Flatbed Shipping: Busiest Months and Pricing Peaks

Flatbed Shipping

Flatbed shipping stands out as a versatile solution for carrying oversized, heavy, and unconventional freight. For those involved in the transportation business, understanding the nuances of flatbed seasonality can offer a competitive edge. In this article, we'll delve into the months when the flatbed season is at its busiest and explore the factors contributing to pricing spikes, including the intriguing relationship between tarping accessorial fees and weather protection.

Just like nature has its seasons, the flatbed shipping industry experiences fluctuations throughout the year. While flatbed shipments occur year-round, certain months witness a surge in demand due to a variety of factors. Spring and summer are traditionally regarded as the busiest months for flatbed transportation, spanning from March to August. The construction industry, agricultural sector, and even the manufacturing domain tend to ramp up their operations during these months.

Construction Boom and Flatbed Demand

Spring marks the beginning of construction projects after winter's hiatus. Contractors and builders kick into high gear, requiring an abundance of construction materials, machinery, and equipment to be transported via flatbeds. Whether it's steel beams for a skyscraper or lumber for new housing developments, flatbeds play a pivotal role in the construction supply chain.

Agriculture and Seasonal Movements

Agricultural activities also surge during these months, demanding the transport of heavy farm machinery, tractors, and other oversized equipment. Farmers prepare for planting and harvesting seasons, leading to increased demand for flatbed shipping services.

Manufacturing and Industrial Demand

Manufacturers often schedule plant maintenance and equipment upgrades during the warmer months, boosting demand for flatbed transportation. Industries ranging from aerospace to automotive require the movement of large machinery and components, which are ideally suited for flatbed carriers.

Flatbed Pricing Peaks

With increased demand comes the inevitable rise in prices. The law of supply and demand plays a crucial role in dictating flatbed shipping rates during peak months. As industries scramble for available capacity, carriers can command higher prices for their services. 2023 has been much easier however to source capacity relative to 2022 & 2021 as indicated in the load/truck ratio. Loads display demand while trucks display supply, and with a drop in loads (demand) the pricing tends to fall. This is why TLI has been able to procure much more economical pricing in 2023 then in prior years.

Tarping Accessorial Fees and Weather Protection

Interestingly, the correlation between flatbed shipping prices and tarping accessorial fees is a noteworthy aspect of the pricing puzzle. In winter months, shippers, manufacturing companies, and distributors face the challenge of protecting their freight from the elements, particularly snow. This results in an uptick in the application of tarping accessorial fees. These fees cover the cost of securely tarping the freight to shield it from adverse weather conditions, ensuring the cargo reaches its destination undamaged by the elements.

Flatbed Pricing Summary

Understanding the patterns and dynamics of the flatbed shipping industry can be immensely beneficial. As we've explored, the spring and summer months are the busiest for flatbed shipping, driven by construction, agriculture, and manufacturing needs. Pricing peaks during these months are a result of heightened demand and the associated challenges carriers face in meeting it. Furthermore, the relationship between tarping accessorial fees and weather protection showcases how external factors can influence pricing trends.



Whether you're a shipper seeking the optimal time to transport your oversized cargo or a carrier navigating pricing strategies, the ebb and flow of flatbed shipping demand and pricing is a captivating puzzle to unravel.