The Logistics Of Flatbed Shipping
When planning the logistics of a flatbed shipping route, there are a few things you'll need to consider. Knowing what factors may affect your flatbed shipping route will help your flatbed transportation company to be prepared to face any challenges that may occur.
Watch The Weather
Flatbed trucks are great for moving large equipment and supplies but can be susceptible to the weather. If you have a weather sensitive product like wood or construction materials, you will have to plan your shipping times around wet days which could damage your product. Windy days can be another factor to watch out for as you may need more restraints for your load than normal.
Pay Attention To Dimensions
If you're in the business of shipping anything custom, pay attention to the size of the item. If the item is large enough that it qualifies as a wide load, your usual hauler may not be able to ship it for you. If your usual flatbed shipper can ship it for you, it may cost a few thousand more than you're accustomed to paying. The dimensions and weight of an object require a flatbed shipper to follow specific rules and regulations that may cost you more than you're used to paying.
It always pays to talk to the hauler for a quote before you begin production on a potentially oversized item. This will allow you to adjust the billing for your customer if the shipping charges start racking up.
Learn The Legalities
In flatbed shipping, it's very important to know the rules and regulations that impact your shipping line. If you don't know the weight and size limitations of your flatbed trucks you could incur costly fines and fees that will put a serious dent in your profit.
It's always best to know the legal requirements for every truck that you'll be using to ship. In addition, it's very important to not push those limits right to their edges. If you're even a little bit over in weight or size of your product, you can be fined. However, mistakes do happen, so it's important to budget for some fines to occur.
If you're interested in starting a flatbed shipping route for your business, talk to a flatbed hauler. They will be able to advise you and make suggestions based on your specific product or route. Knowing exactly what to expect on your shipping route will help your business's shipping endeavors be successful.
