Steel, machinery, and construction materials ride out in the open, and Long Road Transportation runs flatbed trucking and open deck delivery for that freight on its own flatbed, step deck, and RGN trailers across the Pacific Northwest. Open deck means the load rides on an exposed deck and loads from the side or the rear, the way freight moves when it is too large or awkward for an enclosed trailer.
Call dispatch or request a quote for your next open deck load.
Long Road Transportation runs its own open-deck fleet under USDOT 3388302 and MC 113242, hauling deck freight out of the Pacific Northwest since 2020.
US DOT3388302
MC113242
Since2020
Why shippers run open deck freight with Long Road
Long Road runs its own deck trailers, and the drivers and dispatchers plan the securement, the permits, and the route before the load leaves the yard.
Own flatbed, step deck, and RGN fleet
Long Road owns and services its open-deck trailers in its own repair shop, so the right deck for your load is available when you book it.
Securement and permits handled
Long Road secures every load with the chains, straps, and tarps the freight calls for, and sorts the weight check, the route, and any permits up front so the load runs clean.
Drivers who secure the load
Long Road's drivers handle deck freight day in and day out, from strapping a coil to tarping building materials, and hold the OW permits needed across the United States.
THE RIGHT DECK FOR YOUR LOAD
Call dispatch at (425) 800-4609 with your dimensions and weight, and Long Road sizes the flatbed, step deck, or RGN and plans the securement and route.
Open deck covers three trailers, each matched to a different load. Dispatch matches the deck to the freight.
Flatbed
A flatbed has no roof or walls, so the load goes on and comes off from any side by forklift. It carries steel coils, construction materials, and industrial machinery, and it reaches job sites that load in the open.
Step deck
A step deck has a lower deck that rides closer to the ground, which clears taller freight while staying within legal height. It suits machinery, vehicles, and building materials that need the extra vertical room. Long Road runs a Conestoga step deck with a rolling tarp system over the deck, so freight that cannot take weather or road spray still loads and unloads from the side.
RGN
A removable gooseneck (RGN) detaches at the front and lowers into a ramp, so drivable machinery like dozers, tractors, and excavators rolls straight onto the deck. That keeps the heaviest, tallest equipment loading quickly and safely.
What rides on an open deck
Open deck is the trailer for freight that travels on an exposed deck. Long Road hauls steel and metal stock, construction and building materials, industrial machinery, and equipment headed for plants, yards, and job sites. Freight that loads from the side or the top, or that runs too tall for a dry van, belongs on a flatbed, step deck, or RGN.
Securing and routing a deck load
A deck load is only as safe as its securement, so Long Road straps, chains, and tarps each load to hold it through the run and protect it from the weather. Before the truck rolls, dispatch checks the weight and dimensions, plans the route, and clears any permits the load needs. From pickup to delivery, the driver, the dispatcher, and your receiving contact stay in sync, with live tracking on the load.
When open deck fits, and when a load needs oversize or out-of-gauge handling
Open deck fits deck freight that rides within legal width, height, and weight. For loads that run over-dimensional or overweight and need permits and escorts, Long Road runs them through its oversize and out-of-gauge heavy-haul service. Temperature-controlled loads ride on a reefer, and palletized freight that fits an enclosed trailer rides in a dry van. Tell dispatch what you are moving and they will match the trailer to the load.
SECURED, PERMITTED, ON SCHEDULE
Call (425) 800-4609 for steel, machinery, and deck freight moved on Long Road's own open-deck fleet, strapped and routed before it leaves the yard.
Deck freight off the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma
A lot of deck freight comes off the water. Long Road moves breakbulk and deck cargo from the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma on its container drayage runs, then carries it on an open deck for regional or long-haul delivery. Open deck is one part of Long Road's wider OTR and long-haul network across the Pacific Northwest.
2020
Asset-based since
200+
Private chassis & equipment
24/7
Capacity & repair shop
WA/OR/MT/ID
cross-border to Canada
Common questions about open deck freight
What affects open deck freight rates?
Open deck rates track the weight and dimensions of the load, the lane and distance, the securement and tarping it needs, the season, and fuel. Because each deck load is different, Long Road quotes it on its specifics.
What are the standard flatbed dimensions and weight limits?
A standard flatbed runs 48 or 53 feet long and about 8.5 feet wide, and carries roughly 48,000 lb of cargo within legal limits, with freight up to about 8.5 feet tall riding on the deck. A step deck clears taller loads while staying legal.
Do you ship open deck freight cross-border to Canada?
Yes. Open deck loads run cross-border to Canada on Long Road's long-haul lanes, most often into British Columbia. See cross-border to Canada for the details.
YOU CALL IT, WE HAUL IT.
Call dispatch on (425) 800-4609 with your pickup, dimensions, and weight for an open deck quote.
