Flatbed dispatch for owner-operators
Open deck for freight loaded from the sides or top, secured with straps and chains.
We find and negotiate flatbed loads on your lanes, coordinate pickups and deliveries, and handle detention, TONU, lumper and paperwork. 5% of the rate con or $250 a week, no contract.
Flatbed
An open trailer with no sides or roof, commonly 48 or 53 feet. Freight is loaded by crane or forklift from the side or top and secured by the driver with straps, chains and sometimes tarps.
Freight it commonly carries
- Steel coils, beams and pipe
- Lumber and building materials
- Machinery and industrial equipment
- Construction supplies
Typical shipments
- Steel from a mill to a fabrication shop
- Lumber from a yard to a construction supplier
- Equipment from a manufacturer to a job site
Equipment & capacity considerations
- Cargo securement must meet federal rules: number of tie-downs, edge protection and working load limits.
- Some loads require tarps; confirm tarp size and whether tarp pay is offered.
- Freight wider, taller or longer than legal limits needs permits.
- Weather can affect loading, tarping and safe driving.
Common challenges
- Tarping and securement time that isn't always paid
- Job-site deliveries with limited access or no forklift
- Oversize details that change after booking
- Cargo damage risk from poor securement
How THC dispatch helps
- Find flatbed loads that fit your deck and gear
- Confirm dimensions, weight, tarp needs and tarp pay before booking
- Ask about loading and unloading equipment at each stop
- Document delays for detention requests
Check before accepting a load
- Length, width, height and weight of the freight
- Tarps, chains, straps and edge protection needed
- Whether permits are needed and who arranges them
- Crane or forklift available at pickup and delivery
General industry information. Weight, dimensions, permits and endorsements are checked for each load against current rules.
Flatbed dispatch pricing
Same two options for every truck type. You choose.
5%
of the rate confirmation total (linehaul + fuel surcharge)
$250
per week, only for weeks we book at least one load
No contract. Accessorials such as detention, layover, TONU and lumper are not included in the 5%. Compare both options with an example week.
Start flatbed dispatch
A dispatcher contacts you to talk through your lanes and loads. Asking costs nothing.
Flatbed dispatch questions
Do I need my own tarps for flatbed loads?
Usually yes. Many flatbed loads require the carrier to provide tarps, chains and straps. We confirm what the load requires and whether tarp pay is offered before you book.
Who arranges permits for an oversize flatbed load?
It varies by load and agreement. We confirm before booking whether permits are needed, who orders them and who pays.
How is the dispatch fee calculated?
You choose one: 5% of the rate confirmation total (linehaul + fuel surcharge), or $250 per week, only for weeks we book at least one load. Accessorials such as detention, layover, TONU and lumper are not included in the 5%.
Are loads or rates guaranteed?
No. Load availability, rates, accessorial approvals and payment timing depend on the market, the broker and the agreements for each load.
Who approves each load?
You do. We don't book a load without your OK.