Flatbed Services

Gaines Express has two service categories to meet our customers’ needs. Find out more about each one below.

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Flatbed Freight

You need something shipped?

If you’ve done this before, you probably have a good idea of your requirements. And you’re probably here because your experience with the last company wasn’t the best.

We’re excited for the chance to earn your trust by safely and professionally delivering your load on schedule and at a price that fits your budget.

If you are new to the world of shipping, you are likely to have a lot of questions.

Our expert team will help you figure out what you need and guide you through the process from initial consultation through to your successfully-delivered load.

Our professional drivers can make your delivery anywhere in the continental US.

Get in touch for a free quote on your flatbed shipment today.

Contact Our Team
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Dedicated Transportation

Your business is growing and you need a more efficient shipping solution. At a certain point, you’re transporting enough that it makes sense to have a dedicated shipping fleet. For most businesses, though, having your own private transportation fleet is not cost-effective.
 
The expenses involved in acquiring and maintaining equipment, recruiting drivers, and hiring additional staff to oversee it all are immense. Not to mention the headaches of staying on top of regulatory requirements. 
 
Dedicated transportation gives you the advantages of your own fleet without the disadvantages of a privately-owned one. You’ll get reliable, predictable shipping on your schedule. You’ll get complete visibility on shipments from the moment they leave your door until they’re delivered. And you’ll have stable, contract pricing for better management of your transport costs. 
 
To find out if dedicated contract carriage with Gaines Express is a good fit for your business, reach out to our team today.
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WHY TRUST GAINES EXPRESS WITH YOUR FLATBED FREIGHT?

Hands-on Management: We’re a smaller company whose management is involved in the details of day-to-day operations. We know our customers and drivers and take pride in our individualized attention to service.
 
A focus on relationships: We put people first. We believe a successful trucking business is built on treating customers and drivers the way we’d want to be treated.
 
Accessibility: You’ll be working closely with management from your first contact through to the successful delivery of your load. If you have any concerns or questions, you’ll be able to speak with someone on our team who knows what is going on and is in a position to do something about it.
 
Reputation: For three generations, the Gaines name has stood for shipping expertise, consistent service, and long-standing customer relationships.
Call for a Free Quote Today!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is flatbed freight shipping?

There are two main types of trailers you'll see hauling materials on the freeway: dry van trailers and flatbed trailers (though you'll also see refrigerated trailers and other specialized vehicles). A dry van trailer is fully enclosed and will typically be used to ship any goods that need to be protected from the elements. Dry van freight is unloaded from the back of the trailer.

A flatbed trailer doesn't have a top or sides, which provides maximum accessibility for loading and unloading. It is used to haul especially heavy or large loads or materials where the greater flexibility for access is desirable. They are commonly used for building materials (like lumber, large beams or trusses, etc.), large commercial equipment like heating or AC units, heavy machinery, or other heavy or awkwardly-shaped freight.

Though flatbed trucks are not enclosed, cargo can be covered with a tarp for protection.

What is the average rate for flatbed freight?

The rate for flatbed freight changes constantly. You can find the most up-to-date data from DAT. At the time of writing, the national average rate for flatbed freight was $3.47 per mile. Note that the actual rate shippers will charge will depend upon a number of factors, including the weight of your load, the type of material, the demand for shipping at the moment, and the price of gasoline.

Whys should I consider dedicated transportation insetad of just standard shipping?

The simple answer is that dedicated transportation (also called dedicated contract carriage, or DCC) gives you much more control over your supply chain and helps you to better manage costs. If you ship your loads on an individual basis, you'll expend time and energy setting up each shipment, you'll pay spot rates that are constantly changing, and you'll have limited control over schedules and routes.

With dedicated flatbed transportation, you will enjoy the convenience of shipping according to customer requirements and a contract shipping rate that will give you predictable transport costs. Shipping companies can offer different service levels that may include various kinds of logistics support. It gives you the benefits of having your own trucking fleet without having to worry about things like maintenance and driver recruitment. Another clear advantage is that you'll save time by not having to arrange each shipment individually.

What is the weight limit for a flatbed load?

Federal regulations set the limit of 80,000 pounds for gross vehicle weight. The fully loaded weight capacity for the load itself will be much smaller -- usually somewhere around 45,000 pounds. Unfortunately, weight limits can differ between states. The US Department of Transportation lists state regulations and limits on its website.