Carrier guide · Understand the job on the deck
Flatbed load checklist: dimensions, tarping and loading details
A flatbed load review should establish what is being moved, how it will be loaded, how it must be protected and whether the carrier has the right equipment and capability. The rate and mileage come after those facts. Use this checklist to prepare a complete booking discussion for flatbed or step deck freight, with the carrier making the securement and operating decisions.
By Rai Dispatch · Published · Updated · 6 minute read
Sources, examples and corrections- Detailed cargo and deck information
- Tarping and loading work clarified
- Rate terms matched to the actual job
Collect dimensions for the actual pieces
Request the commodity, number of pieces, individual dimensions, total weight and loading arrangement. Ask whether dimensions include packaging, protrusions or attachments. A generic label such as “machinery” is not enough to determine whether the shipment fits the available deck.
Compare the cargo information with the actual trailer configuration, usable deck space and carrier confirmed capacity. For step deck equipment, identify which portion of the deck is intended for each piece. If a dimension, weight or routing issue suggests specialized movement, get the appropriate capability review before treating it as an ordinary booking.
| Information | Question to resolve before approval |
|---|---|
| Cargo dimensions and weight | Are the measurements complete for every piece and package? |
| Deck and loading arrangement | Where will the pieces sit and how will they be loaded? |
| Protection requirements | What tarp coverage, material or other protection is specified? |
| Site access and equipment | Who supplies the crane, forklift or other loading equipment? |
| Carrier equipment | Does the carrier have appropriate gear and capability for this load? |
| Schedule and rate | Are handling time, stops and agreed charges reflected in the terms? |
Clarify tarping requirements beyond “tarps required”
Ask what must be covered, the cargo profile and the type or extent of protection specified. Give the actual dimensions and condition of the tarps available. The required drop or coverage needs to match the loaded cargo shape, not only the trailer width.
Confirm where tarping can be performed, any site procedures and how the driver will safely access the work area. Tell the broker about work the carrier does not accept. A dispatcher should not promise a particular protection method until the carrier has reviewed the cargo and equipment information.
Keep cargo protection and securement as separate reviews
A tarp protects cargo under the agreed handling instructions; it does not establish that the cargo is safely secured. FMCSA publishes general and commodity specific securement requirements. The carrier and driver must determine the appropriate method and equipment for the actual load.
Provide the dispatcher with the gear available, while keeping securement decisions with the qualified carrier personnel. Cargo shape, weight, contact points and commodity can matter. This booking worksheet is not a tiedown calculation and does not specify how many chains or straps a load needs.
- Resolve missing cargo dimensions and loading details.
- Identify special or commodity specific requirements for carrier review.
- Confirm that the driver has a safe, workable loading and protection plan.
- Do not let a posted rate substitute for equipment or capability checks.
Check the work at both facilities
Obtain pickup and delivery contacts, appointments, operating hours and access instructions. Ask about crane or forklift availability, who performs loading and unloading, and whether the site requires additional equipment or procedures. A suitable trailer can still be a poor fit for an inaccessible job site.
For multiple picks or drops, review the full sequence and how each piece will be reached. A later stop may require removing and replacing protection or changing the loading arrangement. Present that extra work and time during the rate discussion rather than discovering it after arrival.
Compare handling time alongside the rate
Consider two hypothetical loads with the same 400 loaded miles and the same offered pay. One is a single pickup and delivery with straightforward handling. The other requires two pickups and additional tarping work. Identical mileage and compensation do not make the jobs equivalent.
Record the known extra travel, appointment windows and expected tasks for each option. Ask how additional stops, protection work and waiting are compensated and documented. Keep assumptions marked as estimates until confirmed. The carrier can then decide whether the total work fits its schedule and costs.
Recheck the booking when the cargo changes
If the shipper adds a piece, revises the dimensions or changes the loading method, compare the new information with the approved plan. Get carrier review and the appropriate written changes before relying on the original booking. The dispatcher can coordinate clarification but cannot authorize an unsuitable load.
Rai Dispatch’s flatbed fee is 5%; step deck dispatch is 5% under the published equipment schedule. Confirm classification, billing base and scope before service. Keep the final instructions and approved charges with the rate confirmation for the driver and office.
Questions carriers ask
Practical answers before you start
Do all flatbed loads need tarps?
No. Requirements depend on the commodity and shipment instructions. Confirm what protection is required before the carrier approves the load.
Is tarping compensation always separate?
No universal billing treatment applies. Ask whether it is included in the quoted rate or separately agreed, and keep the approved amount and conditions in writing.
Can a dispatcher approve the securement plan?
Dispatch can collect and communicate the cargo details. The carrier and driver must make the securement and safe operation decisions using the applicable requirements and their actual equipment.
Should step deck loads use the same review?
The same questions are useful, but the deck configuration, cargo placement and clearance need their own review. Do not treat step deck and standard flatbed dimensions as interchangeable.
References
Check the current source for entity specific information. This guide explains dispatch preparation and is not a substitute for professional advice on your operation.