Flatbed and Specialized Transportation

ATS has been ranked as one of the top Flatbed/Specialized & Heavy Haul carriers in North America for over 55 years. With the asset based fleets of ATS Specialized and over 15,000 contracted carriers through ATS Logistics, we will have the right equipment to safely deliver your auction purchase. The terms Flatbed and Specialized refers to the type of trailer required to provide you with the proper safe mode of transportation.

Flatbed
Flatbed Trailer
A flatbed is typically either 48' or 53' in length and 102" (8' 6") in width. Unlike a van trailer which in many cases has the same external dimensions, a flatbed trailer allows us to transport freight which is 102" wide. and can be safely loaded from all sides of the trailer. The overall bed height can vary by manufacturer by a couple of inches, but in general 58" - 60" is a good standard bed height. This will accommodate a cargo height of approximately 8'6".

Step-deck
Step Deck Trailer
In the event that a lower bed is needed to accommodate the cargo height being shipped, a Step-deck trailer can be substituted. Like the flatbed trailer the overall length is typically 48' or 53' with a portion of the deck lowered which has a deck around 40", giving you an extra 20" or so for cargo height. This will accommodate a cargo height of approximately 10'2".

Specialized Double-drop RGN
Double Drop RGN Trailer
When the height of a shipment gets really tall, or the cargo can/needs to be driven onto a trailer, a double-drop or RGN (Removable Goose Neck) will be needed. This option will lower the deck height to between 22" to 24" allowing a cargo height of approximately 11'6" Like the flatbed and Step-deck trailers the overall length is typically 48' or 53' with the deck lowered to form a well of approximately 30' in length. This will accommodate a cargo height of approximately 11' 6".

Using any of these trailers Flatbed, Step-deck or RGN, the actual height of the load including the trailer height can not exceed 13' 6", the width can not exceed 8' 6" and the total gross weight including tractor (truck), trailer and cargo can not exceed 80,000 lbs. to be considered a legal load. Legal loads in most cases can be transported without requiring additional permits, escorts and route surveys throughout North America.

Loads which exceed any of these restrictions, *height, width, length and weight are considered over-dimensional and will require the services of our heavy haul and over dimensional experts.

*Some states allow a legal height of 14' or even 14' 6" but 13' 6" is the most common.

ATS, has been answering the "NOW WHAT" in transport for over 55 years.
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