Open-deck freight — anything that loads from the side, top, or rear rather than through dock doors — is a world of its own. Steel, lumber, machinery, and construction materials all move on flat trailers, and picking the right one starts with a tape measure.
The three workhorses
- Flatbed: the standard 48–53 ft open deck sitting about 5 feet off the ground. Perfect for building materials, steel coils, and palletized freight that can be loaded by forklift or crane from any side.
- Step-deck (drop-deck): a lower rear deck that allows taller loads — typically up to about 10 feet — without an oversize permit. The go-to when a load is too tall for a flatbed but still legal.
- RGN (Removable Gooseneck): the deck sits lowest of all and the nose detaches into a ramp, so wheeled and tracked equipment can drive right on. Built for heavy machinery.
Choosing between them
The decision usually comes down to height and how the freight loads:
- Loads under ~8.5 ft tall that load from the side or top: flatbed.
- Loads around 9–10 ft tall: step-deck keeps you legal without permits.
- Drive-on machinery or very tall/heavy pieces: RGN.
Securement is the job
On open deck, nothing is protected by trailer walls, so securement is the load. Federal cargo-securement rules dictate the number of tie-downs by cargo length and weight, working load limits for chains and straps, and the use of edge protectors, dunnage, and blocking. Tarping adds another skilled step: steel and lumber are commonly tarped to protect against weather and road debris.
On a flatbed the freight is only as safe as its tie-downs. Correct securement is not an accessory to the haul — it is the haul.
Blue Eagle sources experienced open-deck carriers who own the right trailer for the dimensions and know the securement rules cold, so specialized loads arrive intact and legal.