized vehicles with different dimensions. Oversized vehicles, like buses, RVs, industrial equipment, and other large vehicles, don’t usually fit inside enclosed carriers, nor do open standard transport carriers accommodate them.
- Construction and agriculture equipment: Heavy-duty equipment, tractors, bulldozers, excavators, and other farming and constructing machinery are frequently transported using flatbed carriers.
Benefits of Flatbed Trailers
Using flatbed trailers in the auto transport industry has many advantages, including safety and security, convenience, peace of mind, and versatility.
flatbed trailers provide safety and security
Shipping vehicles using flatbed trailers provide safety and security for cars since these trailers usually have additional axles and tie-downs to secure cargo optimally. Also, vehicles are less likely to incur damage while loading and unloading because flatbed trailers are easy to manage.
Regarding convenience
Regarding convenience, flatbed trailers are considered a more convenient shipping option, especially for specialty and inoperable vehicles. In addition to giving additional control over driving cars on and off the trailer deck, flatbed trailers are also easy to maneuver and can reach different locations of clients’ choice.
Furthermore, using flatbed trailers to ship specialty vehicles provides peace of mind. It ceases all the stresses associated with the process, knowing that professionals with experience handling specialty vehicles will load and properly secure cars. Flatbed trailers reduce the risk of damaging vehicles during transport.
Finally and most importantly, auto transport companies mainly benefit from the versatility of flatbed trailers since they can efficiently transport several vehicle types in different sizes, from small and light golf carts to heavy-duty equipment.
Common Safety Measures in Flatbed Auto Transport
Auto transport companies take several safety measures to maintain vehicles’ security while transported by flatbed carriers. Some of these safety measures include using appropriate securing equipment, ensuring even weight distribution, and regularly inspecting the carrier and cargo.
Using Appropriate Securing Equipment
Carrier drivers first use ramps or hydraulic lifts to load vehicles onto the flatbed trailer. Then, they secure them in place using appropriate equipment, tie-down straps, or chains that prevent vehicles from shifting during the trip.
Furthermore, vehicles are tightly secured to ensure they don’t collide with other vehicles on the trailer and incur damage.
Evenly Distributing Weight
Flatbed carrier drivers plan the cargo’s weight distribution before loading them onto the trailer, which maximizes vehicles’ safety during transport. Even weight distribution is necessary to avoid overloading and consequently damaging the trailer and vehicles, in addition to allowing drivers to control their driving better.
Regular Inspections
During transporting the cargo to its final destination, drivers make frequent stops to inspect the carrier’s condition and cargo’s stability. Drivers ensure every now and then that all tie-downs and straps are still tightly securing vehicles.
Overall, when hiring an auto transport company to ship your specialty vehicle anywhere in the United States, ensure it is credible enough and take every safety measure for cargo security.
Tempus Logix is a licensed auto transport company that offers various shipping services. The company works with over 25,000 carriers with insurance coverage of up to $1,000,000. Moreover, clients can request an instant auto transport quote using the online AI-based calculator on the company’s website.
The Bottom Line
Flatbed auto transport has many uses in the shipping industry, mainly shipping specialty vehicles, so car owners no longer wonder how to ship a car with unique needs. They can also transport inoperable and oversized cars and heavy equipment for construction and farming projects.
Indeed, flatbed carrier drivers take many safety measures to maintain vehicle security, such as using the appropriate securing equipment, evenly distributing weight, and regularly inspecting cargo.
