Flatbed Semi-Trailers

Flatbed semi-trailers are built for container transport, machinery and general cargo. Container locks, side rails and lashing points are configured to the load.

Axle count, payload and dimensions are set per order. Send us the cargo and route and we will confirm a specification.

Flatbed Semi-Trailer

Not applicableNot applicable3 axles

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Specifying a flatbed semi-trailer for your cargo

A flatbed carries the loads that do not fit inside a body: steel coil, pipe, timber, machinery and containers that need to be lashed down. Because nothing is enclosed, the deck and the lashing points do the work that walls would otherwise do. Getting those two elements right matters more than the headline payload figure.

What to settle before quotation

• Deck length and width — driven by the longest and widest item in your regular cargo, not by the occasional oversized load.
• Deck height and floor thickness — a lower deck improves stability on tall loads but reduces ground clearance on poor roads.
• Twist locks — required if you carry containers, and the positions must match the container sizes you actually move.
• Lashing points — the count and spacing should follow how you secure loads, not a default pattern.
• Axle configuration — set by the legal gross weight in the destination country.

Deck options that change the build

Flat decks are quoted in several forms: a plain steel floor for general cargo, a timber or composite floor where loads need to grip, and a checkered plate floor for mixed use. Side posts and stake pockets are added when loads need lateral restraint without a full wall. None of these options change the headline specification sheet much, but each one changes how the trailer behaves in daily use, so they are confirmed against your cargo list rather than chosen from a picture.

Export and delivery notes

Flatbed trailers ship knocked-down or fully assembled depending on the route and the receiving port. Loading supervision and pre-shipment photographs are provided, and the shipping configuration is agreed before booking so that port handling charges do not come as a surprise. Documentation is issued against the actual order, not a template.

Frequently asked questions

Can a flatbed carry both containers and general cargo?
Yes, if twist locks are fitted at the correct positions for your container sizes. A flatbed with twist locks becomes a dual-purpose trailer, but the deck still needs to be flat and clear enough for the container to seat properly.

What deck height should I choose?
Lower decks improve stability and ease loading of tall cargo, but they reduce clearance on unsealed roads. The right height depends on the road conditions on your regular routes rather than on a single preferred number.

Is a side wall trailer a better choice than a flatbed?
Only if your cargo needs lateral restraint. A flatbed is more flexible for oversized and irregular loads, while a side wall trailer protects loose or palletised cargo. Many buyers operate both rather than choosing one.