Tarp & Coil Freight
If you're throwing 8-foot drop tarps or hauling steel coils, you deserve premium rates. We negotiate heavy tarp pay and secure top-tier lumber and steel freight nationwide.
Step Deck & Conestoga WelcomeFlatbed Truck Dispatch Service
Flatbed Truck Dispatch Service
For Owner Operators
Maximize your flatbed revenue with premium freight. From steel coils and lumber to oversized machinery, our expert dispatchers secure the highest-paying loads, negotiate top rates, and handle your permits and route planning 24/7.
Experts in Heavy Haul. We Are Flatbed Specialists.
Flatbed freight isn't for rookies. Tarps, straps, coils, and permits require a dispatch team that understands the complexities of open-deck transportation. We make sure you get paid for the extra work.
Oversize & Permits
Hauling wide or over-dimensional loads? We handle the tedious paperwork. Our team assists with oversize permits, routing requirements, and coordinating pilot cars.
Step Deck & Conestoga
We don't just book standard 48' or 53' flatbeds. If you operate a Step Deck (Drop Deck), Double Drop, or a Conestoga trailer, we match you with specialized freight that fits.
Aggressive Rate Negotiation
Flatbed capacity is valuable. Our dedicated dispatchers negotiate aggressively on lane rates, detention time, and layovers so you never leave money on the table.
Intelligent Routing
Open-deck freight requires smart routing. We plan your trips to avoid hazardous weather zones, low bridges, and extreme scales, minimizing your deadhead miles.
Invoicing & Factoring
Once the load is delivered and strapped down, we handle the administrative headache. We submit BOLs and Rate Cons to your factoring company for fast 24-hour payouts.
Equipment & Carrier Requirements
Flatbed dispatching requires fully equipped professionals. To secure the highest paying loads from premium brokers, our partner carriers must have the right gear. Here is what you need to get started with Nexloads.
Submit Your Carrier Packet-
Active Authority: Active MC & DOT number (We welcome new flatbed authorities!).
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Insurance: Minimum $1,000,000 Auto Liability & $100,000 Cargo Insurance.
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Securement Gear: Heavy-duty straps, chains, binders, edge protectors, and coil racks.
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Tarping Equipment: 4ft, 6ft, or 8ft drop tarps are highly recommended for premium lumber and machinery freight.
Hit The Road In 4 Easy Steps
Time is money. Complete our simple onboarding process today, and let our flatbed dispatch service book your next high-paying load.
1
Sign the Agreement
Review our simple, commission-only dispatch agreement. No hidden fees, no forced dispatch.
2
Send Documents
Send your MC Authority, W-9, and COI. Let us know if you have a Step Deck, Conestoga, or standard Flatbed.
3
Plan Your Route
Tell your dedicated dispatcher your preferred lanes, tarping preferences, and home time needs.
4
Get Loaded
We negotiate the rates, secure the flatbed freight, handle the permits, and send you the Rate Con.
How Flatbed Dispatch Fees Work
Most flatbed dispatch services are paid a percentage of the gross revenue on each load they book. Across the industry that commonly falls between 5% and 10%, and it is only charged when your truck hauls a load. At Nexloads, flatbed, step deck and RGN carriers with one to ten trucks are on our 5% weekly plan; see our pricing page for details. A flat weekly fee is the other common model, but it means you pay even in a slow week.
Flatbed freight takes more work than dry van freight, so look at what the fee covers: load searching, tarp pay negotiation, permit and routing help for oversized loads, broker setup, rate confirmation review and next-load planning, with no setup fee, no monthly minimum and no long-term contract. Nexloads works on a commission-only basis. See our dispatch pricing page or read how much a truck dispatcher costs.
What Freight Does a Flatbed Haul?
Open-deck freight is where flatbed owner-operators earn their premium. These are the main load types we target:
- Steel and coils: coils, beams, pipe and plate that need coil racks, chains and careful securement.
- Lumber and building materials: loads that usually require tarping and pay extra for it when negotiated up front.
- Machinery and heavy equipment: construction, farm and industrial equipment, often on a step deck or double drop.
- Oversize and permitted loads: wide or over-dimensional freight that needs permits, route surveys and sometimes pilot cars.
- Weather-sensitive freight: finished goods that need a Conestoga rolling tarp system instead of loose tarps.
For lanes and rates in one of the busiest flatbed regions, read flatbed trucking loads in the South.
Flatbed, Step Deck or Conestoga: Which Trailer Earns More?
The best trailer depends on the freight in your lanes. A standard flatbed is the most flexible and has the largest pool of loads. A step deck has a lower main deck, which lets you haul taller equipment without going over legal height, so it usually opens up more machinery and heavy equipment loads. A Conestoga adds a rolling tarp system that protects the freight and saves you the time and risk of tarping by hand, but it carries less weight than a standard flatbed.
Many owner-operators start on a flatbed and add a step deck once they know their lanes. Tell your dispatcher what you run and what you plan to buy, and we will match freight to your trailer. To compare earnings across trailer types, read flatbed vs dry van vs reefer and how step deck owner-operators find better loads.
