---
title: "flatbed truck: Definition and Meaning | NPSA"
description: "A flatbed truck has a flat, level bed with no sides or roof. It can be a rigid truck or a tractor with a trailer."
url: https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/flatbed-truck
publisher: National Portable Storage Association (NPSA)
phone: "(816) 960-6552"
email: info@npsa.org
---

Delivery equipment

# flatbed truck

A flatbed truck has a flat, level bed with no sides or roof. It can be a rigid truck or a tractor with a trailer. A flatbed can haul a container but needs a crane or forklift at the drop site to unload it.

## Why it matters

A flatbed is a general freight truck, and many carriers own one. It can carry one 40 ft container or two 20 ft containers. Operators use flatbeds for long hauls and yard-to-yard moves because they are widely available and cost less. The catch is unloading. The customer must supply a forklift or crane, or the container stays on the truck. A common mistake is to book a flatbed for a site with no lifting gear. Check the lifting method before you book. Confirm that the lift gear can handle the container weight, and that the driver knows who is responsible for unloading and securing the load.

[Read: Container delivery equipment: Tilt-bed, roll-off, side-loader, and crane trucks](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/container-delivery-equipment)

Definition source: [supercubes.com](https://www.supercubes.com/blog/container-delivery-basics-tilt-bed-flat-bed-or-chassis)

## Related terms

[### tilt-bed truck A tilt-bed truck has a bed that tilts down toward the ground. A winch pulls a container onto or off the bed. It places a 20 ft or 40 ft container on the ground without a crane or forklift. It is the most common delivery truck in portable storage.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/tilt-bed-truck)[### crane truck A crane truck is a truck with a crane mounted on the bed or chassis. It lifts a container off a trailer, over fences or onto a tight spot. It is also called a boom truck or loader crane truck.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/crane-truck)[### drop deck trailer A drop deck trailer, often called a step deck, is a flatbed trailer with a lower rear deck. The lower deck allows taller loads to stay within legal height limits. It is used for tall or heavy freight. Some carriers call it a step-deck trailer.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/drop-deck-trailer)[### chassis A chassis is a skeletal semi-trailer built to carry a container. It has twistlocks at the corners that lock into the container's corner castings. Chassis are used with tractors to move containers on roads between ports, rail yards and depots.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/chassis)[### container forklift A container forklift is a forklift used to lift or load containers. It may lift an empty container by its forklift pockets, or it may drive into a container to load pallets. Heavy-duty container handlers are a different class of machine.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/container-forklift)[### reach stacker A reach stacker is a vehicle that handles intermodal cargo containers in terminals and ports. It has a telescopic boom that lifts, carries and stacks loaded containers several high. It grips them by the corner castings. It is built for heavy, high-volume yards.](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/reach-stacker)

[All 220 terms](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary)

For the industry

## Grow your portable storage business with NPSA

Members get event rates, the Community Forum, the directory listing and leads from this website.

[Join NPSA](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/join-us)[See member benefits](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/member-benefits)

Need storage?

## Get quotes from NPSA member companies

Tell us what you need and where. A member company that serves your area will contact you.

[Request a quote](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/request-a-quote)[Which unit do I need?](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/find-storage)