Not all flatbed carriers are built the same. Fleet size tells you capacity, but it won't tell you whether a carrier handles cross-border permits, what trailer types they run, or whether their safety record holds up under scrutiny. Those differences matter enormously when you're moving oversized industrial machinery or time-sensitive construction equipment.
This guide breaks down the 10 most reliable flatbed trucking companies in the US, covering what each one does best, who they're suited for, and what shippers should weigh before making a decision.
Key Takeaways
- Flatbed trucking handles cargo too wide, tall, or heavy for enclosed trailers — including steel, lumber, machinery, and energy equipment
- Evaluate carriers on fleet capacity, trailer variety, geographic reach, and safety credentials — not name recognition alone
- Trailer type availability matters as much as fleet size — match your freight to the right equipment
- Safety credentials (CSA scores, FMCSA ratings) and geographic coverage are more predictive of performance than brand recognition alone
- Working with a 3PL that maintains a vetted carrier network can cut sourcing time and reduce the risk of booking an underqualified hauler
What Is Flatbed Trucking and Why It Matters
A flatbed trailer is an open deck with no sides, doors, or roof — making it the only practical option for cargo that's too wide, too tall, or too irregular for an enclosed van. Common flatbed loads include:
- Steel coils and structural steel
- Lumber and building materials
- Construction and industrial machinery
- Wind turbine components and utility equipment
Flatbed freight extends well beyond construction sites. According to DAT, data center construction was running at roughly $41 billion per year as of late 2025, creating sustained flatbed demand for structural steel, electrical equipment, and heavy infrastructure components. Steel output, utility grid expansion, and agricultural machinery also push consistent freight volume through this sector.
With dozens of major carriers competing for this freight, the list below narrows the field to the 10 most capable flatbed providers worth a serious look.
Top 10 Flatbed Trucking Companies in the US
These companies were shortlisted based on years in operation, annual revenue, fleet capacity, trailer variety, geographic coverage, and demonstrated service quality. Revenue figures sourced from Transport Topics' 2025 flatbed/heavy-specialized rankings unless otherwise noted.
1. Melton Truck Lines
Founded in 1954 and headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Melton operates flatbed and step-deck services across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Their focus stays squarely on open-deck freight — flatbed, 53-foot step-deck, and over-dimensional loads.
Logistics Management named Melton a 2025 Quest for Quality winner in the Truckload: Industrial and Heavy-Haul Carriers category, one of the industry's more credible third-party service recognitions.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | Flatbed, step-deck, over-dimensional, cross-border, heavy specialized |
| Fleet Size | 1,300+ tractors, 2,400+ trailers |
| Best For | Shippers needing dedicated flatbed and heavy haul coverage across North America with strong safety credentials |
2. CRST The Transportation Solution
CRST was founded in 1955 as Cedar Rapids Steel Transport and has since grown into one of the broader multi-modal carriers on this list. Their flatbed division sits alongside truckload, project logistics, and white-glove LTL capabilities — useful for shippers whose freight mix extends beyond open-deck loads.
Note that CRST's 2024 Drive to Inspire was an internal recognition event honoring 400 drivers, agents, and technicians for safety and service milestones — a reflection of their safety culture, not a third-party award.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | Flatbed, heavy specialized, truckload, project logistics, white-glove LTL, warehousing |
| Fleet Size | 4,362 vehicles (CRST Expedited legal entity per FMCSA); confirm consolidated figures with CRST |
| Best For | Shippers needing a multi-modal carrier with diversified freight capabilities and a documented safety culture |
3. Daseke Inc. (TFI International)
TFI International acquired Daseke on April 1, 2024, for approximately $1.1 billion in enterprise value, creating one of the largest flatbed and specialized carriers in North America. Daseke's merger proxy reported 4,900+ tractors and 11,000 flatbed/specialized trailers — the largest specialized trailer count on this list.
The breadth of trailer types here is the primary differentiator: Conestogas, RGNs, lowboys, extendables, and standard flatbeds give Daseke/TFI the widest equipment menu for complex freight needs.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | Flatbed, heavy specialized, LTL, brokerage, warehousing, distribution, transportation management |
| Fleet Size | 4,900+ tractors, 11,000+ flatbed/specialized trailers (per 2024 merger proxy) |
| Best For | High-volume shippers with varied flatbed needs including oversized, international, and multi-equipment loads |
4. Landstar System
Jacksonville, Florida-based Landstar operates an asset-light model: independent owner-operators (BCOs) supply most of the tractors, while Landstar owns a massive trailer fleet. This structure gives them enormous geographic flexibility without the overhead of a fully company-owned fleet.