Securement and Tarping: Why Flatbed Pays More
Flatbed drivers do physical work that dry van drivers do not: loading, strapping, chaining, tarping and checking the load along the way. FMCSA cargo securement rules set minimum tiedown requirements for the load, and a failed roadside inspection can cost you time and money. That extra labor and responsibility is the reason flatbed rates are higher.
It also means tarp pay and securement should never be an afterthought. A dispatcher should negotiate tarp pay as a separate line on the rate confirmation, confirm the freight weight and dimensions before you accept, and make sure you have the right gear in the truck before you head to the shipper.
Do You Need a CDL to Run Flatbed?
A standard 48ft or 53ft flatbed pulled by a semi tractor puts the combined weight rating well over 26,001 lbs, so a Class A CDL is required. Smaller flatbed setups, like a one-ton truck with a gooseneck flatbed trailer, may stay under the CDL limit depending on the ratings, which is how many hotshot owner-operators run. See our hotshot dispatch service if that fits your truck. Hauling for hire across state lines also generally requires your own USDOT number and MC authority, so confirm the current rules with the FMCSA. New to trucking? Start with our guide for new trucking companies.
How to Choose a Flatbed Dispatcher
A dispatcher who only books dry van loads will not know how to price tarps, permits or step deck freight. Ask these questions before you sign:
- Do they dispatch flatbed every week? Ask how they handle tarp pay, coil freight and oversize permits.
- Do they know your trailer type? Flatbed, step deck, double drop and Conestoga each have different freight.
- Are the fees in writing? You should know the percentage and exactly what it covers.
- Is there forced dispatch or a long contract? You should approve every load and be free to leave.
- Can you reach them on the road? Securement questions and delays at the shipper cannot wait for office hours.
For a longer checklist, read how to find the best truck dispatcher and compare roles in freight broker vs dispatcher.
Common Flatbed Dispatching Mistakes to Avoid
- Not getting tarp pay in writing. If it is not on the rate confirmation, you may not get paid for it.
- Ignoring empty miles. Flatbed freight is strong out of industrial areas and can be thin coming back. See how to reduce deadhead miles.
- Accepting the first rate offered. Brokers expect a counteroffer. Read our tips on negotiating freight rates.
- Forgetting real costs. Tarps, straps, chains, permits and fuel add up. Start with owner-operator trucking costs.
Flatbed Dispatch FAQs
Straight answers for owner-operators considering a flatbed dispatch partner.
Flatbed typically pays a premium over dry van due to tarping and securement work. We target $3.00+ per mile on flatbed lanes and negotiate tarp pay separately so you're compensated for the extra labor.
Yes. We don't just book standard 48' and 53' flatbeds — tell us your trailer type and we'll match you with freight suited to Step Deck, Double Drop, or Conestoga equipment specifically.
You'll need your own securement gear (straps, chains, binders, edge protectors) and tarps. We recommend 4ft, 6ft, or 8ft drop tarps for premium lumber and machinery freight. We don't supply equipment, but we prioritize loads that match what you're already carrying.
Yes. Our dispatchers assist with oversize permit paperwork, routing requirements, and coordinating pilot cars when a load requires them, so you're not stuck navigating state-by-state permit rules alone.
Absolutely, we welcome new flatbed authorities. You'll need active MC & DOT numbers plus minimum $1,000,000 Auto Liability and $100,000 Cargo Insurance to get started.
That's fine — our dispatchers can point you toward loads with lighter tarping requirements first (like coil or machinery with minimal covering) while you build confidence before taking on heavier 8-foot tarp jobs.
Nexloads charges a small percentage of gross revenue, with no setup fees, no monthly minimums and no long-term contracts. See our dispatch pricing page for details.
A 48ft or 53ft flatbed pulled by a semi tractor requires a Class A CDL. Smaller gooseneck flatbed setups may stay under the CDL weight limit depending on the truck and trailer ratings. Nexloads works with both CDL and non-CDL operators.
Yes. New flatbed authorities are welcome at Nexloads. We help with broker setup packets and certificates of insurance, and we negotiate rates so a new carrier is not taken advantage of.
No. Nexloads does not do forced dispatch. We present the best-paying options and you decide which loads you run.
Flatbed Dispatch Service Near Me: Truck Dispatch Services Across the USA
Searching for a flatbed dispatch service near me? Nexloads provides truck dispatch services USA-wide for flatbed and step deck owner operators, working remotely so your home base does not limit the loads we can find. We handle load searching, rate negotiation, broker paperwork and next-load planning, with no long-term contracts and no forced dispatch. Flatbed is one of the tightest equipment markets right now, which makes having an experienced dispatcher on your side more valuable.
Related Dispatch Guides & Services
- How Step Deck Owner-Operators Find Better Loads
- Flatbed Trucking Loads in the South: Best Routes and Rates
- Flatbed vs Dry Van vs Reefer: Which Trailer Makes More Money
- All Truck Dispatch Services
- Truck Dispatch Pricing
- Hotshot Dispatch Service
- Dry Van Dispatch Service
- Owner Operator Dispatch Service
- Truck Dispatch FAQ
Ready for Premium Flatbed Rates?
Partner with a flatbed truck dispatch service that respects your hard work. Let Nexloads handle the heavy lifting of logistics, permits, and negotiation.
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