In Transport Topics' 2025 flatbed/heavy-specialized rankings, Landstar held the No. 1 position with $1.446 billion in sector revenue. Their latest 10-K reports 8,514 BCO-supplied trucks; older figures of 9,800+ tractors reflect 2024 rankings and should be treated as historical.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | Flatbed, heavy specialized, expedited, hazmat, project cargo, cross-border, transportation management |
| Fleet Size | 8,514 BCO-supplied trucks (2025 10-K); 18,000+ trailers (2024 TT data) |
| Best For | Shippers with complex, project-based, or hazmat flatbed freight requiring flexible capacity across all geographies |
5. Prime Inc.
Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, Prime is one of the largest refrigerated and flatbed carriers in the country. Transport Topics reported $2.520 billion in total company revenue for Prime in 2024. Their flatbed division runs 850+ trucks, 900 flatbed trailers, and 400 step-decks, covering all US regions and parts of Canada.
Prime runs a dedicated flatbed boot camp training program open to new CDL graduates and experienced drivers alike. Open-deck freight demands load securement skills beyond standard van operations, and that training investment shows in driver consistency across their fleet.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | Flatbed, step-deck, heavy specialized, reefer, tank/bulk, freight brokerage |
| Fleet Size | 850+ flatbed trucks, 900 flatbeds, 400 step-decks |
| Best For | Shippers needing a financially stable carrier with flatbed and reefer cross-capability |
6. TMC Transportation
TMC was founded in 1972 in Des Moines, Iowa, and operates as an employee-owned company through an ESOP structure. Employees hold an ownership stake in the company's performance, which creates direct accountability at every level of service. Transport Topics' 2025 flatbed rankings list TMC at $677 million in estimated sector revenue.
Their logistics arm, TMC Logistics, adds 3PL and brokerage capabilities, including access to stretch multi-axle and RGN trailers for heavy industrial freight.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | Flatbed, heavy specialized, linehaul, dedicated, 3PL/brokerage |
| Fleet Size | 2,400+ tractors; verify current trailer count from TMC's official site |
| Best For | Shippers with specialized open-deck needs including heavy industrial, multi-axle, or dedicated freight |
7. Bennett Family of Companies
Bennett was founded in 1974 when J.D. and Marcia Garrison purchased the predecessor carrier. Based in McDonough, Georgia, it now describes itself as a woman-owned, family-led network of 10+ transportation businesses. Transport Topics' 2025 flatbed rankings place Bennett at $841 million in estimated sector revenue.
What separates Bennett from most carriers on this list is its government/DOD logistics authorization and secure hazmat transportation capability. These are rare credentials that matter specifically for energy, construction, and defense shippers. Oil and gas transport is explicitly documented on their service pages.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | Flatbed, heavy specialized, hazmat, oil and gas, warehousing, freight forwarding, freight brokerage, customs brokerage |
| Fleet Size | Company-owned tractors plus 3,200+ owner-operated tractors; verify current figures from Bennett directly |
| Best For | Shippers in energy, construction, or defense sectors needing flatbed plus hazmat and cross-border capabilities |
8. Mercer Transportation
Founded in 1977 in Louisville, Kentucky, Mercer operates as an irregular-route flatbed carrier with coverage across the US, Canada, Mexico border crossings, and lanes extending to Alaska and Newfoundland. Their network handles over 250,000 loads per year through 1,700+ owner-operators.
Official fleet figures: 1,300 flatbeds, 600 drop-decks, and 30 Conestogas, supported by a brokerage arm that expands capacity for lanes outside their core network.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | Flatbed, heavy specialized, drop-deck, Conestoga, cross-border, freight brokerage |
| Fleet Size | 1,700+ owner-operators, 1,300 flatbeds, 600 drop-decks, 30 Conestogas |
| Best For | Shippers needing high-volume, consistent flatbed coverage across North America with standard trailer types |
9. Maverick Transportation
Based in North Little Rock, Arkansas, Maverick has built a distinctive identity around three service areas: flatbed, commercial/architectural glass hauling, and marine transport. Glass is one of the most damage-sensitive freight categories in trucking, and Maverick's specialization in it requires above-average load securement precision and driver training across the entire fleet.
Transport Topics' 2024 data listed Maverick at $423 million in estimated revenue. Their official site reports 1,600+ trucks with a fleet cycling approach that keeps equipment age low.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | Flatbed, heavy specialized, dry van, freight brokerage, dedicated, glass and marine hauling |
| Fleet Size | 1,600+ company-owned trucks; verify trailer counts from Maverick's site |
| Best For | Shippers in glass, marine, construction, or industrial sectors needing a modern, safety-focused flatbed partner |
10. PS Logistics
PS Logistics was founded in 2004 (not 2018 as sometimes cited) and is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. It has grown aggressively through acquisitions to become one of the largest flatbed operators in the country. Transport Topics' 2025 rankings placed PS Logistics at No. 1 with $940 million in flatbed/heavy-specialized sector revenue.
Current fleet figures from their official site: 4,000+ power units and 8,500+ trailers, including stretch trailers for loads up to 90 feet and Conestogas. The company cycles equipment regularly to maintain modern fleet standards.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | Flatbed, heavy specialized, freight brokerage, temperature-controlled, bulk hauling |
| Fleet Size | 4,000+ power units, 8,500+ trailers |
| Best For | Shippers needing high-capacity flatbed coverage with stretch trailer options and modern fleet reliability |
How We Selected the Top 10 Flatbed Trucking Companies
Selection Criteria
These companies were evaluated on four primary factors:
- Annual revenue — a proxy for service scale, financial stability, and capacity depth, drawn from Transport Topics' 2025 flatbed/heavy-specialized carrier rankings
- Fleet capacity and trailer variety — the number of tractors matters less than whether the right trailer types are available for your specific freight
- Years of operation — carriers with 40+ years have navigated freight recessions, driver shortages, and regulatory shifts that test operational resilience
- Demonstrated service capabilities — cross-border coverage, safety credentials, and specialized freight authorizations relevant to shippers
What Shippers Often Get Wrong
Choosing a carrier by name recognition alone is a common and costly mistake. Three factors matter more than brand size:
- CSA scores and FMCSA safety ratings — check FMCSA's Safety Measurement System for the specific legal entity operating your freight, not just the parent company name
- Trailer type availability — a carrier with 10,000 tractors that doesn't run RGNs or Conestogas is useless for loads that need them
- Core operating regions — carriers have lane strengths and weaknesses; their average on-time performance in your specific lanes matters more than national averages
Applying these criteria is how Sims Global Solutions approaches carrier selection on behalf of its clients. Operating as both an asset-based carrier (with RGN, lowboy, multi-axle, and double-drop trailers) and a freight brokerage with access to 150,000+ vetted carriers, Sims Global Solutions handles flatbed and heavy haul freight across the US. Their in-house Carrier Procurement Team runs a 30-point vetting process covering operating authority, safety history, and fraud screening before any carrier handles a load.
Conclusion
Flatbed shipping isn't a commodity purchase. The carrier that's right for a steel coil shipment from Pennsylvania to Texas isn't necessarily right for wind turbine components requiring pilot cars and state permits through multiple jurisdictions.
Before committing to any carrier, verify:
- Trailer types available for your specific freight
- Geographic strength in your actual lanes
- FMCSA safety data for the operating legal entity
- Cross-border authorization if relevant
- Technology capabilities for shipment visibility
Those requirements are a starting point, not a one-time exercise. Freight needs shift as volumes grow, projects evolve, and lanes change — what works today may fall short six months from now. Revisit carrier performance regularly rather than defaulting to the last carrier that worked.
Sims Global Solutions provides access to a fully vetted flatbed and heavy haul carrier network, real-time GPS tracking, and dedicated operations support. Contact the team at ShipSims.com or call 855-326-8671 to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best flatbed trucking companies in the US to work for?
Melton Truck Lines, TMC Transportation (employee-owned through an ESOP), and Maverick USA consistently rank highly for driver training, pay, and fleet quality. Note that driver-focused rankings differ from shipper-focused ones — a carrier strong on retention may not be the right fit for your freight needs.
Which US states are best for flatbed trucking?
Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana generate the highest flatbed freight activity, driven by manufacturing output, energy sector demand, and construction volume. DAT reported Texas outbound flatbed rates hitting $3.40/mile in June 2026 — a rate indicator of tight supply relative to demand in that market. Most major carriers on this list operate nationally.
What flatbed loads pay the most?
Oversized loads, heavy haul freight, steel coils, and energy sector equipment — including wind turbine components and pipeline materials — typically command the highest rates. Permitting complexity, specialized equipment, and limited carrier availability all drive premium pricing.
What is the difference between a flatbed and a step-deck trailer?
A flatbed has a single level deck sitting roughly 5 feet above the road, suited for standard oversized cargo. A step-deck has two levels — its lower deck sits about 3 to 3.5 feet above the road, allowing taller cargo to move within legal height limits. Both are open-deck trailer types; the choice depends on your freight's height.
How much does flatbed trucking cost?
Flatbed rates vary based on distance, freight dimensions and weight, permit requirements, and current market conditions. According to DAT Trendlines, the national flatbed linehaul spot rate was $2.26/mile for the week preceding February 24, 2026. For current spot and contract benchmarks, check DAT's live Trendlines or FreightWaves before negotiating rates.
What industries use flatbed trucking the most?
Construction, manufacturing, steel and metals, energy (oil, gas, and wind), and agriculture rely most heavily on flatbed trucking. Data center construction is a fast-growing demand source — structural steel, transformers, and large electrical components all require open-deck transport.
